The Chanel Community in Coolock (Ireland) recently welcomed for a week Lachie Bartlett, a second-year seminarian from Casa Di Maria in Rome. Accompanied by Fr Martin McAnaney, he was assisting in the efforts of the Marist education patronage body, Marist Education Authority Schools, in their efforts to further Marist ethos and leadership training in education. 

Here are some thoughts Lachie shares with us about the experience:

"Over the past week, I made the Chanel Community my home. On arrival I was welcomed with leftover roast lamb and half a pound of butter—which went down a treat! In visiting the three schools, my hope was to get a better sense of their progress in forming staff and students within the Marist ethos, as well as to present on how the approach of the Young Marist Organisation to this formation in New Zealand. I presented to the student members of the Ember Teams (Year 5 Leaders), the chaplains, and the teaching staff in their first year regarding Servant Leadership, the Call of the Seventy-Two, and Jean-Claude Colin’s call for Marist educators to be like Mary.

All three schools are, in their own way, navigating what it means to share the Gospel with young adults today. My primary goal for the week was for the schools to further realise that Christian leadership - in the Marist tradition - is perhaps the most compelling need in the Church and among young people today. While social justice is often one of the most neglected aspects of Church teaching, it is vital to daily life and outreach. However, it must remain rooted in the person of Christ. Finally, it was wonderful to spend time with the Chanel community in Dublin and to visit the communities in both Dundalk and St Teresa’s, Donore Avenue.

What struck me most was the openness of the schools, especially the staff, to further formation. They all remarked that their school was "special." I believe this "something special" is the Marist charism, which is why ongoing formation led by laypeople for laypeople is essential to articulate that spirit and carry it forward. I cannot thank the MEAS Board enough for entrusting me with this experience, nor the Chanel community for their incredible hospitality."

Lachie Bartlett meeting Students in Chanel College, Dublin