The provincial council went to Greytown for the first week in February. During that time one day was given over to what you might call the ordinary agenda for a council meeting and the rest of the time was spent primarily on what could be called the beginnings of a new pastoral plan. The chapter held in October last year proposed a number of tasks for the provincial and council to accomplish. While in a certain sense there are four years in which to get these matters completed, Council generally adopted the principle that there’s no time like the present and made plans for each of the decisions made at chapter.
As well, the council attempted to take a broad brush approach to matters it felt were necessary for the province and these too were placed on the pastoral plan. What follows is a quick fly-by of these. More will obviously come to light as the plan unfolds and each issue gets dealt with in the way it is planned. From the Chapter
- The first matter was how to implement the Vision Statement and to apply its criteria to planning and decision making. As well there were ways devised as to how to inform the province better of the impact that we believe that Chapter meant the Vision statement to have as a directional tool for the province through to 2012.
- The Chapter recommended a meeting be held before July 2010 for those under 60 years of age. It was envisaged that this meeting was an important one for the younger members of the province particularly to develop a unity of purpose and mission in the province. Council decided to nominate June 2010 as the time for the meeting so that all who might be eligible for it can plan well in advance to be at it.
- Higher studies and Professional Development was a priority for the chapter. Council decided that candidates and areas of study should be identified, as well opportunities for larger groups to update in specific areas of professional development was planned.
- Chapter asked for opportunities for confreres to update their liturgical skills and a plan was started to identify possible providers for this and a Provincial Committee to oversee it.
- Chapter was concerned that communities and individuals had not dealt with all the consequences of the problems of sexual abuse and a plan was commenced to develop ways in which these matters could be addressed in community for the province.
- Other aspects of community life and how we live together including attempting to build communities of 4-5, simplicity in our style of life and assisting confreres to affirm the value of each other were suggested by the chapter and council began a plan to achieve that.
- A remit sent to chapter by Gerard Whiteford asking the Provincial and Council to facilitate a discussion within the province re the fundamental template on which we live our religious life was adopted at the Chapter. Council felt that this discussion might best be thought through with the assistance of some greater expertise and so developed a plan to consult with a couple of people who might assist us in this matter.
- Chapter considered that Ministry to Maori should continue to have priority for resources and this will be implemented through annual budget requests.
- Those Marists working in Youth Ministry and those who work with us will continue to have an annual meeting for planning, the sharing of resources and developing more of a corporate ministry. Planning for that will take place through existing groups. It will encompass all Marists whose primary apostolate is Youth Ministry.
- Chapter asked that a regular review of recruitment be put in place by the Provincial and Council and that this should be coordinated with other ministries where vocations might bear fruit. Council will begin this review and will seek outside help for a more in-depth look at how, where and who we attract to join us and the procedures that are in place for vocations and accompaniment.
- A review of Formation practices was also recommended by Chapter. This was not asked for because of any urgent need but rather as a consequence of the changing face of Formation over the last few years. A greater involvement in international formation such as the English Speaking Novitiate, the addition of Oceania Seminarians at Auckland and the Cross cultural pastoral placement have all been part of the change and council will evaluate what elements are necessary at each stage of formation and how they can be fulfilled.
Chapter’s recommendation of commissioning an actuarial report was given in the first instance to the Provincial Bursar and the Finance Committee. Chapter’s hope was that this report would give us better information on forward planning in terms of finances and how we can or cannot spend resources as time goes on and the number of Marists declines. This report will be complex and will take some time.
Other matters dealt with, some will form elements of the Pastoral Plan:
- The Handbook and what will be in it.
- Who, what and how will the administration of the province function while General Chapter is on? Merv Duffy will be on sabbatical, Peter Roe will be on renewal and Brian and Tim will be at the chapter. Suffice it to say we hope Phil will cope with a little help from his friends including Pat Brophy.
- Regions: It seems we have reduced to three: Auckland & the North, Wellington, and South. Some centrally located communities are travelling larger distances and some are flying to meetings.
- The timing of admission of Candidates to formation
- Professional Development for Provincial Council members.
- Aged Care coordinator and facilities
- Follow up to the General Chapter Meetings in Auckland on Fri 13 November and Wellington 20 November (to coincide with Provincial Retreats)
- Reconfiguration – continuing to collaborate with Australia
- The future of Good Shepherd College as it is affected by the proposed plan for a single national provider
- The possibility of moving to a larger province centre
- The future housing needs of Marists in the Wellington area. Generally speaking, a lot was achieved in a short time at Greytown. The annual planning meeting sets the agenda for the year, so council begins the year well focussed on the tasks and the plan to achieve them.