There is a lot of activity in the hall: the participants are arriving, they greet each other, they are happy to see one another and there is lots of life about.
The assembly is made up of 27 participants from 23 countries, 16 Units, all bringing the wealth of their respective contexts; they are very conscious that they are here for the common good.
ENLARGED GENERAL COUNCIL
There is a lot of activity in the hall: the participants are arriving, they greet each other, they are happy to see one another and there is lots of life about.
The assembly is made up of 27 participants from 23 countries, 16 Units, all bringing the wealth of their respective contexts; they are very conscious that they are here for the common good.
This is the last Enlarged General Council before the general chapter which will be held in Rome in May 2014. Its purpose is to allow those responsible for the Institute to evaluate what has been lived since the last General Chapter.
The objective of this meeting is to ”Look back in truth”
“Look forward in hope”
Christine Anderson, a member of the congregation of the Faithful Companions of Jesus will facilitate the work of the participants. She is Scottish, an international consultant for leadership. She organises programmes for the development of international leadership in different congregations and lay organisations in Rome, Africa and Asia.
The meeting opens with a ritual which, by means of gestures, words, listening, reflection and sharing, brings together both work and prayer.in a powerful way.
How can a person be really present during this meeting?: by emptying herself of everything that could be an obstacle to being available to the WHOLE. Together the participants express their desire to free themselves from everything that could hold them back, so that once freed they can gather all their energies for the mission.
Some extracts taken from Margaret Muldoon’s opening address:
“(…)For some time now we have been saying that it is vital that we promote greater interdependence and interaction among us. We have talked about the fact that that we need to be less confined by the boundaries of our countries, cultures and so on, so that we can live our mission more truly and effectively.(…)”
“(…)This demands of us a radical change of mind-set. However despite our openness, our desire and good will we continue to have difficulty in moving from
words to action.(…)”
“(…)As we journey towards the Chapter personally, in our communities, Provinces, Networks, Delegations or Vicariate we do so with a desire to know and to respond to God’s will for us at this point in our on-going story as an Institute/Family.( )”
“(…)In all that we do, we seek the common good and surely the common good is whatever is best for our world. And our response must be in harmony with the reason for our existence, our common mission and our spirituality which sustains and supports it.”(…)
“(…)Today our Founder would encourage us to live this spirit enriched by a better knowledge of the universe which is both sacred and impregnated with the divine. Never let us forget that it is this Spirit within us that motivates us, gives us energy and creates the bond of unity that is between us. He leads us to a life founded on faith, reflection, contemplation and discernment a life in which we are which we are ready to share the Gospel with the others.(…)”
“(…)Let us be on fire with the Spirit; open and willing to search together in a spirit of dialogue and discernment, seeking to understand what God is asking of us today.(…)”
Hopefully that will help us to follow and unite ourselves by prayer to the Enlarged General Council which is a vital moment for the Institute and for the whole Family.
