From October 7 to 10, 2024, the Pedro Donders Province continued the Provincial Assembly by pastoral zones. This time, it was held in Santiago de Chile, with the participation of the confreres of the communities of Iquique, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago, Cauquenes and Penco. The confreres of the La Rioja community in Argentina could not participate due to bad weather.
General Councilor Jairo Díaz Rodriguez CSsR accompanied us online, encouraging us with two themes for reflection, the first linked to the motto of the six-year term: Missionaries of Hope in the Footsteps of the Redeemer; the second, the Role of Local Superiors.
Fr. Javier Machado, CSsR, the Provincial Superior, who officially opened the assembly, emphasized that the Provincial Government organized the Provincial Assembly by pastoral zones, taking into account the territorial proximity, to ensure the participation of the confreres, especially because one of the important topics to be discussed was the elaboration of the Statutes of our Province, and we need everyone to feel involved in their elaboration, which will help us in their implementation, once approved by the General Government.
In addition, representatives of each commission presented their pastoral projects for the three-year period 2024-2026. Some did so in person, others online, taking advantage of today’s communication means.
At the conclusion of our assembly, the Provincial Superior reminded us that the Lord has given us the gift of the process of reconfiguration and that we are invited to welcome it and seize it as a great opportunity for spiritual, personal and community renewal, to strengthen our fraternal bonds and renew together our missionary commitment for the good of our Church and our world which needs the hope that does not disappoint, the Most Holy Redeemer.
Fr. Jose Rodriguez A., CSsR.
