MSC in Ireland and UK gather for Spring Assembly

On April 1st and 2nd some 45 MSC from across Ireland and the UK met for a combined Spring Assembly in Grace Dieu, the MSC Retreat Centre in Waterford.

The Assembly is part of a year long process of reflection, conversation and discernment as members in the home countries of the Irish Province seek to engage in a time of planning for the future.

MSC in Ireland and UK gather for Spring Assembly

The Assembly in session

Much of the discussion took place in constantly changing small groups

The Process is being led by an eight member "Consultative Body" established by the Provincial Council. Their task has been to design and implement a process that engages all the members in this important and prayerful work of discernment and planning. They have been assisted in their work by two members of the Kinharvie Institute from Glasgow.

Working at naming our core values

The Assembly gave valuable space to continue the conversation that had begun last autumn in local communities. On the first day the group worked at articulating a common vision for our MSC life and mission in just six key words ("Being Christ's heart in solidarity with people"), and naming the core values that underpin our ministries (prophetic, charism, solidarity, compassion, belonging, collaboration).

Seeing what the group thinks!

The second day was devoted to identifying some critical factors that need to be considered in planning for the future. Many were named, but three stood out in particular; the needs of the people, having hope and energy for the future, our personnel.

Fr Pat concludes the first Joint Assembly

Regognising both the energy and sense of hope for the future, at the same time as the reality of an ageing and shrinking membership, the group then began the task that will continue for the remainder of the year - discerning what ministries to recommit to, which ministries to let go of, and what new ministries we feel called to commence.

The members gather for Eucharist

All agreed that the Assembly had been an energising, engaging and very positive experience. Although any choice that involves letting-go is difficult and even painful, there was a real sense of hope for the future and convicion about the importance of the mission entrusted to us by Fr Chevalier.

Fr Pat Courtney MSC leads the final Eurcharistic celebration before distributing scrolls to each participant

The Assembly concluded with a final Eucharist led by the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney. At the conclusion of the celebration each member was presented with a scroll upon which was written the agreed vision and values that underpin our mission.

There will be another joint Assembly in Dublin on the 28th and 29th October 2009.

The next Assembly will be 28-29 October 2009. There were recommendations to be passed to the Consultative Body as to how to continue the process.