Oceania Updates - Edmund Rice

Volume 6 No. 119 4 April 2013A further stage of A Way Into the Future completed - WORLDIt is good for us all on CLT to be back in Rome. Our journeys to share the Proposition with all the Brothersare over, ending in Miami and Chicago. We are delighted with the response across the Congregation. In mostareas over ninety per cent of Brothers came to the gatherings and everywhere there was genuine engagement inthe challenging process. Thank you, Brothers!We will spend the weeks after Easter in reading over the points made at the gatherings and the feedback manyBrothers are sending into their Provinces this month. This will lead to a re-working of the Proposition in thelight of the suggestions received. You will receive the final version before the end of April.We are currently spending a lot of time around planning for A Way into the Future. Please keep us in yourprayer as we try to listen to the Spirit.Francis Hall cfc for the CLTThe Gift of HopeLast week in Perth, at the Edmund Rice Network annual Sundowner gathering, Steve Bowman ended thegathering by reading the following reflection:The Four Candles burned slowly.Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...The first candle said, ‘I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.’Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.The second candle said, ‘I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.’Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.1

Sadly the third candle spoke, ‘I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer.’‘People put me aside and don't understand my importance.They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.’And waiting no longer, Love went out completely.Suddenly...A child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning.The child began to cry,‘Why are you not burning?You are supposed to stay lit until the end.’Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the child,‘Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn,we can re-light the other candles.’With shining eyes, the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.Never let the Flame of Hope go out.With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be,Peace, Faith and Love may shine brightly once again.Kieran Fouhy, principal of St Peter’s College Auckland, would oftenstate that hope was at the heart of a Catholic school community.Over the past few weeks, we have definitely a sense of a renewedhope with the election of Pope Francis. Judging by his actions, heseems to be a person who is grounded, whose focus is about peopleespecially people made poor, who is not afraid to live out the valueshe believes in as has been shown in his approach to ritual, hisdecision about transport, how he dresses and where he lives. Hope isa powerful force for change.Some of the many developments and events around the Network which give hope are:• The community engagement model that is being developed with our projects and communities inthe Philippines.• A talk given by Heather Brett at the Western Australian Network Sundowner function, about theinspiring work undertaken at the Geraldton Flexible Learning Centre• The significant impact on people of the Edmund Rice Foundation’s Gone Fishing immersionprogramme which has been highlighted in recent articles appearing in Australian newspapers.• Callan Services’ programmes at the new Callan Special Education Resource Centre in Gerehu forstreet kids in Port Moresby.• The recent appointments of Mark McGlaughlin and Matt Johnson to key new roles in the ProvinceMission Directorate.• Cath Ford’s decision to take private vows inspired by the charism of Edmund Rice.• The developments in Adelaide with the Build the Bridge programme and Edmund Rice Camps.• The discussions among the Brothers about the Proposition – A Way into the Future.You would be able to name similar developments and experiences.For the Brothers the discussions around the evolving proposition - A Way into the Future - have beenimagining a future religious life and congregation. It is the result of reflecting on a journey which probablystarted thirty years ago with the 1982 spirituality conference growing understanding of Edmund’s charism and2

what was at the heart of the inspiration, the blessing and the gift. For the Brothers, this journey has continuedto evolve through many congregation chapters and spirituality conferences. Something that is grounded in thechallenge and inspiration of the gospels, but which is also about engaging with communities and people madepoor.The challenge now is for all the groups and sectors of the Network to continue to reflect on what is at theheart of the Edmund Rice inspiration especially for each Edmund Rice group and entity for the 21 st centuryand also to reflect on the best way to engage especially with people made poor, with communities in need, withthe planet, with the people of God, as we are all on an immersion journey together not only in life but also inthe grounded mystery we call God. Key to that discussion is also the question of self-sustainability and interconnectednessfor each Edmund Rice group and entity. With hope, we strive to be that better world in whichlike the story of the four candles, peace, love and faith are obvious.Paul RobertsonEdmund Rice Network - OceaniaIf you use Facebook, there is a new Facebook page for theEdmund Rice Network Oceania. The purpose of this page is togive people, who wish to receive it, a sense of the entire OceaniaNetwork through the daily publication of one item which includesa photo and brief text. The daily item may be: a news item; information about a group; a brief report on anevent; about a person in the Network; or something to think about.To receive the item, log on at Facebook and go to http://www.facebook.com/EdmundRiceNetworkOceaniaand then click on the ‘like’ button.CSNU holds Child Protection Workshop – PAPUA NEW GUINEAThe staffs of Callan Services National Unit and Callan StudiesNational Unit all gathered for a one-week workshop on childprotection held at the Christian Brothers Chapel in Wewak,East Sepik Province, PNG. During the workshop theparticipants were introduced to the different child developmenttheories. The theories included Erickson’s psycho-socialdevelopment, Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory andBowlby Attachment Theory.Directory of Callan Services National Unit, Br Kevin Ryan wasone of the presenters and accompanied him was Jane Saun,National Trainer in Eye and Ear and currently as childprotection officer. The workshop was exciting and includedPowerPoint presentation, group work, discussion and sharingof case studies about child neglect and maltreatment.Jane Saun, Lucy Aupong, Marietta Kabatara,Fidelma Seo and John Munum discuss childprotectionPatrick HikinsInsightsIssue 1 28 March 20133

Director Province Mission NewsletterDear Brothers, Colleagues and Friends“When I am downand, oh my soul, soweary;When troubles comeand my heartburdened be;Then, I am still andwait here in thesilence,Until you come andsit awhile with me.”(You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban)The Josh Groban classic reminds us of the gift of the risen Christ andthe continuous presence of the Spirit within and beyond ourselves.Easter is a time when we do ‘sit for a while,’ engage the silence andcome to appreciate the significance of Faith as it sustains and givesmeaning to our life. Easter of course is celebrated as a time of God’sYES to the life of Christ and our belief that the Christ of Mysterycontinues to be present. Bishop William Morris was often quoted forhis Easter challenge: ‘to be evidence of the Resurrection’ and so sharethe gift of Easter in real ways – in places and circumstances where needs are greatest.Perhaps this is in situations ‘when troubles come and my heart burdened be’. As I movearound the Province one of the real difficulties is finding/giving time to ‘sitting for awhile’ and perhaps engaging at least the silence or being available to listen to the Spiritmoving in others.Thanks to Phil Glendenning and the Edmund Rice Justice Centre people for comingtogether last week. Our discussion around mission certainly reminded me of theimportance of language and the value of hearing perspectives as top priorities and beliefsabout mission. The conversation continues this week with Board members joining theOceania Leadership Team in conversations around vision and purpose; particularly with aview to ensuring the Board’s Constitution is aligned to these parameters. It is also anopportunity to thank Professor Jude Butcher cfc for his longstanding leadership of theBoard and to members generally who have so generously given of themselves and theirresources to the mission of the centre in supporting the very needy.Brother Neville Thornton and I were privileged to visit St. Leo’s Residential College(University of Queensland) this week. Neville was a previous leadership team member ofthe College and myself a longstanding friend of the Rector, Brother Vince Skelly. Wedelighted in the catch up and opportunity to learn of the ministry that has now beenentrusted to the Brothers for some ten years. The experience was memorable – as was themorning tea! However, what does really impress on occasions such as this is therealisation that while Brother Vince and the community of Brothers Rob Callen and BobWallace make such a remarkable contribution, so do so many other Brothers andcommunities which operate under separate Canonical and Civil arrangements. Thegenerosity and diffused contribution of the Brothers to ‘the Kingdom’ is extraordinary.Next week our ministry support Coordinators meet with our central leadership group tointegrate the strategic plans of the three earlier Directorates along with reviewing andcombining the wisdom from the Ministries Conference of last year together with my ownreflections in the Report – Imagination for Mission. Hopefully, the experience will notonly advance our efforts organisationally but importantly build deeper connections amongoverall team leaders. Perhaps more than most other occasions we might enter the silenceand take time to ‘sit awhile’.Have a blessed fortnight.Bill SultmannDirector Province MissionPRESENCE COMPASSION LIBERATION4

Edmund Rice Foundation (Australia)Kylie Lang ArticlesRecently, Updates published an article entitled, My Eyes Opened in Africa, by Kylie Lang, a recently returnedparticipant in the Gone Fishing East Africa Immersion Program. A longer article has been in preparationwhich Kylie managed to get published in every capital city over the Easter weekend (though we are not sureabout Perth). From all reports the feedback, emails, Facebook, Twitter etc has been overwhelmingly positive.Kylie is the editor of the Brisbane Courier Mail QWeekend supplement and a senior editor with the CourierMail.The Edmund Rice Network owes Kylie Lang a huge debt of gratitude. The Easter weekend is known in thenewspaper industry as the most important weekend in their calendar year due to the number of people whopurchase newspapers over the extended long weekend. To have these positive stories published about theBrothers and their development projects over the weekend has provided a huge 'shot in the arm' inbroadcasting the extraordinary work taking place within the network. If you would like to send Kylie a messageher email is: kylie.lang@news.com.auTo access the articles published around Australia – click on the links below:QWeekend March 30 Brisbane Courier Mail March 28Sunday Herald Sun Page1 Page 2 Page 3Adelaide Advertiser Page 1 Page 2 Page 3Daily Telegraph Page 1 Page 2Some of the Gone Fishing participants with local guides at the Mukuru slum tip,Nairobi, KenyaVisit the website of the Edmund Rice Foundation (Australia) at http://erf.org.au/Robert Stone cfcFoundation Office5

ER Camps farewells Executive Officer – NEW SOUTH WALESStephen & AprilCooperAfter nine years in leadership of Edmund Rice Camps NSW Stephen Cooper hasoffered his resignation. Steve or ‘Scoops’ (as he is known affectionately to Campleaders, families and youngsters) began his involvement with Edmund Rice Camps asa volunteer in January 1998. From 2004 to the present Steve has been involved in theleadership of programs, volunteers and in more recent years been the ExecutiveOfficer of ER Camps NSW. He has developed a close working relationship withagencies and families in the Western suburbs of Sydney and with indigenous eldersand communities in the north-western rural communities of Bowraville, Goodooga,Gulargambone and Walgett.Those who know Steve appreciate his genuine interest, approachable nature andwelcoming presence. He has been able to gather volunteers around him to exercisetheir leadership skills and initiatives. Edmund Rice Camps NSW will be indebted toSteve’s contribution to the lives of the children and young people who he has served very faithfully over hismany years of involvement.Steve will now concentrate his efforts on continuing his university studies in Bachelor of Primary Education.In addition he will become a home-dad to his daughter Olivia while his wife April, who has been involved inCamps and the Edmund Rice Network, returns to full -time employment. We wish Steve and his family everybest wish and blessing for his future.There will be an opportunity for us to gather in early June to thank Steve for all he has done for Edmund RiceCamps NSW.ERN Conference 11-12 May 2013 – NEW ZEALANDMANA HIKO (Awakening the Dreamer)Gerard Brady cfcFor more details and how to enrol visit us on Facebook here6

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans update –AUSTRALIAI have had a long association with this very active, influential group,most particularly in my recent role as chair of the Human Rightssubcommittee’s inquiry into Sexual Slavery.The group has been active in this matter and also forced marriagesespecially of young people, working recently with a number ofCatholic schools. They have also managed to do messages in fivelanguages to raise awareness of this issue.Noelene Simmons sm, Christine Carolan,Maree Marsh csb, Laurie Ferguson MP,Shane Wood cfcFinally, another facet of their work has been to try and assist theGovernment fulfill Julia Gillard’s announcement that Australia wouldseek to ensure a supply chain on government purchases, free fromforced labour inputs.Read the complete report on the website hereLaurie Ferguson MPBeing a Big Buddy – a challenge to make life better – QUEENSLANDMackenzie Taylor Elizabeth Underwood andDannielle Thorman from St. Patrick’s Collegehaving fun at the Edmund Rice ‘Buddies’ campLast year, during the holidays, St Patrick’s CollegeTownsville students Liz Underwood, Dannielle Thormanand I spent a week of our holidays as ‘big buddy’ volunteersat the Edmund Rice camp at Camp Kanga near Proserpine.The camps are held three times a year and rotate betweenthree different venues. The purpose of the camps is toprovide a safe, fun camping situation for children who mostneed the experience of a happy and caring community.Many of the young people who are selected to attend thecamps have missed out on the opportunities for personaland social development that most of us enjoy as we grow up.Looking at the camps from an outsider’s point of view, thefour days seem like just a whole lot of games and activities,but there is much more to being a Big Buddy. Apart fromlearning the games and songs, there was emphasis on the factthat we were responsible for out little buddy’s safety and wellbeing.On the second day we finally got to meet our own‘little buddy’. At that moment I realised that she was probably feeling just as nervous as I was. Our four days atcamp were filled with lots of fun activities including swimming, bushwalking, arts and crafts and surpriseevents. While our little charges left with happy memories and souvenirs, we also collected some specialkeepsakes which would remind us of one of the most rewarding times of our lives.There are no phones, no cameras and no watches in our camp. It’s never 10 o’clock or 12 o’clock – it’s just‘swim time’ or ‘time for lunch’. There really isn’t any ‘me time’; it is always ‘buddy time’. Saying ‘goodbye’ toour little buddies on the final day was a sad time, but the feeling of accomplishment was huge. Words can’treally explain how good it feels to have been able to make the camp a good experience for one little kid. Forme, the four days represent one chance to show that good things can still happen, even when life isn’t alwaysgreat. The Edmund Rice Camp was a wonderful chance to meet people you wouldn’t usually have the7

opportunity to know. Many volunteers like myself have attended more than one camp. It is a life-changingexperience, not just for the little buddies, but for the big buddies as well. Personally, I can’t wait for anotherchance to be a ‘Big Buddy’.Mackenzie TaylorYear 12St Patrick’s College TownsvillePhoto and story courtesy of the Townsville BulletinPOSITIONS VACANT - NEW SOUTH WALESExecutive Officer – Edmund Rice Camps NSWEdmund Rice Camps is a charitable organization which provides a variety of qualitydevelopmental, residential and recreational experiences for children and youngpeople who otherwise would not be able to access such programs.We are currently in the process of implementing our new strategic plan and areseeking a new Executive Officer to head the strong development of Edmund RiceCamps NSW, both strategically and operationally. The Executive Officer will have adesire to:• Take up a leadership role in the Edmund Rice tradition in providing children and young people with theopportunity for fun and learning in outdoor recreational program.• Want to work with young adult volunteers to facilitate the development of their leadership and socialengagement interests and skills• Emulate strong social justice values, enthusiasm, innovation, and have great interpersonal and strongorganization skillsThe position is a three year contract position based at Homebush West. Salary package, including a car, will becommensurate with experience.For more information on Application Process/Selection Criteria contact:Eastern Regional Coordinator, Br Gerard Brady during office hours (02) 9810 3922Applications close FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2013 at 5:00pm (AEST)For Position Description and Selection Criteria visit the website hereVisit the Edmund Rice Camps website at http://www.edmundricecamps.org/Inter-faith Calendar - WORLDVisit the Inter-Faith Calendar 2013 hereOceania UpdatesPlease send any information or news items for Oceania Updates to the ProvincePublications Coordinator, Brother Nev Thornton, Email: ntthornton@edmundrice.orgI am particularly interested in receiving any good quality images of people, places, sights andfaces throughout Oceania.8