Report from the Province Leadership Team Meeting

October, 2005

 

Open to new realities, we in leadership

are accountable for revitalizing and transforming

ourselves and our brotherhood

through heart-centered spirituality

and service with the marginalized.

 

Portfolio Reports

Deepening the Spirituality of Being Brother

        The sabbatical policy has been sent out. A number of requests have been received. Decisions on the requests will not be made until after the published deadline in November.

        A letter and leaflet on personal and community reflection has been sent out. The CLT has also circulated a reflection piece on Eucharist. This will be sent around to the communities towards the end of October.

        There are a number of community positions that are due for renewal this year and/or reappointment.  A Conversation around this topic will be held at the Tucson meeting.

 

Seeking New Brothers

        The marketing group will meet on October 25. This will be in lieu of the meeting normally held as part of the Formation retreat.

        There was discussion of a series of names for a possible new Formation Director for North America. This position is to become available in 2006.

 

Educating the Hearts and Minds of the Young

        A letter will be sent to the school heads throughout the province introducing the portfolio committee, briefing them about the restructuring process, and inviting them to keep the PLT informed about events in the schools that they feel we might and could attend.

 

The Edmund Rice Network:  The Unfolding Story

        Derm and Kevin met with John Dornbos and Jerry McCarthy on October 9 to explore the issues around the Associate programs in the North America.

        Both John and Jerry felt there were new ways in which Associates can be involved.  For example there are efforts being made in developing the spirituality of each Associate and generating fellowship among them.  John and Jerry will develop a new brochure for North America, there will be contact made with Nick about the website and Tom Lesser around the "blog" that has recently been developed.  They arealso considering the possibility of a directory.

        For further discussion:  How do we continue to develop lay leadership?  How do we encourage the next generation of Associates?  How do we get the Associate program to involve and include more young people?

 

A Prophetic Call to a Quest for Justice

        Contact has been made with RUN (Religious at the U.N.). Nick and Kieran will attend a meeting in NYC on November 2 with other religious congregation representa-tives to explore our involvement in this group.

        The idea of a conversation around the Justice/Peace component of the Essential Elements is being circulated among the various heads of schools in the province. This conversation will be held in school sites with campus ministers, heads of school and others involved in outreach programs and justice issues. 

        Information and brochures are available about the two renewal programs for next summer (Tóir and Karibu).  Brothers and others in our ministry sites are being encouraged to sign up for these programs.

        The Ministry Mapping Project is being undertaken by the Congregation to back up our efforts to gain NGO status at the U.N. The project will attempt to gain a picture of the many ways in which we, as a Congregation, are involved in ministry to the poor and marginalized.

        A common Grant proposal will be developed from the formats of the Edmund Grants (former WUS) and the Ryall Grants (former EUS).

 

Other Items

Tucson Community Leaders’ Meeting

        The site has been changed to the Smugglers' Inn in Tucson due to the fire at the retreat centre.  Brothers have been notified of the change.

        The PLT will also relocate its regular meeting to the Smugglers’ Inn for the three days immediately after the Community leaders’ meeting.

 

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Jubilee 2006 Process

        After consulting next year’s golden jubilarians, Derm and Tom Lesser will attempt to gain a sense of what sort of celebration is anticipated and hoped for from the brothers. This will be brought to the PLT for discussion. 

 

Memorial Card Program

        This development/advancement office program is presently in operation in both former American provinces.  Nick will work with those offices to develop a common approach for North America. 

 

CLT Visitation

        The dates for the meetings with the PLT are set as Feb. 24th and 25th in New Rochelle.  The meeting at the end of the Visitation is on April 3rd and 4th but a location has yet to be determined.

        The emphasis of the Visitation will be community visits. There will be opportunities to meet with individuals and also to attend some of the pre-planned events and workshops.

        We also need to reconsider the role of the Boards ofTrustees/Members of the Corporation(s), the Boards of Directors and the PLT so as to clarify how best we can serve the needs of the schools, the students and the brothers in the schools where we are Members/Trustees.

 

Housing Issues

        Changes in housing situations in a number of areas around the province continue to be issues for discussion. Members of the PLT will arrange visits and meetings with those communities where this is a concern and attempt to determine how best to meet the needs of the brothers and the local school communities in moving this issue along.

 

John Buckingham

        John has been invited by the Pan African Leadership team to be part of the formation team in Africa. We endorse this move. 

 

Necrologies

        The communications committee will determine what necrologies are outstanding and incomplete.