Sunday 16th March
Tea picking occurs twice a year for about two months each time. Each twig of each tree (they are NOT bushes!) is plucked once every ten days during the season. There are millions of tea trees. India is the biggest exporter of tea in the world, but if each Indian national drank one extra cup a day, India would be a net importer of tea.
In the afternoon those with enough energy took advantage of the fact that the minibuses and drivers had been hired for the day to make an expedition to see the glory of this beautiful landscape. It was truly magnificent. Unfortunately there was an Englishman in the party so that at the climax of the scenic beauty rain stopped play.
In the evening we celebrated Saint Patrick's day in anticipation of the morrow. For one and a half hours act after act brought forth shouts of surprise, gales of laughter and rapt attention in quick succession as the cultural diversity of the Congregation of Christian Brothers was brought to bear on the world of entertainment; which may never recover. The photograph shows Mark Murphy preparing his lines.
Monday 17th March
Chapter delegates gathered again to begin the work of
Week Three, showing no ill effects from the
deliberations of the previous evening to mark St.
Patrick’s Day. Thanks is due to Dan, Declan and Pablo
for organising a highly entertaining variety show,
involving acts from all over the world. Some may not
be able to return home if photographic evidence of
their performance gets out!
Today we gathered outside the Conference Hall and processed in an African Entrance Ritual, to capture the joy of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
The question posed to us today was:
“How do we plant the seeds and cultivate the insights of this Chapter in the hearts of our brothers and in the wider Network?”
Reflections and responses were to be based on the “Essential Elements of a Guiding Vision” document from March 14th, and on ideas from the other sessions. Before doing some personal reflection and breaking into Province groups, we were encouraged to look at various excerpts from “Theory U” (Otto C. Scharmer - 2007).
Province groups met first to share ideas on practical activities before splitting up to hear ideas from the other provinces. In the afternoon we returned to our own province groupings to continue the discussion. Responses were then given to the plenary gathering.
Some provinces and regions were able to identify a number of initiatives in the areas of province renewal, formation and training, the wider Edmund Rice Network, preparation for assemblies and chapters, vision and mission statements and other processes. Some provinces admitted to struggling with the task and with reporting back. We will return to the task on Saturday next.
The next three days will focus on choosing leadership for the next six years. Brothers received an alphabetical list of those who have allowed their names to go forward as Nominees for Congregation Leader.
After the evening meal, some photographs of the new centre at Mount Sion, Waterford, were shown, followed by the “Nationwide” television programme shown on RTE TV in Ireland to coincide with the opening of the new centre. John Burke, Michael Reynolds and Edmund Garvey were thanked for their work on committees and in the area of communications. Michael Godfrey was thanked for his commitment, energy and skill in bringing the dream to reality.
Today we gathered outside the Conference Hall and processed in an African Entrance Ritual, to capture the joy of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
The question posed to us today was:
“How do we plant the seeds and cultivate the insights of this Chapter in the hearts of our brothers and in the wider Network?”
Reflections and responses were to be based on the “Essential Elements of a Guiding Vision” document from March 14th, and on ideas from the other sessions. Before doing some personal reflection and breaking into Province groups, we were encouraged to look at various excerpts from “Theory U” (Otto C. Scharmer - 2007).
Province groups met first to share ideas on practical activities before splitting up to hear ideas from the other provinces. In the afternoon we returned to our own province groupings to continue the discussion. Responses were then given to the plenary gathering.
Some provinces and regions were able to identify a number of initiatives in the areas of province renewal, formation and training, the wider Edmund Rice Network, preparation for assemblies and chapters, vision and mission statements and other processes. Some provinces admitted to struggling with the task and with reporting back. We will return to the task on Saturday next.
The next three days will focus on choosing leadership for the next six years. Brothers received an alphabetical list of those who have allowed their names to go forward as Nominees for Congregation Leader.
After the evening meal, some photographs of the new centre at Mount Sion, Waterford, were shown, followed by the “Nationwide” television programme shown on RTE TV in Ireland to coincide with the opening of the new centre. John Burke, Michael Reynolds and Edmund Garvey were thanked for their work on committees and in the area of communications. Michael Godfrey was thanked for his commitment, energy and skill in bringing the dream to reality.
Tuesday 18th March
Tuesday of Holy Week! We enter one of the most sacred
duties of this Chapter, to elect our new Congregation
Leader!
A new configuration of the seating speaks of something different as we ponder on, "Who is best able to lead the Congregation into the vision of the future?"
The brother invitees to the Chapter will be moving in and out of the Chapter Room as they hold the elected delegates in prayer in their discernment.
We have a sense of "The Upper Room" when the early disciples gathered, awaiting the revelation of God!
'Speak, God, your servant is listening!'
As a "we" we discern who best could lead a team and indeed the whole Congregation into the new!
We sit in groups, we listen to each other, we
pray in quiet. Our brothers create mandalas and
symbols of life to accompany us... they pray and
sing and their songs and prayers waft into the
Chapter Room.
The day progresses and we go deeper, knowing that by the end of this day we will have our leader! Days follow days!
And by Thursday we will have our new Team!
"Spirit of the living God fall upon our hearts"
"Spirit of the living God lead us where you will"
May the Spirit guide us in these discerning days of election.
Please pray for the Congregation and the Wider Network in these short days.
A new configuration of the seating speaks of something different as we ponder on, "Who is best able to lead the Congregation into the vision of the future?"
The brother invitees to the Chapter will be moving in and out of the Chapter Room as they hold the elected delegates in prayer in their discernment.
We have a sense of "The Upper Room" when the early disciples gathered, awaiting the revelation of God!
'Speak, God, your servant is listening!'
As a "we" we discern who best could lead a team and indeed the whole Congregation into the new!
The day progresses and we go deeper, knowing that by the end of this day we will have our leader! Days follow days!
And by Thursday we will have our new Team!
"Spirit of the living God fall upon our hearts"
"Spirit of the living God lead us where you will"
May the Spirit guide us in these discerning days of election.
Please pray for the Congregation and the Wider Network in these short days.
Thursday/Friday
For the past three days Chapter delegates have
entered into a spirit of individual and communal
discernment to aid in the process of elections for
Congregation leadership. The process allowed for
prayer, reflection, sharing, conversation, and
dialogue aimed at assisting Chapter delegates in
selecting the five men who would form the new
Congregation Leadership Team. It will be the
responsibility of these five men to carry forward the
emerging vision from Chapter 2008.
It is with great gratitude and joy in our hearts that we announce the following five men have accepted the call to serve as the Congregation Leadership Team for the next six years:
Congregation Leader Philip Pinto
Deputy Congregation Leader Jack Mostyn
Councillor Francis Hall
Councillor Victor Deen Kamara
Councillor Peter Dowling
We offer them our heartfelt prayers and support as they embark on this new journey.
Having completed the election processes, the Chapter turned its attention to entering into the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus during this most Holy of Weeks in our Church year. Thus, Holy Thursday and Good Friday services will be the focal point of the next two days before returning to Chapter business on Saturday.
It is with great gratitude and joy in our hearts that we announce the following five men have accepted the call to serve as the Congregation Leadership Team for the next six years:
Congregation Leader Philip Pinto
Deputy Congregation Leader Jack Mostyn
Councillor Francis Hall
Councillor Victor Deen Kamara
Councillor Peter Dowling
We offer them our heartfelt prayers and support as they embark on this new journey.
Having completed the election processes, the Chapter turned its attention to entering into the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus during this most Holy of Weeks in our Church year. Thus, Holy Thursday and Good Friday services will be the focal point of the next two days before returning to Chapter business on Saturday.
Saturday 21st March
Chapter Website Saturday, 22nd March 2008 Day 21
The unseasonal weather continued in Kerala with more heavy, overnight rain stretching into the early morning. Much damage has been done to local rice crops as what meteorologists say are the effects of global warming bringing changes to the climate of South India.
Before beginning the morning, Philip welcomed Martin Kenneally, Congregation Leader of the Presentation Brothers, who will be with us for the final week of the Chapter.
Renée asked us to begin the day by recalling
what we had been working on up to last Monday,
March 17th. We recalled the “Essential Elements of
a Guiding Vision” document. This document contained
eleven elements which separate into
♣ desires, invitation
♣ action, responses
♣ dispositions of heart, fruits
The group was also asked to recall the document written by Tony Hempenstall and Mark McDonnell, which attempted to capture the wisdom of the Spirit moving in our midst. The first small groups of the morning began by reviewing the Province and Region responses to these documents. These responses were first articulated on March 17th.
Our two questions for today are
♣ What is the Spirit inviting this Chapter body to say?
♣ What is the disciples’ daring response to the invitation of the Spirit?
We were asked to reflect on these questions in groups of four - three brothers representing different provinces, with the spirit of Edmund as the fourth presence in each group.
In the plenary gathering before lunch brothers again attempted to articulate elements of what was emerging in the group in the areas of
♣ invitation to a process; inclusive, daring, profoundly, respectful and engaging of all around us, including Church
♣ building communities of compassionate disciples exploring the mystery of God, heart centered spirituality, God in the universe and advocacy for justice for those who cannot advocate for themselves
♣ inclusivity, togetherness; valuing the spirit alive and active in each brother acknowledging the fear and hesitation in all of us if we are to “leap off the edge” and do things differently
In the afternoon, in groups of eight representatives of different provinces and regions, brothers attempted to identify and agree on responses to
“The disciples’ daring response to the Spirit’s invitation - What is the Spirit inviting this Chapter body to say?”
Responses will be gathered and collated.
Finally, the Chapter returned to the issue of Congregation Policy on HIV/AIDS. We were given the current policy on “Admission to the Novitiate” and a document on “Implications of Acceptance/Non-acceptance of Candidates Testing as HIV/AIDS+, prepared by three delegates. The Chapter broke into groups representing CLT past, present and future, Province and Region leaders, formators and community members. Each group was given the task:
“from the place where you stand, how would you respond to a candidate who has tested positive for HIV/AIDS and is seeking admission to the novitiate?”
We will return to the policy again before Chapter ends.
Following the evening meal, Frank led us in a beautiful liturgy of fire, of word and of baptism to begin the celebration of Easter. We will continue the liturgy tomorrow morning.
The unseasonal weather continued in Kerala with more heavy, overnight rain stretching into the early morning. Much damage has been done to local rice crops as what meteorologists say are the effects of global warming bringing changes to the climate of South India.
Before beginning the morning, Philip welcomed Martin Kenneally, Congregation Leader of the Presentation Brothers, who will be with us for the final week of the Chapter.
♣ desires, invitation
♣ action, responses
♣ dispositions of heart, fruits
The group was also asked to recall the document written by Tony Hempenstall and Mark McDonnell, which attempted to capture the wisdom of the Spirit moving in our midst. The first small groups of the morning began by reviewing the Province and Region responses to these documents. These responses were first articulated on March 17th.
Our two questions for today are
♣ What is the Spirit inviting this Chapter body to say?
♣ What is the disciples’ daring response to the invitation of the Spirit?
We were asked to reflect on these questions in groups of four - three brothers representing different provinces, with the spirit of Edmund as the fourth presence in each group.
In the plenary gathering before lunch brothers again attempted to articulate elements of what was emerging in the group in the areas of
♣ invitation to a process; inclusive, daring, profoundly, respectful and engaging of all around us, including Church
♣ building communities of compassionate disciples exploring the mystery of God, heart centered spirituality, God in the universe and advocacy for justice for those who cannot advocate for themselves
♣ inclusivity, togetherness; valuing the spirit alive and active in each brother acknowledging the fear and hesitation in all of us if we are to “leap off the edge” and do things differently
In the afternoon, in groups of eight representatives of different provinces and regions, brothers attempted to identify and agree on responses to
“The disciples’ daring response to the Spirit’s invitation - What is the Spirit inviting this Chapter body to say?”
Responses will be gathered and collated.
Finally, the Chapter returned to the issue of Congregation Policy on HIV/AIDS. We were given the current policy on “Admission to the Novitiate” and a document on “Implications of Acceptance/Non-acceptance of Candidates Testing as HIV/AIDS+, prepared by three delegates. The Chapter broke into groups representing CLT past, present and future, Province and Region leaders, formators and community members. Each group was given the task:
“from the place where you stand, how would you respond to a candidate who has tested positive for HIV/AIDS and is seeking admission to the novitiate?”
We will return to the policy again before Chapter ends.
Following the evening meal, Frank led us in a beautiful liturgy of fire, of word and of baptism to begin the celebration of Easter. We will continue the liturgy tomorrow morning.