| Conference opens a new chapter in Southern African Region |
 The MSC of the Region of Southern Africa recently held their Conference at the Good Shepherd Retreat and Conference Centre in Hartbeespoortdam outside Pretoria. Such a Conference is held every three years to review the current mission of the Region and to elect a new Regional Superior and members of the Regional Council.Most of the MSCs from the Region attended. Sr. Sally Deignan FDNSC, Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart working in South Africa, and Mary Gagiano, a participant at last year's Provincial Conference in Waterford, Ireland, were also present. The Province was represented by the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC, and by Fr Michael O’ Connell MSC, a member of the Provincial Council and the Director of the Mission Support Centre. Conference opens a new chapter in Southern African RegionMSC relax at the Conference Most of the MSCs from the Region attended. Sr. Sally Deignan FDNSC, Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart working in South Africa, and Mary Gagiano, a participant at last year's Provincial Conference in Waterford, Ireland, were also present. The Province was represented by the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC, and by Fr Michael O’ Connell MSC, a member of the Provincial Council and the Director of the Mission Support Centre.  MSC members of the Southern African Region The theme of the Conference was “OUR WEAKNESS—HIS STRENGTH” The Conference began with a reflective input by Bishop Vestraete on the Weakness/Strength theme as exemplified in some Pauline texts. The first day was facilitated by Fr Michael Lewis S.J. on Engagement/Disengagement of ministries. A report from a task team addressing these topics was presented. Members completed a questionnaire on their availability for various ministries in the future. They also identified three priority issues for the Region: Vocations/Formation, the need for choices to be made regarding ministries and community life.  Fr Frank Bray MSC The elections were followed by a series of reports on the following topics – vocations fostering, formation, the Mission Promotion Office, HIV/Aids, relationships with the Union of French-speaking MSC Africa, and the finances of the Region.  Frs Frank Bray (L) and Herman Van Dijck (R) with two Congolese sisters who are working in Fr Herman's township parish. The Conference concluded on the final day with the report on the Region by Fr Jimmy Stubbs MSC, the outgoing Regional Superior. Fr Pat Courtney MSC also addressed the Conference and Fr Michael O’ Connell spoke of the work of the Mission Support Centre in Ireland which supports the South African mission. Sr. Sally informed the Conference of some proposed plans by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the Region. Those celebrating Jubilees in 2009 from the Region were honoured with a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a celebration meal. They were joined by many of their friends. Richard Broderick celebrating his golden jubilee of ordination preached an inspirational homily. The mood and atmosphere of the Conference was very positive. Despite some concerns and struggles about various aspects of what is a challenging mission, there was a lot of energy and hope.  Frs Pat Courtney (L) and Charles Phiri (R) with Anne, the matron of the MSC-sponsored AIDS hopsice After the Conference Frs Michael O’ Connell and Pat Courtney spent some days visiting the confreres in their various ministry settings. The dedication and commitment of our confreres to the many needs of the people are admirable. Fr Pat confined himself in this visit to the Gauteng area while Fr Michael also visited the Limpopo region. They came face to face with stark poverty in many of the the township areas and elsewhere. They were immensely impressed by the care provided for refugees (at various refugee centres and night shelters) and for the victims of Aids, particularly in hospices and orphanages. |