In an atmosphere of participation and commitment, the III Provincial Council of Presence was held in the city of Avila, bringing together about sixty Piarists, religious and laity, during November 4 and 5.
Members of management teams, DAS coordinators, educators and members of Itaka-Escolapios have shared joint working sessions to define and prioritize the objectives of each of the lines of chapter work: community, commitment, our identity and ministry, our way of working and our mission. During the two days, two provincial documents were also presented and worked on: the Provincial Project of Presence and the Framework Document of Social Transformation.
The Provincial Project of Presence, presented by Fr. Provincial, brings the model of presence to the provincial reality of Bethany. Fr- Ivan explained, “This document allows us to generate a shared horizon among the different provincial areas, to promote the joint promotion of the lines prioritized every four years and thus advance in the development of the provincial project of the Bethany Pious Schools”.
Constanza and Marta, from Itaka-Escolapios, presented the Social Transformation Framework Document. The document reflects the need as Piarists “to look after the most vulnerable groups to promote the transformation of society in an evangelical key, in favor of social justice and equity,” they explained about the document. “The dream of Calasanz is still alive today, and we are challenged to update our ministry and the way to respond to the social situations of our world“, hence the need for this document that wants to update that call to build a better world.
Fr. Provincial acknowledged that this is an “important” appointment in view of the next Provincial Chapter, since during these days an interesting work of synthesis and prioritization of the contributions received from the local Assemblies of Presence has been carried out. “These are intense days of dreaming, with our feet on the ground, knowing in whose hands we are“, said Fr. Ivan at the conclusion of the meeting.
The work of synthesis and selection of objectives carried out during these days will form the document that will be worked on, as a contribution of the presences, in the next Provincial Chapter.
Bethany Communication
