France

Our Marist guesthouse where our Founder, Fr Colin lived near Lyon since 1854, and now welcomes people seeking inspiration in their lives.

The mission of the community is to offer hospitality to Marists, and it houses the Provincial offices and the administration of Marist life in France. 40 years ago we established the ‘Forum 104’, a cultural and spiritual centre for meetings and dialogue. It continues today and is managed by a lay association with the help of the Assumptionists and forges links between people from different worlds, backgrounds and communities.

Based in the heart of Toulon, the mission consist of four distinct, but related domains (three schools; a vibrant worshipping community, a centre offering a series of workshops, conferences, and events in the areas of spirituality, theology, culture and issues of social concern; and diverse expressions and support of Marist laity). The Marist community is currently composed of 4 Marist priests, with the various teams of lay-people who form a single variegated apostolic world. The pastoral tone and approach guiding the mission is acknowledged by the local Church as true to the synodality espoused by Pope Francis. Due to the long-standing presence of Marist fathers and sisters in Toulon (170 years) and their involvement in the wider mission of the local Church, “Marist” is a household name in Toulon, and is known and respected for its distinct and different contribution in the Catholic culture of the diocese.

• The team of priests provides support and accompaniment to the 3 Marist schools (la Seyne, Cours Fenelon et la Cordeille – with around 5,000 pupils enrolled), working with the direction and pastoral teams, and the pupils. Contact: Fr Bernard Thomasset T. +33 6 61 22 44 46
• The chapel community consists of 150-200 faithful who gather regularly for Sunday Mass, have their own coordinating council, liturgical teams, volunteers at reception, and active links with diocesan agencies, the local Protestant Temple, and other faith communities. Sunday Eucharist: 10 am; weekly Eucharist: 12h10, Monday-Friday; priests available for accompaniment and the sacrament of Reconciliation. Reception: + 33 4 94 71 5 89; Fr Constant Amoussouga (accompanying priest): +33 6 99 33 67 00; Stephane Bonjour (coordinator of pastoral council) +33 6 18 75 39 92
• The Marist cultural and spiritual centre offers a rich programme of events, workshops, talks and debates on theological, biblical, spiritual, interreligious, ecumenical, cultural and societal issues. centremariste.fr T: +33 6 44 87 30 70. Accompanying priest: Fr Paul Walsh: +33 6 41 10 74 91
• A number of lay-groups meet regularly to share and deepen their Marist Each of the 3 schools and the Marist centre offer annual programmes of Marist formation and training. Contact: Martine Putzka, local delegate of Marist Laity T. +33 6 60 58 11 00

A community of retired Marists in Lyon, engaged in education and pastoral ministry, including chaplaincy to the blind.