| The 2011 Global Council officially began today. It will continue on until next Wednesday. The Global Council is composed of the six regional coordinators from around the world plus the MKLM leadership based here at New York. |
| The opening liturgy this morning was prepared by Joanne Miya from Tanzania with Fr. Phil Elbrand, a Maryknoll priest from Peru, as the celebrant. The Bethany staff were invited to join us for this liturgy. |
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| Besides serving in leadership and on the staff of the MKLM, Sam Stanton and his wife Cecilia Espinoza are also musical mainstays for many of the celebrations here at the Maryknoll Lay Missioners headquarter. Both of them are strong and accomplished singers. |
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| The Bethany staff were also invited to join with the Global Council group at lunch time which was catered by an outside restaurant. Plenty of food was ordered and it was available as leftovers for supper. |
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| Most of the day was given to reports from each of the MKLM regions around the world--thirty minutes each--and then the leadership offered their update. We then ended with a quick summary of the day, noting important issues and possible recommendations to different departments of the MKLM administration. |
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