 |
| |
|
|
| |
This page gives an account of the Focus & Direction Transition Forum 1
held in the Irish Region on 28th February.
The account of the preparatory meeting in January to initiate the process
may be accessed by clicking 'Transition Process Meeting' below.
|
|
| |
|
[Click photos for larger versions]
|
| Retracing the Journey |
On Saturday, February 28th, over seventy sisters, associates, friends, colleagues, co-workers and partners in mission met in All Hallows College for our first Focus & Direction Transition Forum.
|
|
Following the welcome, Sr. Veronica Kirwan gave a reminder of the stepping stones leading to the formulation of the Core Purpose Statement. It was a journey seeking clarity, where sometimes we walked in fog and at other times found the field with the buried treasure of deep insights. At all stages it involved listening with the heart in order to create a faith-filled future. The Core Purpose Statement is not set in stone. It is a living document that will deepen and evolve with our experience.
|
|
|
| The Core Values |
|
Sr. Anita Conway then traced the journey to draw up the Core Values. As all organisations operate consciously or unconsciously from a set of common values, it was important to identify the key ideals which would make the Purpose Statement a lived reality. Over 100 value words were identified from our Constitutions, Chapter Documents and the Focus & Direction conversations. The Focus & Direction group then worked in pairs to draw up a priority list. Eventually a list of nineteen potential values which would be most appropriate to underpin our Core Purpose were identified and the group voted to select the following final five key values:
|
|
|
| Outlining the Day's Focus |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Paula Downey of Downey Youell Associates was once again the facilitator for the day. She focused immediately on the purpose of the forum. We were here to converse together re key questions posed by our Core Purpose:
|
- How can we make faith relevant in the contemporary world?
- How can we provide meaningful opportunities for people to
connect Faith and Life?
|
|
As we set about developing an action agenda in relation to these questions, Paula re-affirmed the importance of working together according to the philosophy and principles of living systems.
|
|
|
| |
|
Answers to our questions would not be imposed or come from on high. Rather, through the self-organisation of the group, the participation of each one and the gift of natural intelligence to accomplish life's tasks, the solution would evolve. Paula stressed that "the quality of the yield depends on the quality of the field" and so the nature and quality of our participation would determine the outcome. Conversation is powerful and not 'just talk' as it shapes our consciousness, thinking and actions. Creating a possible future begins in human conversation.
|
|
 |
|
Paula finally reminded us that nature works in loops and cycles and that it was natural to experience both order and chaos. Through combination and encounter, the emergence of the new would evolve.
|
|
|
| |
| The 'Cafe' Experience |
|
|
|
The day continued with a number of conversations in the 'World Café' setting, moving from reflecting on and sharing our own experience to drawing up potential ideas for action. Participants were at tables in groups of four and the session began with sharing in twos on "What brought you here today?".
|
|
 |
Looking for the patterns
in the story responses |
|
| The Story Circle |
|
A deeper personal sharing followed with each person in the group having 5 minutes to share a life experience when faith was relevant and to name the qualities and conditions that made faith relevant in this instance. The story-teller then gave a name to the story on paper and the rest of the group were invited to write a comment on the story heard. Both the stories and the comments were very touching for the participants. All group sheets were then put up on the wall and we were invited to view them and look for the patterns in the responses.
|
|
|
| |
|
The Second Question
|
 |
|
The afternoon session began with personal reflection, followed by group sharing, on the different dimensions of life where faith connections can be made. This was a prelude to considering the second question: How can we provide meaningful opportunities to connect faith and life? In the brain-storm which followed we were asked to consider the question from the following aspects:
|
| |
* Themes
* Issues
* Areas to focus on |
|
* Opportunities
* Ideas
* Projects |
|
* People: potential
partners; stakeholders
* Other perspectives
we need. |
|
|
|
| |
The Plenary Session |
|
| |
|
The day's work culminated in a plenary session where ideas and projects were suggested and recorded on a giant 'mind-map'. When this work was completed, we were all given three red stickers and invited to place them beside the suggested projects closest to our hearts and we were given time to note the weight of support for the various strands. Work will continue at Transition Forum 2 on the suggestions presented in this session.
|
|
 |
Assembling the mind-map
[Click photo for completed image -
F11 for on/off full screen] |
|
|
The meeting ended with some 'homework'! Paula pointed out how important it was not to assume we knew what the faith needs were or what might be relevant to others. So between now and Transition Forum 2 we are encouraged to talk to as many people as possible, explain what we are thinking about and get a sense of what would be most relevant to others through dialogue and direct contact.
|
|
|
| |
The day ended with a beautiful prayer dance and poetry ritual, led by Sr. Barbara Perry, where the actions evoked the eternal hope of spring and God's creative power within us: |
|
| |
| |
"Be strong when your fields lie bare and your dreams unfulfilled.
Be patient. One day the green ambassador of hope will visit you.
When he comes, the bird by the path will tell him
that in his arms he brings you the spring." [Isabella Schneider] |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
