From 17th to 21st February, the Lay Claretians of the Caribbean region came together in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to celebrate our VII Regional Assembly of Lay Claretian Movement.
We had the participation of 15 Lay Claretians from Dominican Republic (12 of the group of F. Felix Herrero from Santo Domingo, 1 of Genesis group from Puerto Plata, 2 of Angels of the Lord group from San Francisco de Macorís); 2 from Cuba (1 from Guantánamo and 1 from Santiago); 9 from Puerto Rico (5 from Jessed and 4 from Kaleo); for a total of 26 brothers and sisters participants in the VII Assembly.
Moreover we were accompanied by: F. Hector F. Cuadrado, CMF, F. Juan Carlos Monroy CMF, Brother Manolo Pliego, CMF. , Deacon Rafael Pagán from the Diocese of Caguas, Puerto Rico and Angélica Lombardo, lay Claretian of the group from Panama.
We celebrated beautiful moments of fraternity, joy, prayer and reflection. We shared the wealth of our groups / communities, their achievements and difficulties, its lights and shadows.
We also lived very enlightening moments as the ones presented by F. Juan Carlos Monroy, CMF. who told us about the document of Identity, prepared by the commission of brothers who has been delegated for this purpose by the General Council; the presentation of F. Hector Cuadrado, CMF. on the subject of the Kingdom of God, and the one of our dear sister Syd Ferrán on the Encyclical “Laudato Si”.
Certainly these moments, with other very rich in fraternity, encourage us to reaffirm our option for the Lay Claretian Movement. As well we repeat during the Assembly: “It pays to be Lay Claretian”.
As part of the own work of the Assembly, it has been elected a new Regional Council:
- Nancy Burgos, (Kaleo, Puerto Rico) Regional Coordinator;
- Maria Veras (Génesis, Dominican Republic), Training Secretary
- Thomas Lamberty, (Kaleo, Puerto Rico) Economy Secretary and
- In the newly created Communications Secretary, Olaph Quiala (San Andres, Cuba).
It has caused immense joy to have for the first time, with a Council that is representative of the 3 Caribbean islands where the Lay Claretian Movement is.
Before ending our assembly, our communities dedicated some time to analyze the areas and / or aspects they want be considered by the new Council, concerns and concrete proposals. These will lead to a work plan that will guide our training service for the next three years in these Caribbean lands.
On Sunday 21st, we celebrated the Sending Eucharist with the community of Claret Parish from Santo Domingo and its parish priest, Father Juan Alexis Díaz CMF. There we offered the Lord our crocks, with the certainty that He will fill them of Love, Joy, Wisdom and Hope
