European Provincials meet in Hiltrup, Germany

From March 23rd to 27th the Provincial Superiors of the eight European MSC Provinces, together with some of their councillors and the Superior General and Secretary General, met in the MSC house at Hiltrup near Munster (North German Province) for the annual PEC meeting (Conference of European Provincials).

The main theme of the meeting was the future shape of the MSC presence and mission in Europe.

European Provincials meet in Hiltrup, Germany

The members of the European Provincials' Conference 2009

From March 23rd to 27th the Provincial Superiors of the eight European MSC Provinces, together with some of their councillors and the Superior General and Secretary General, met in the MSC house at Hiltrup near Munster (North German Province) for the annual PEC meeting (Conference of European Provincials). Representing the Irish Province were Fr Pat Courtney MSC (Provincial) and Fr Michael O'Connell MSC (Provincial Councillor and Director of the Mission Support Centre). Also in attendence was Fr Carl Tranter MSC who is the Secretary of PEC.

Fr Ben Verberne MSC (Dutch Province) chairs the meeting

One and a half days were given over to the main theme of the meeting; reflecting on our future MSC presence in Europe. After examining the current statistics and the personnel projections for each Province over the next 10 years, the Conference began the task of identifying the missionary challenges and opportunities presented by our aging and diminishing membership, together with the prospect of some new vocations from certain parts of Europe. Time was also taken to examine strategies and structures adopted by other Congregations in Europe. Over recent years there have been new collaborative efforts across the MSC European Provinces (e.g. the establishment of the Cordate Community in Birmingham, England; the continued co-operation of Provinces in Nitra, Slovakia; various meetings of members across Provincial borders; the coming together of some Provincial Councils, the work on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart undertaken by the French, Spanish and Italian Provinces). Such initiatives are to be continued and developed. At the same time it is considered important to begin a conversation with all the members across Europe on our future presence in this continent. This will begin soon in each Province. A significant part of the conversation will be the next European MSC Assembly in August 2010 (in Issoudun) which will devote itself exclusively to this theme. The Provincials will also return to the theme next year as part of the 2010 PEC meeting to be held in the South German-Austrian Province.

Fr Pat Courtney (right - Irish Provincial) and Fr Michael O'Connell (left - Provincial Councillor) during the meeting

Time was also devoted during the Conference to receiving a report on developments in the Cordate Community in Aston, Birmingham (England). The members were enthused by the significant progress in this mission which is a fruit of the first European MSC Assembly in 2002 and is a tangible expression of our desire to come together in new expressions of mission as European Provinces in Europe. The annual accounts and new budget for the Cordate Community were examined and approved. An evaluation process for the project was agreed for next year. You can visit the website of the Cordate Community here.

The Cordate Community - L-R: Carl Tranter MSC, Ton Zwart MSC and Mark Van Beeumen MSC

The Conference reviewed last summer’s European Assembly on the theme of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. It was a very good experience for all participants and has led to concrete developments in some Provinces. The issue of Eco-spirituality, which was treated briefly by the Assembly, will be a major theme for reflection at next spring’s PEC meeting.

In September of this year all of the Provincials of the Congregation will meet for the General Conference in Yaounde, Cameroun. With this in view, some time was allocated to preparing for the Conference, the first week of which will focus on two justice issues in Africa; food security and women's dignity.

The Provincials continue to meet in smaller PEC Clusters throughout the year (France, Spain and Italy; North Germany and South Germany/Austria; Ireland, Belgium and The Netherlands). These Clusters have also been a source of some new collaboration between Provinces. It is intended to deepen and extend these partnerships where possible.

Visiting the the Benedictine Abbey near Munster

After the close of the PEC Meeting the members visited the Mother House and Hospital of the MSC Sisters and spent a day visiting the city of Munster. The hospitality extended by the MSC community in Hiltrup and that of the MSC Sisters was outstanding and very much appreciated by all.