Forum August 2011 Participants

Leaders Group

Formal Address - ERC Homebush

Phil Addresses the Forum

Oceania Meets

Prayer Gathering

Gathering at ERC Homebush

Enjoying The Sun

Mulgoa, NSW, Australia

From Pat White

Day One of the August Forum has almost finished. Set in wonderful weather at beautiful Mulgoa, all leaders and Directors were engaged in reading and assessing various documents. Among these were works in progress, such as Brothers' Ministries ; Delegations Manual ; Notes on wills, Advanced Health Care and Power of Attorney ; Vocations Report ; Fund Raising ; Update on the Edmund Rice Chair at ACU ; Remote preparations for Assembly 2013, Chapter both General and Provincial ; Preparation for the  celebration  Ambrose Treacy.

Such a busy day,  but much appreciated especially as a recognition of the enormous work being done by the OLT and staffs. This is my seventh Forum, and I really value the effort put into clarifications, refinements, and general ordering of a large Province. speread over so vast an area of geography and of experience.

Day 2 of the August Forum at Mulgoa. As part of the experience, the forumites went by buses to the Edmund Rice Centre at Homebush.

There we were welcomed, and addressed by Phil Glendenning. The scope and impact of the Centre is vast.

Various ones among the staff, mainly of volunteers, then spoke of their particular outreach.  Steve Cram spoke feelingly of his work with refugees. As we were listening, a large group of Sudanese women passed by the windows. They had been at English classes - taught by Myron Byrne, Brian Jeffers and some other Brothers.

I was delighted that so many Brothers accepted my invitation to the lunch at 1.00 pm. I believe it was  by far the largest number of our Brothers who had ever attended the Edmund Rice Centre.

Today at the ERC, we had the chance to see Compassion in Action.  I wonder, where is Compassion in my Life.

The video clip is about Compassion.

On our behalf, Vin Duggan congratulated and thanked the Centre and the volunteers for the splendid work done in preaching the Gospel.

Day 3 of the August Forum commenced with an overlook of the Mulgoa property. As you know, there is an assessment/study to look at the future use of this sacred place. Called, "The Mulgoa Project", the Committee asked Peter Hancock and Gerard Brady to come out to the Forum, and open up to a wider consultation some of the possibilities.

Part of this invitation involved an "Emmaus", or may I say a "Mulgoa" walk of some of the significant aspects of the property. Dave reported ,"having walked across the paddocks, past the memorial to Paschal Gillespie near where he died in the tractor accident in the late 50s, we had a wonderful 15 mins reflection where each spent his/her own quiet time in the beautiful surroundings of the hermitage." After the Walk, the group gathered in a prayer circle, and shared some ideas and thoughts. All commented on how sacred Mulgoa is and has come to be, so special in the hearts of people who visit, or stay there.

Some important discussion on the soon to be completed Data Base for the entire Province followed. Unless one was personally involved, there is no way that he/she could possibly understand the enormous effort put into this data base. Many thanks to Jenna Taylor, who has worked on this base.

Along with, and connected to this, Dean then spoke about some important financial matters. These were somewhat explained at the CLA meetings, and the details will gradually be rolled out to all. Once again, much effort has been put into the delicate weaving of five financial methods into one that will serve the Province.

The CLs had a chance to meet for some hour and a half, and then reported to the group. Remember that in the near enough future, we are looking at a full Assembly of the Province, and the Provincial Chapter after that. Remote preparation for these has been in train and work has already commenced on some detail. So, much of the Fora for 2012 - 2013 will cluster around these important events.

4. Exciting work has been done on the Network. A study called, "New Pathways" has been initiated by Catherine Tesoriero, and it looks at ways and means of affiliation to/with the Edmund Rice charism. Details of this will be forthcoming.

5. The August Forum concluded in prayer, based on the theme of the Forum. This theme was sung as a mantra during the Forum.

New Life and Hope springs up again

While out of darkness colour breaks

The members of the August Forum were gathered as they set about their return to the four corners of the Province. All were blessed, and anointed and sent to be genuine about the Gospel business, in the charism of Blessed Edmund.