The annual ARC meeting took place in early October at the General House, gathering the members of the General Administration and the Major Superiors. The meeting is held “in order to continue restructuring, to make and review plans, to strengthen and deepen communication, understanding and collective ownership of initiatives for the Society”. (DC2025, #54).

In his introduction to the meeting, Fr Declan Marmion focused on the implementation of the Chapter Statements and Decisions, as they help to keep the bigger picture of the Society, while remaining faithful to the spiritual dynamic underlying the Chapter’s decisions. He also stressed the importance of physical and virtual meetings to foster unity and collaboration. He asked all to be courageous, as growing towards strategic unification requires hard work, negotiation and dialogue.

Time was taken to present a variety of reports: all Major Superiors made a short presentation of Marist life and mission in their unit and how they have tried to implement the recommendations and decisions of the General Chapter. Pat Brophy presented the financial report of the Society, including mission solidarity and sponsoring international formation. Pat Breeze gave a comprehensive report on life and challenges at Casa di Maria, while Martin McAnaney explained the progress and future possibilities in the field of Education. Other sessions were dedicated to the accompaniment of young priests in their first five years and to vocations promotion, the Colin Cause, La Neylière, reconfiguration and restructuring, commissions, laity, dismissal and administrative matters, archive succession plans, safeguarding and more.

The meeting took place in a synodal setting, with small groups or one-to-one sharing followed by plenary discussions. In almost all topics, the growing need for collaboration emerged and the importance of good communication on all levels.

The ARC meeting concluded on Saturday 3rd of October, with the participants joining the celebration of the Perpetual Profession of five of our Marist students at Casa di Maria.

Special thanks go to Sr Katherine O’Flynn fcj who facilitated the meeting, to Sophie for her administrative oversight and our translator, Gabriella.