A New Beginning

We have just celebrated the life of Br Dacius Reilly who died recently at the age of 94. He had been a Marist Brother for 75 years. Dace was a committed English teacher for much of his life.  In his latter years, he loved to work in the garden, a favourite pastime of many Brothers as they grow older. Dace saw many changes across these years, including changes in Marist life and mission.  One such change, for example, is that today our world requires not just literacy but digital literacy.

The Lavalla 200 logo we see here reminds us of the significance of 2017 in our Marist lives.  Our first community opened its doors at Lavalla, in southern France, in 1817. Marcellin Champagnat welcomed two young men through this door - men committed to assisting him with the evangelisation of young people. Many doors have opened since and continue to open today.

Nevertheless, our Superior General Br Emili and his General Council are inviting us to consider a further new beginning to mark this important milestone. New beginnings can occur at the macro level and at the micro level. What is clear, is that where there is energy, particularly the energy of the Spirit, we are 'ready to go'. All we need is courage, like the Risen Jesus.

John McMahon