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Latest Focus & Direction Meeting | Transition Forum 2 |
[Click photos for larger versions]
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Since Transition Forum 2, groups have been meeting to work on the projects initiated on this forum day. The purpose of the meeting on 18th May in St. Brigid's Room, Glasnevin, was not to assess project progress, but to tap into the group's evaluation of where we are in the Focus & Direction process and glean the wisdom of the group as to what we would like to happen next.
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| Paula Downey, our facilitator, reminded us once again of the key aspects in our way of working: |
| Five dimensions of the work |
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Insight: We are a living system within a wider system. As we are going into the world, we are making it, therefore we have incredible power and responsibility.
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| Paula Downey, Facilitator |
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Direction concerns the story that shapes this work of "making faith relevant in the contemporary world". It means finding a sense of direction for our time - a new story for a new time. It involves looking out and looking in.
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Values: Our values call us to change our pattern of behaviour as we do things. If we want a different organisation, we have to behave differently.
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| Relationship: As any system is a pattern of relationship, therefore relationships in the group are absolutely fundamental. |
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Renewal: We are called to renew. Earth doesn't change, it keeps renewing. Change is like the flick of a switch; renewal is ongoing, learning about becoming what we need to be. It involves a sense of risk as we can't renew without letting go of something.
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| Group Work/Plenary |
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| Group work |
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Three sessions of group work followed on the questions: |
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How can we continue to learn together how best to make faith relevant? |
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How can we keep this focus alive and nourish the energy for our Core Purpose? |
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What supports do we need to keep this process alive? |
| The group work was followed by a plenary session where the suggestions were shared and discussed. These submissions will assist the Holding Group to plan the next sessions of the Focus & Direction process. |
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This page gives an account of the Focus & Direction Forum 2: Making Faith Relevant Today
held in the Irish Region on 28th March.
The account of Forum 1 and the preparatory Transition Process Meeting in January to initiate the process
may be accessed by clicking the links at the end of the pages. |
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[Click photos for larger versions]
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| Introduction |
On Saturday, March 28th, over seventy sisters, associates, friends, colleagues, co-workers and partners in mission met in All Hallows College for our second Focus & Direction Transition Forum: Making Faith relevant today.
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Following the welcome by Sr. Evelyn Greene, regional leader, a beautiful opening ritual followed, arranged by Srs. Veronica Maguire and Pat O'Malley on the theme "Glory be to God who has shown us the light".
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The room was beautifully decorated with balloons, as later photos show. These symbolised our dreams and aspirations, as outlined in our Core Purpose Statement.
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| Evelyn and Paula |
Sr. Veronica - incense ritual |
| Setting the day's focus |
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Once again, Paula Downey of Downey Youell Associates was our facilitator and she reminded us to trust in the work of the day, remembering to 'muddle through the chaos' having a shared sense of what we want for the clarity of goal to appear. She spoke of the gap between vision and reality and how tempting it can be to give up on our dreams and settle for lesser goals. "Creativity is released by holding true to a vision and telling the truth about what it is ... it is a dance between idealism and realism".
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| Paula outlined the dynamic of change: |
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Contentment: We are in a state of contentment and don't want any hassle. |
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Denial: Something happens to make us uncomfortable. We initially deny it and keep going. |
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Confusion: We become really frustrated with the way things are but do not know what to do. This is the time of confusion. However, this is the place where real creativity becomes possible and doors open, if we stick with the chaos. |
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Renewal: Stage of renewal where choices are made according to our values. |
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Paula commented on each of the values in our Core Purpose statement (Accountability, Collaboration, Commitment, Discernment and Risk-taking) as our choices will be influenced by these values.
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| Group-work and Plenary Sessions |
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Group involvement began with tables of four discussing the question: How will be call ourselves to account for achieving our own ambitions? It was good to be faced with the challenge of looking at our strengths and what could block us when facing this question.
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In the first plenary session, we revisited the 'mind-map' of suggested projects in Forum 1. We were asked to choose a project/initiative that we would be willing to work on. This resulted in a list of seventeen suggestions, both old and new, and participants were asked to sign up for their area of interest.
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| General view - the balloons symbolise our dreams and hopes |
Signing up to work on project
of interest |
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Project Work
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For most of the afternoon participants worked in interest groups on an initial chosen project. There was wide variety in the topics chosen: Addressing poverty, supporting single-parent families, alternative education opportunities for youth/adults, outreach to the sick/elderly and lonely, a centre for ministries, exploring the meaning of life/the on-going development of Luisne Spirituality Centre and supporting parents to educate children in faith.
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Others worked on preparing a Powerpoint presentation on Margaret Aylward - a woman of faith for today, nourishing new life in our congregation, religious art for school-rooms and creating community through small events. To keep us focused, we were asked to identify three short and three long term actions, both on a group and personal level.
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Final Plenary |
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The day ended with a final plenary session where each group described the steps taken to bring their project to reality. |
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A follow-up meeting to keep in touch with progress on projects is planned for Monday, 18 May from 7-9pm in St. Brigid's Room, Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.
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