Fr. Maloney Attends Vincentian Youth Meeting in Madrid

On January 24-25, the Vincentian Marian Youth (JMV) International Council held a meeting at Los Molinos, Madrid, Spain, for its regular session to start the year. .. The JMV presently operates in 65 countries.Fr. Robert Maloney, Director General; Gladys Abi-Said, International President; Sr. Wivine Kisu, General Councilor of the Daughters of Charity; Fr. Pedro Castillo, Sub-director General, and the rest of the members of the council: Sr. Asuncion Garcia, Edurne Urdampilleta, Francisco Pires and Ana Maria Escaño attended said meeting.

The new volunteers of the International Secretariat were also invited to join so as to acquaint and orient them regarding the 65 countries where JMV is presently established. They are Pamela Mantuhac (Philippines), Dorys Castillo (Ecuador), Yasmine Cajuste (Haiti) and Gustavo Gomez (Venezuela).

Among the topics discussed were:
– Annual Reports and presentation of the new members of the International Secretariat
– Reports of the JMV activities in different countries
– Evaluation of the European Encounter of JMV National Councils and plans for the JMV Asian and Latin American Encounters
– Reports about the International Bulletin, Web Page, Actual Statistics, appointment and approval of Statutes
– Financial Report for 2003 and presentation of the budget for 2004
– Plan of Activities for 2004 and visits to countries (Philippines, Italy, Peru and India)
– Participation in the 10th meeting of the international heads of the Vincentian Family on February 20-22 in Paris and participation in the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission
– Preparations for the Second General Assembly

There was an atmosphere of much fun and hard work, sprinkled with the freshness of the new members of the Secretariat and the hospitality of the Daughters of Charity of the Province of St. Vincent, who paid attention to every little detail throughout the whole encounter.

To end the meeting, the Fr. General and Gladys Abi- Said joined a fraternal meal at the CM Provincial House in Madrid, to celebrate the 379th anniversary of the small Company of the Mission. The next council meeting will be held on May 7-9 in Beirut, Lebanon.