Past Events
Partnership for Mission in Asia Pacific
The First Asia Pacific Partnership Gathering – Kuala Lumpur, 15-19 June 2008
As 72 participants from
the 18 countries that make up the Asia Pacific
Provinces gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, expectations were high!
The group was made up of 42 lay people and 30 sisters. A mixture of
energies – excitement, nervousness, fear, anticipation, (as
participants realized they were out of their comfort zones!) – formed a
cocktail that propelled the group into the gathering. A Core Team made
up of representatives of lay people and sisters from the provinces of
Singapore/Malaysia and Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand had planned
over one year and worked hard, and the “on the ground” sub-committee in
Kuala Lumpur had spent months meticulously planning. They had thought
of everything! Every participant had arrived safely, with only one or
two minor delays.
As the group arrived and settled in, it was clear that expectations were high! Yet some had fundamental questions: ‘What was meant by “partnership”’? ‘How do we “do” partnership’?
In the course of the days many of these questions were addressed and people found themselves experiencing Partnership in profound and dynamic ways. For some this was a life changing experience, for others it affirmed and extended their experience. Lay participants were able to say: “I am no longer just a volunteer, I am a Good Shepherd Partner!” and “Now I understand! I know the Charism is in me and I want to work for Good Shepherd mission!” And one comment from a sister: "I came to learn about Partnership and I have experienced Partnership."
Gathered together for three and a half days in Genting View Resort in the cooler hills near KL city, the group began the process of meeting and discovering each other and the realities and cultures from which they had come. What drew this group together was quickly evident: Good Shepherd Charism and Mission.
As we listened to Keynote addresses from Sr Susan Chia (Province Leader, Singapore/Malaysia) and Michael Yore (CEO Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service in the Province of Australia/Aotearoa New Zealand) which put us in touch with Charism as the heart and centre of mission, and St Mary Euphrasia’s experience of her call and the challenge she issued to her “dear daughters”, participants began to peel away a superficial layer to reveal the deeper call that is alive in all of us: the call to identify and BE partners in Good Shepherd Mission.
Through a process ably facilitated by Sr Anne Dalton, we came to understand and deeply appreciate the centrality of Charism as Gift awakened in the heart of each one, and its place at the heart of mission.
As people identified the blocks to partnership, we faced and owned that sisters and partners are on this journey together and must take time to listen to each other with the heart. Only when we know what holds us back, what resistances we may encounter, can we work together to find ways of meeting and overcoming the barriers.
The daily rituals and liturgies were simple and motivating, offering us strength and encouragement.
As we reflected and worked together, ate and laughed, and shared stories of life and ministry together, a tangible Spirit of Hope enveloped us. We found energy in each other’s commitment. We realized we are called to Good Shepherd from different ways of life, different faith and cultural experiences, and we are on this journey together.
To journey with more than 70 people, most of whom did not know each other before, even those from the same province, was an exceptional experience of synergy and energy! It produced a very powerful experience of Partnership for Mission in Asia Pacific and for the Congregation. We could picture St Mary Euphrasia saying: “What took you so long?!”
The journey led us to a very strong realization that we are Asia-Pacific. And on the third day we reached a resounding consensus in accepting a recommendation that an Asia Pacific Partnership Committee be formed for the future of Good Shepherd Mission!
And, so we came to say farewell – in a spirit of deep and resolute understanding of Partnership. As we prepared to leave KL and go home, we came to own and proclaim in our life and work, the theme of this gathering:
Date : 15 June 2008
As the group arrived and settled in, it was clear that expectations were high! Yet some had fundamental questions: ‘What was meant by “partnership”’? ‘How do we “do” partnership’?
In the course of the days many of these questions were addressed and people found themselves experiencing Partnership in profound and dynamic ways. For some this was a life changing experience, for others it affirmed and extended their experience. Lay participants were able to say: “I am no longer just a volunteer, I am a Good Shepherd Partner!” and “Now I understand! I know the Charism is in me and I want to work for Good Shepherd mission!” And one comment from a sister: "I came to learn about Partnership and I have experienced Partnership."
Date : 16 June 2008
Gathered together for three and a half days in Genting View Resort in the cooler hills near KL city, the group began the process of meeting and discovering each other and the realities and cultures from which they had come. What drew this group together was quickly evident: Good Shepherd Charism and Mission.
Date : 17 June 2008
As we listened to Keynote addresses from Sr Susan Chia (Province Leader, Singapore/Malaysia) and Michael Yore (CEO Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service in the Province of Australia/Aotearoa New Zealand) which put us in touch with Charism as the heart and centre of mission, and St Mary Euphrasia’s experience of her call and the challenge she issued to her “dear daughters”, participants began to peel away a superficial layer to reveal the deeper call that is alive in all of us: the call to identify and BE partners in Good Shepherd Mission.
Through a process ably facilitated by Sr Anne Dalton, we came to understand and deeply appreciate the centrality of Charism as Gift awakened in the heart of each one, and its place at the heart of mission.
As people identified the blocks to partnership, we faced and owned that sisters and partners are on this journey together and must take time to listen to each other with the heart. Only when we know what holds us back, what resistances we may encounter, can we work together to find ways of meeting and overcoming the barriers.
The daily rituals and liturgies were simple and motivating, offering us strength and encouragement.
As we reflected and worked together, ate and laughed, and shared stories of life and ministry together, a tangible Spirit of Hope enveloped us. We found energy in each other’s commitment. We realized we are called to Good Shepherd from different ways of life, different faith and cultural experiences, and we are on this journey together.
To journey with more than 70 people, most of whom did not know each other before, even those from the same province, was an exceptional experience of synergy and energy! It produced a very powerful experience of Partnership for Mission in Asia Pacific and for the Congregation. We could picture St Mary Euphrasia saying: “What took you so long?!”
The journey led us to a very strong realization that we are Asia-Pacific. And on the third day we reached a resounding consensus in accepting a recommendation that an Asia Pacific Partnership Committee be formed for the future of Good Shepherd Mission!
Date : 18 June 2008
And, so we came to say farewell – in a spirit of deep and resolute understanding of Partnership. As we prepared to leave KL and go home, we came to own and proclaim in our life and work, the theme of this gathering:
“Our experience of Good
Shepherd draws us together
The strength of our partnership propels us out for mission.”
The strength of our partnership propels us out for mission.”
Caroline Price
Comunications Coordinator
APP Core Team
Melbourne,
29 June 2008