Vice President joins international commission of Marist Missions

Br. Manuir Mentges represented Marist Universities at General House in Rome, Italy

Br. Manuir Mentges (center) / Photo: Personal archive

The Vice President of Undergraduate Studies and Continuing Education of PUCRS, Br. Manuir Mentges, attended the first meeting of the International Commission of Marist Missions, of which he is a member, representing the Marist Higher Education Institutions. The event took place from Jan 13 – 18 at the General House, in Rome, Italy. The International Commission is intended to bring together the different initiatives and actions of the regions, networks and general administration to maximize their impacts and effects.

According Mentges, the international commission is a privileged space to reflect upon the various fronts of action of the Marist mission, such as: schools, universities, pastoral services, volunteering, fellowship, rights of children, adolescents and teenagers, among others. “I represent the Marist Universities in this commission. Because there are more than 20 of them all over the world, they are unique in that they have the potential to support the different spheres of the Marist mission. The meeting contributed to develop a true Marist spirit, as a global charismatic family, relying on a strong networking actions and sharing of good practices among Marists from 80 countries, where our presence and mission is present”, he celebrates.

A commission to connect

The Commission was created to connect the regional offices, networks and regions in an integrated and sequential way. The group is guided by the principle to help leaders reflect upon the initiatives and their processes for implementing the Strategic Plan projects in global, regional and provincial dimensions in the Mission Area.

This first meeting is intended to advance reflections and the development of strategic planning strategies. Check out the initiatives:

• Continue to explore management, leadership and governance models that allow us to “be” and “feel” as a global body;
• Promote open and qualified server leadership;
• Promote a “meeting culture” and the integration of diversity (ecology, Western and Eastern spiritual expressions, different religious or cultural traditions, etc.) in our ministries;
• Connect the different networks and create networks at the service of Marist life and mission;
• Foster network strategies to share human and economic resources in the service of Marist life and mission, especially related to emerging realities (migration, refugees, current and new presences, etc.);
• Promote a mindset of fellowship that emphasizes co-responsibility, transparency, efficient and effective management and sustainability through training and professional monitoring;
• The meeting was organized by the General Council in collaboration with the Secretariat for Education and Evangelization;
• Develop administrative and human resources, finance and real estate management policies at all levels of the Institute, with careful attention to different regional, social and legal contexts.