January18-26, 2016
Mendiolaza, Argentina

The Regional Assembly and Chapter took place at a retreat center in Mendiolaza, about an hour’s drive from Córdoba.

Besides the 12 perpetually professed and the 2 in temporary vows, two candidates were also present, as well as several lay persons, all from Argentina with the exception of one from the USA. They were joined by the North American Provincial.

The Assembly focused on the Year of Mercy, with talks given by a Chilean priest, Fr. Cristian Mauricio Cárdenas Aguilar. He laid special emphasis on the tendency to indifference which so concerns Pope Francis.

During the Assembly the two candidates, Cesar Atahuichi Ochoa and Germán Ojopi Dasilva began their novitiate. After the meetings they traveled to Brazil where they joined the Brazilian novices at the La Salette Shrine of Marcelino Ramos.

Also, Fr. Joseph Peethuruthel, who had worked in Argentina for about 8 years, came to say goodbye before returning to India.

Friday, January 22, was a free day for the La Salettes, but for the laity it was a day to reflect together on their identity and role in the Region. They then went their separate ways before the “Ad Instar Capituli” meeting began on the Saturday.

Besides the various reports and the election of the Regional Council, the Chapter devoted its energy in particular to three areas:

 Vocations. This remains the most important issue that the Region must face. Plans were made for a Regional event drawing candidates from the different parts of the Region.
 Formation. Strategies and policies were reviewed.
 The 170th Anniversary of the Apparition. The hope is to organize three or four days of recollection in the course of the year, in each of our parishes.

Just before the Assembly, In Córdoba, we celebrated the birthday of Javier Pereira. During the Assembly we celebrated Alfredo Velarde’s 40th Anniversary of Religious Life. Two scholastics, Ariel Muratore and Diego Diaz renewed their vows on the same occasion.

In the photos, it is obvious that Alfredo has not been well. He was operated on for cancer just weeks before these meetings. Nevertheless, his spirits were excellent and his vitality was not much diminished.

Fr. René Butler MS