History of MAPAC
In 1991, the Asian Provinces’ superiors of the Marist Brothers agreed to establish a joint post-novitiate formation center in Manila. The Center was called then the Marist Asian Center. During the first three years student Brothers came from Malaysia, South Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines. The Center temporarily occupied the old Scholasticate building of the Philippines Province. Students attended classes both at the Center and another formation center, Institute of Formation for Religious Sisters, located in Quezon City.
In 1994, the Pacific Superiors were accepted into the program and started sending their student Brothers to Manila. Hence the center became known as the Marist Asia-Pacific Center (MAPAC). The Center trains young religious from all over Asia and the Pacific to become effective evangelizers, educators and social workers in their future ministries, in keeping with the Marist charism. Newly professed Brothers from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu joined the Brothers coming from the different countries of Asia. Students achieve a certificate from MAPAC and then, when Teaching Practice is successfully completed in their home Provinces, a Degree from Notre Dame of Marbel University in Mindanao. Student Brothers spend 2.5 years here before returning home.
When the new facilities of the Center were ready for use, MAPAC opened its doors to other religious congregations. Various groups of religious congregations sent their candidates and young members to avail themselves of the programs the Center offers. Aside from Marist Brothers and other religious from other congregations, some lay people who applied to study at the Center were admitted to enroll in some of the courses at MAPAC. Currently (2008) we have 4 Congregations of Sisters sending students here but have had at least another 4 Congregations of Sisters previously, as well as 2 male Congregations.
To ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the programs of the Center, the Marist Brothers General Administration established a close monitoring system. The MAPAC Board composed of a representative of the General Council and the superiors of the Provinces, Districts and Sectors are authorized to directly supervise and monitor the operations of the Center. Twice a year the Board of Superiors or its Executive Commission meets in Manila. During these meetings, programs are evaluated and all the members of the staff and students of MAPAC are consulted to address immediate and long term concerns and necessary developments. At the end of the meetings recommendations are made and resolutions are formulated for concrete implementation of the significant concerns raised.
To run the programs of the Center, the General Administration of the Marist Brothers in Rome, through the Board, requests and appoints Brothers from Asiand and 3rd year Brothers undertake at least one Course off-campus so that Brothers have the opportunity to mix with other young Religious and laypeople. These have tended to be at IFRS and MST (Maryhill School of Theology). and the Pacific Regions to be members of the MAPAC staff as teachers, administrators, Fraternity animators, Spiritual Directors and vocational counselors. In cases where the Brothers on the staff cannot cover courses, seminars, workshops and other special programs, personnel from outside are hired as part-time teachers, facilitators, and technicians. Also the decision was taken in 2006 to ensure that 2
Over the years the facilities have been improved and expanded. For example, a 2-storey building now houses the Library, Computer Room and AVR. This was opened in 2002, about the time an extra 2 Fraternity buildings were completed, giving us 4 student Fraternities and a Staff House.
Another recent addition (2005) to the Program has been to spend part of the Summer in Mindanao, at Marbel University. While this is not possible every year, it is seen as a valuable experience. Brothers do two Summer Schools of 2 weeks each and have had the opportunity to experience the life and hospitality of the Brothers’ communities there.
by
Bro. Mark Needham
