The USA delegation to the Assembly includes Br. Dan O’Riordan (Provincial), Br. Owen Ormsby (Vice Provincial), Provincial Council members Br. Brian Poulin, Br. Sam Amos, Br. Dominick Pujia, Br. Don Bisson, and Br. Hank Hammer, and Provincial Team members Matt Fallon, Stacey Baker, Rick Martin, Erin Gilbert, and Maureen Hagan.
The Assembly brings together representatives from the Provinces of the United States, Canada, Mexico Central, Mexico Occidental, Norandina, and Central America—offering a unique moment to listen deeply, reflect honestly, and envision the future of Marist life and mission across Arco Norte.
A special grace of this year’s Assembly is the presence of Br. Peter Carroll, Superior General, whose participation strengthens the connection between the region and the wider Marist Institute. His presence serves as a powerful reminder of our shared global mission and our call to walk together as one international Marist family.
The week began with a warm welcome and cultural gathering, grounding participants in the richness of the local context and the diversity of the Marist family. From the outset, the tone was clear: this is not simply a meeting, but a space of encounter rooted in prayer, guided by the Spirit, and shaped by a shared commitment to young people, especially those most in need.
Throughout the week, participants have engaged in a dynamic process of reflection and dialogue. Conversations have included Provincial and Regional SWOT analyses, helping to name both the strengths that sustain the mission and the challenges that call for renewed creativity and collaboration. These moments of honest sharing have opened pathways for deeper understanding and unity across cultures and contexts.
A central focus of the Assembly has been the presentation and integration of the Calls of the XXIII General Chapter. Participants have been invited to consider how these calls take shape within the Arco Norte reality, exploring how we are being asked to respond as Marists today and how we move forward together with clarity and purpose.
The Assembly has also created space for voices from across the region to be heard. Presentations and testimonies, including reflections shared by Marist leaders from South America, have enriched the dialogue and broadened perspectives, reminding participants of the global and interconnected nature of the Marist mission.
Each day has been grounded in prayer and fraternity, with moments of spirituality anchoring the work and reinforcing the sense that this gathering is as much about who we are becoming as it is about what we will do. In a joyful expression of community, participants also shared in a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, a reminder that even in the midst of important work, there is always room for fraternity, culture, and shared joy.
As the Assembly continues, there is a growing sense of hope and momentum. Rooted in our shared charism and guided by the Spirit, the Marist family of Arco Norte is taking meaningful steps forward, committed to being Good News for children and young people and to walking together with renewed purpose into the future.
