After a period of investigation and planning, Denis O’Hagan and David Kennerley have formulated an Action Plan for their ministry based at 78 Hobson St, Wellington.
Inevitability, the plan will continue to develop and grow in the months to come but some key aspects of it include:
- a major focus of the ministry will be the formation of people in the Marist Charism and Spirituality
- there will be an emphasis on the formation of young people as leaders
- there will also be an opennes to dialogue with people of other faiths and beliefs through making the facility available for meetins and prayer
- there will continue to be the opportunity for individuals to make a private retreat at 78 Hobson St
In line with the Vision Statement of the 2008 Provincial Chapter (“By 2012 New Zealand Marists will be recognised as men who have a sense of direction and call others to work with us and join us”) there has been a desire to have a lay member of the team at 78 Hobson St.
Ms Kitty McKinley has chosen to reduce her commitment to Challenge 2000 and will join Denis and David on an initial two days a week basis.
Some other consequences of the developments at 78 Hobson Street will include:
- there will be a new name for 78 Hobson Street, replacing “Emmaus”
- Jim Dooley and Lyndall Brown will be established in a new site which will enable them to continue their very valuable ministry of spiritual direction and retreat work in a quiet, reflective atmosphere