The Province of France just held, from June 30 to July 4, the Provincial Assembly 2013. It took place in Bretagne, at the "espace Montcalm", the old Major Seminary of the Diocese of Vannes. There were 30 participants, with Marie-France Gazan representing the secular branch. Fr. Felipe Lazcano, General Government, attended the entire meeting, took the opportunity to spend a few days before the assembly's brothers visiting Sarzeau community, 21 km from Vannes.
The meeting took place at different times and with different themes:
- Monday, July 1: reflection on the "Porta Fidei", by Fr. Maurice Roger, vicar general of the diocese of Vannes. He invited us to revisit our act of faith.
-Tuesday, July 2: on "The New Evangelization" with Serge Goubèmon, sscc, founder of the "Réseau Picpus". The second part of the day was the presentation by the Father Provincial, Christian Malrieu sscc, of the document on the project in the province for 2014. This document summarizes the thinking of the provincial council during the last year and will be the basis for next year's work.
- Wednesday, July 3: around General Chapter and the animation plan for the next six years of the General Government, which was organized and presented by Felipe Lazcano, with two "powerpoints", allowing all participants to better understand the fundamentals of the General Chapter and its implications for our religious life ss.cc.
In the afternoon we had free time and more than half of the group went to visit the submarine base in Lorient. There we discovered a part of the military arsenal maritime that participated in the "Atlantic Wall" built by the Germans during World War II.
After dinner, we had occasion to hear the experience of members of the movement "Free Life", about alcoholism. The four witnesses called by Fr. Roger Tanguy sscc, a member of the association, told us how they had come to an alcohol addiction and how they managed to get out.
- Thursday, July 4: there was a final general meeting after breakfast, for a variety of information: the "Penalty" with Bertrand Cherrier sscc and finances of the Province, with Christian Flottes sscc.
After all this we join the community of Sarzeau to celebrate the final Eucharist. In the Eucharist we celebrate the Jubilee year of (* those present):
* Yves Marcos, 75 years of religious profession
* Yves Lochou, 70 years of religious profession
* Emile Dubot, 65 years of religious profession
Joseph Foucher, 60 years of religious profession
* Roger Tanguy, 50 years of religious profession
* Christian Malrieu, 40 years of religious profession
* Gerard de Villers, 50 year ordination
Gabriel Verdier, 50 years ordination
Martial Couderc, 50 yearsordination
Querne François, 50 years of ordination
Bernard Couronne, 50 years of ordination
At the end of Mass, Father Provincial sent on a mission to Chile brother Eric Ernout sscc, for a period of six years, according to the agreement with the Provincial of Chile, Alex Vigueras sscc.
Also we thanked Nilo Pinzón sscc, who just brilliantly completed his Masters at the Centre Sèvres and returns to Ecuador, and Hervé Dexter sscc, who will join his "fenua" in Tahiti, after 10 years of service in the Province of France, especially in the communities of Graves and Sarzeau.
The provincial assembly is always a festive and fraternal time. Fr. Alban Le Gargean sscc, treasurer of Sarzeau, prepared a meal for 37 diners who were there!
07/06/2013