Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24:
For the first time in six years, the General Council of the Society of Mary visited Kellenberg as well as other Marianist schools in the Province of Meribah.
This council is made up of four members from all around the world: Fr. André Fétis, SM, from France; Fr. Pablo Rambaud, SM, from Spain; Bro. E. Maximin Magnan, SM, from Togo, Africa; and Chaminade graduate Bro. Michael McAward, SM, from the United States.
Both Fr. André and Fr. Pablo serve as the Assistant Generals for Religious Life, while Bro. Maximin serves as the Assistant General for Education and Bro. Michael serves as the Assistant General for Temporalities.
Together, they hold the mission to visit each Marianist school once every six years for observation. Bro. Maximin explained, “The idea is that the Marianist charisma has to be developed everywhere in the same way. We see how they live, their challenges, how we can accompany or help them, and what we can bring to other schools. We want this experience in this school to be continued for many generations.”
Bro. Michael added, “We’ve here to encourage and support. What happens here and wherever we are visiting is important not only there but everywhere we visit. And we want to share this with other places in the world.”
Over the course of the week of December 5th, the council saw everything Kellenberg had to offer, including after-school activities, the guidance department, and the STEM curriculum.
Fr. Pablo, who visited Kellenberg for the very first time, shared, “What really struck me was the involvement of all the students in all the campus activities. It’s not only something you are coming to receive from the teachers, but there’s also a lot of participation going on from the side of the students as well.”
Fr. André, who has visited Kellenberg before, highlighted the developments in the past six years: “Last time we were here, we saw the Faustino club when it was just beginning. And now, we met them again the other day, six years later. We also saw the development of the guidance office, and how it responds to the needs of the students.”
Once the week came to an end, the General Council of the Society of Mary returned to Rome for the celebration of Christmas.
Fr. André spoke for all the members when he said, “We want to extend a special thank you for all those living here and walking here and to all the students and teachers for their generosity and welcoming.”
