Work to deliver on Mission Assembly outcomes continues at Oxford gathering

The work to deliver on the outcomes of the District Mission Assembly gathered momentum this week when the District MEL Council and District Teams (Provincial Team, Mission Team and other District personnel) met for detailed discussions.

Over three days in Oxford, the groups began the process of planning the next steps that will ultimately bring the seven Directional Statements to fruition.

The gatherings, which also discussed dates for key events in the 2023/24 academic year, were attended by the new Director of Formation, Pat Walsh, ahead of his official start in September.

Proceedings began with a meeting of the District MEL Council on Monday, with the Leadership joining on Tuesday for what proved to be a very busy and but productive schedule.

The deliberations began with a reflection and evaluation of the District Mission Assembly followed by discussions on the integration of the 46th General Chapter, III AIMEL and the Leavening Project with the outcomes of the District Mission Assembly.

Firstly, in small groups, followed by discussions in the whole group, the gathering identified what Direction Statements need to be prioritised, what needs to be scaffolded and what the various District MEL Council (with the support of the MEL Committees) could be directly responsible for or involved in.

The meeting also looked ahead to the RELEM Assembly (which will look at devising further collaboration and synergy among the Districts and Delegations in Europe and the Mediterranean) in 2024 and considered dates for key events and new initiatives over the coming year.  The Mission Team also met to formally welcome Pat Walsh on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday morning, the District Team meeting began with Brother Visitor Ben Hanlon marking the start of the new four-year term by thanking all members of the team for their efforts on behalf of the District. He also welcomed Pat Walsh to the team and wished him luck in his new role.

The group considered the views on the Direction Statements and began to put together a timeline as to how those objectives can be achieved over the next four years.

It was also an opportunity for the District Team to express their thanks to Jo Millea for the impact she has had on our District as Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry over the past two years.

The team took the opportunity to express their gratitude for wonderful contribution she has made as a colleague and a friend in that time. Although Jo will return to her teaching post in De La Salle School St Helens, she will continue to work with the team on specific projects.