The MSC Provincial Chapter 2005
Frs. Pat and Manus and parishioner Sara Nash are very pleased to report that
they had a very good Provincial Chapter gathering. There were 46 participants,
including 10 lay representatives. They came from the 6 areas of the Province
where the MSCs are engaged in ministry, namely England, Ireland, South Africa,
Venezuela, USA and Russia.
|
A lot of good work was accomplished through prayer,
reflection and discussion in mapping out the way for the future. Issues relating
to vocation, ministry and Mission were given a lot of attention. Members
renewed their commitment to Lay Collaboration as their model for ministry.
The fact that MSC members are ageing and the impact of this on staffing various ministries were also discussed.
It was decided that all ministries, including here in St Albans, would be
evaluated in the course of the next six years. There was no decision taken
to disengage from St Albans in 2006 as previously announced two years ago.
The prevailing atmosphere and spirit of the Chapter was very positive, characterised
with real commitment, enthusiasm and genuine openness. Everyone went away
filled with encouragement and hope for the future conscious that God’s Spirit
will guide them on their journey ‘empowered by Him who can do more than we can either ask or imagine’ (Eph 3.20).
|
MSC Chapter 2005 Creating a Heart with Vision for our Future
Set
against the picturesque backdrop of the MSC’s retreat home Grace Dieu in
Waterford, priests and laity from the different regions of the Irish Province
of the MSC met to plan their future mission under the Chapter banner “Creating a Heart with Vision for our Future”
England,
Ireland, Venezuela, USA, South Africa and Russia were all represented in
the programme of reflection and formulation of policies for leadership, mission,
religious life, vocation, formation, lay involvement, and disengagement/
re-engagement. The frank and open discussions within each group were grounded
in prayer and mutual respect, while the liturgies each morning and afternoon
provided the energy and the impetus to continue the intensive, occasionally
stressful, work.
Each
evening the Eucharist was celebrated by a different region using characteristic
symbols and songs. Africa for example used drums, incense and dance. Venezuela
was typically upbeat with guitars and Spanish music, the music vibrant and
joyous. Ireland and the USA used more traditional services, whilst England
decided on a low key Mass based on the theme of pilgrimage. The
English symbols were an icon of St Alban - the first martyr and lay collaborator
(he died to protect the priest he had sheltered) and symbolic
|
of the foundation
of the MSCs in England. To typify the modern MSC movement in England, an
artist's impression of the calvary scene from the basilica at Issoudun was
presented. This had been commissioned in 2002 to commemorate the first MSC
pilgrimage to Issoudun from England and Ireland. Fr Stephen 
Rogers represented
Russia, with powerful symbols of the region – each of the far flung parishes
had embroidered materials which were then sewn together to form a flag containing
at its heart the MSC symbol. He also brought some of the debris from the
Beslan school atrocity, the wallpaper and rubble were a simple yet moving
tribute to those who died. He spoke of the fear of terrorism that his parishioners
live with and the stress of his and Father Con’s life there. He
was, however, looking forward to September when he and Con would move in
together and be able to enjoy some sort of community life again.
The ten laity present shared their experiences of working with the MSC, some
as collaborators and some as members of the Lay Association. This Association
is rooted in Jules Chevalier’s vision of the spirituality of the heart; the
members meet regularly, pray and work together to respond to the challenges
of the world in which they live.
One of the readings from the liturgies contained the words “I was a stranger
here, and you welcomed me”, this was how I felt during those two weeks in
Ireland. The welcome and hospitality the lay people received, as well as
the genuine respect for our viewpoints, are obviously integral to the MSC
mission.
Sara Nash
|
