Work in progress ... recommendations and photos to come ....
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| The African province fired our enthusiasm for agreeing ways of supporting on-going development. by leading the morning liturgy on the theme of ‘celebrating the birth of something wonderful for our community’ Peter’s elucidation of the goals for Day 6: To agree ways of supporting ongoing development of the ERN in terms of international cp ordination. To offer the best thinking of the group on the issue of forms of commitment to the ER Charism To make any other recommendations that seem important to the group at the time. |
These goals launched us into what was a most challenging and hardworking series of sessions in which we put our best efforts into trying to capture the passion, the heart, the dreams and possibilities which had emerged from the previous 5 days work. The aim was to produce concrete recommendations we could each take back to our provinces to inspire action and growth of the network locally, province wide and internationally. After a long day the first draft did not live up to expectations!. Undaunted the group went to work again to ensure the recommendations reflected the deep felt and passionate commitment to get it right. The 2nd draft was finalised just before 7pm. Inevitably imperfect, this second attempt proved to be far more in tune with the spirit of Edmund and the group. Happily for the drafters it was accepted by the group with some minor alterations on day 7! |
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| We gathered in the church for the third wisdom group of the week and thought about what questions we would like to ask Edmund if he were hear today. We found some great insights in regard to the issues of: International Networking Cooperation Forms of Commitment Other issues People shared from the heart and let the spirit speak through them. When looking at how people felt regarding the recommendations we used sheets coloured green (for agreement), orange (for need of clarification) and red (for disagreement). We found this an amazingly helpful way getting a feeling of the group and individuals and in the spirit of Edmund didn’t pick on those who held up a red card!
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| Some of us took advantage of Andy’s kind offer of taking a trip to the local holiday location of Edmund; Tramore. As we walked we cleared our heads and spirits and found a swimming cove for men only!! |
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| When the work was done for the day we gathered together for a celebratory dinner, and the speeches flowed. Thank yous for all the hard work, dedication and sacrifice were voiced and tokens of this gratitude exchanged. As the realisation that this was our last evening together dawned, we sat on talking for longer than any other evening until our CEO reminded us it was time for the wash up! So some of us gathered in the Rice guesthouse to continue the conversation and enjoy some music. |
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| Thank yous for all the hard work, dedication and sacrifice were voiced and tokens of this gratitude exchanged. We also celebrated Br Peadar Gleeson's birthday.
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| Our final morning together began with a provoking prayer facilitated by the European Province. |
We gathered in the Edmund Rice Chapel for the last time for a ritual of closing ... |
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| ... for offering and receiving blessings ... |
... and for a group photo, aware that we were missing Evona, Dan and Bob, who had already begun their journeys home plus Sean, the driver and Siobhan, who took the photo. |
