Monday’s program began with reports from the Postulata Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Special Interest Group. Paul Donoghue, on behalf of the Postulata Committee, indicated that all postulata received by the Chapter have been distributed to the topic groups for their attention or will be attended to in another way by the Chapter.
Paul Cooney presented the Finance Committee’s recommendations for the capitulants’ consideration.
The capitulants’ comments will be incorporated in the committee’s formal recommendations towards the end of the Chapter.
Pat Devlin presented an update from the Special Interest Group, “Context and Mission”. The committee is focusing on how we, as Marists, can meet the needs of people in the postmodern world.
As mentioned a few days ago, the capitulants have commenced a very important process of discernment which accompanies the election of the Assistants General.
Yesterday Fr John Hannan provided the capitulants with an outline of the ‘desired qualities’ of a General Council team. The capitulants also gave him, confidentially and in writing, their personal suggestions concerning a possible General Council team.
At 21.00 today the members of the Chapter entered into a formal process of discernment that began with some input from Fr Jim Christie, SJ, and a period of silent prayer in the Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament. It is anticipated that the election of the first two General Assist ants will take place Tuesday, 15th September.