Bill Dowling (New Zealand), John Ahern (South Australia) and Sean McManus (Melbourne)
The Christian Brothers -
Oceania Chapter News, April 2022
Day 4 ~ “This Chapter captured the wider sense of our brothers and our network of people…”
The three Brothers sharing how the events of Day 4 of the Oceania Chapter have moved them are Br David Silva, Oceania Province Leader Br Gerard Brady, and Br Senan D’Souza.
The conclusion of a Chapter draws together the ideas, discussion and debate which was had during the gathering.
During the Chapter, thirty five Christian Brothers assembled at Baulkham Hills in Greater Western Sydney, NSW and had the opportunity to gather and consider the issues, front and centre, currently facing the Brotherhood.
Key considerations for the group included their ongoing service and the climate crisis facing us all, particularly acute for island communities of the Oceania Province.
The Chapter gave the Brothers the chance to refresh and revitalise through prayer and contemplation, reenergising their commitment and renewing their spirit.
Throughout, the discussions focussed on how the Chapter experience and messages could be carried into everyday life following the Chapter’s conclusion.
Some of the most important insights can occur as a Chapter draws to a close.
The post-Chapter period is a good time to integrate or digest the benefits, learning, and discussion that came from being gathered together.
Great insight can also be had at the conclusion of the Chapter and in the days immediately following.
The Brothers who gathered ended the Chapter with the intention to process and integrate the experience into their work and lives. In this way, Chapter 2022 has great lasting value much like predecessor Chapter gatherings.
Day 3 ~ “I'm at the Chapter because I care…”
In a changing world where transformation is across every part of daily life, how do we continue to care for each other? For the Brotherhood? And fundamentally, for what sustains our life - the environment.
The observations by the brothers in today’s interview indicate the shared thoughts and ideas of how can we care for each other? Because we do all care for each other.
Those gathered at the Chapter acknowledge the challenges ahead of supporting each other in brotherhood.
Maybe a large part of this is in asking “How have you gone?” And further, in positively reinforcing each other and praising work and commitment that’s been well done. Many good works are undertaken by the Christian Brothers across the Oceania region, and across the globe, that may go unnoticed or unacknowledged. The challenge is to bring these positive experiences and impactful stories to light. They inspire us and they help us to learn. “How have you gone?”
The three Brothers sharing how the events of Day 3 of the Oceania Chapter have moved them are Marty McHugh Mt Isa), Frank O’Shea (Geelong), and Bernard White (PNG)
In tandem with the deep commitment of the brotherhood is the ominous challenges facing humanity through climate change.
“We are in the crucible. I believe what emerges from this time onwards will be the most elemental form of human solidarity, a sacred commitment, and something that stands the test of time.”
~ Dr Carmody Grey, 2022
Our values, our faith, and our ability to evangelise both are what Dr Carmody Grey urges us to do. It is not the facts of the climate crisis that will make a difference, Carmody tells us. It is not loving nature more. She encourages us to think deeper. She leads us down a path back to ourselves, by way of our ancient traditions and the spirituality of our faith communities.
We are invited to enter into this urgent dialogue. What values will be at the heart of the environmental movement’s civil resistance, at this critical moment in history? What is it that we love?
"...Tell me what you love and I will tell you who you are.”
~ St Augustine
Day 2 ~ Brotherhood, Commitment, Spirituality and Mission…
“We began in the main Chapel and quietly were challenged with questions of suffering and pain in the world and in our own world…
the experience of that reflective space that we were invited into today was what's the consciousness that's emerging, but also somewhere, there was the opportunity….
The invitation to us to express the pain in the landscape, the countryside, the country of our life, it could be literally the land we're in, but also the country of our life, the ground that we're standing on…
And the brothers reflected deeply and we responded…all of it was capturing great honesty and real depth…”
The three Brothers sharing how the events of Day 2 of the Oceania Chapter have moved them are Martin Sanderson (OLT Member), Pat Carey (Adelaide), and Gerard Bennett (Melbourne).
"... And I think it also reflected the deep passions and commitment of spirituality and mission that the brothers hold within themselves and share in Brotherhood...."
~ Br Marty Sanderson, April 2022
Day 1 ~ Opening Doors and Crossing Bridges…
Day 1 of the Chapter has seen the recognition of the strength of the Edmund Rice brotherhood. Brs Bill Dowling, John Ahearn and Sean McManus reflect on maintaining this faith and continuing to “help people open doors and cross bridges”. The assistance, pastoral care and inspiration we provide to others, remains our focus. For those who can open the door (or be helped to open the door), will find that what awaits them is the peace and awareness of God’s great creation which we can see everyday.
Bill Dowling (New Zealand), John Ahern (South Australia) and Sean McManus (Melbourne) relect on Day 1 of the Oceania Chapter.
Greetings from Baulkham Hills where over thirty Christian Brothers are gathered for the second and final part of the Oceania Chapter.
The Edmund Rice Tradition
Our History
From the humblest of beginnings in 1802, Blessed Edmund Rice and his Christian Brothers have grown from their first stable school in Waterford in post-Penal Ireland, to classrooms and ministries in 29 countries across the globe.
Resources
The Oceania Province assists people wishing to source material about the Christian Brothers and more specifically about the Brothers in the Oceania Region.
“Be intent on prayer and whatever may happen will turn to our good”
Edmund Rice
Akaroa, Christchurch, New Zealand