Ultan Naughton attended the annual gathering of brothers and sisters in initial formation held at the Father Damien House of Spirituality in
Jerez de la Frontera February 24-26. All the brothers and sisters in formation from the Iberian Peninsula participated. The theme of the gathering was “The experience of God.” There was time for reflection, recreation, prayer, witness and especially for sharing our lives, vocations and our personal experience of God. The night of Saturday to Sunday we had adoration, each one taking a turn,
an experience greatly appreciated by all, reported Ultan. Everyone was very thankful for the creative work of the organizers and especially the involvement of all the participants, which helped to create a real sense of SS.CC. brother/sisterhood.

At the end of the Assembly last year, leaders of the three branches of the Congregation met to explore the charism in light of a rapidly changing Church within Ireland and England. This, perhaps, was the first time that brothers, sisters and lay associates together contemplated the charism and explored together where it might lead... a significant shift from focusing on ministry and community from within the respective groups.

What is this charism? For our founders and for the SSCC it is a particular insight, intuition, experience of God that shapes and forms how we are with each other (community) and how we reach out to others (mission). This insight leads us to an awareness of God who overlooks, who pardons, who understands, who is with us in our weakness. In these uncertain and stressful times in the world and in the church people are looking for reassurance, guidance, support and compassion. We have something to offer. What might be the ways that brothers, sisters and laity can take this conviction forward and be the Good News that we are called to transmit to church and world?

The SSCC brothers, sisters and lay associates were asked to reflect on this over the weeks ahead and look at possible practical ways to bring this forward.

In the Summer, the Parish Pastoral Group of
St Augustine’s Church in Daventry decided to
organise a “home grown‟ Mission and much
work has gone on within the various groups
to bring this to fruition. The various “themes‟
for the four evenings were Discipleship, Community,
Prayer and Youth followed on the
Saturday by Mass with anointing of the sick.
The local SSCC group in Daventry took on
the theme of Discipleship and all members
of the group contributed in one way or another
in putting together a presentation
around scripture, music, prayers and guided
reflections attempting to offer our definition of
discipleship and question how it affects our
life as a follower of Christ. A prayer card for
the Mission was created by the group and a
bookmark highlighting Discipleship and suggested
text also created.
Pat and Sybil Herlihy (Daventry) inspired by
Teresa Forry’s (Acton) trip to India, expressed
a wish to help support a particular
SSCC mission project in Bhubaneswar,
Orissa, Eastern India. This project is known
as the Damien Social Development Institute
(DSDI) and is dedicated to providing vital services
to the poor and abandoned in India,
and in particular to those suffering from Hansen’s
Disease (leprosy) and those living with
AIDS/HIV. Inspired by the example of Father
Damien of Molokai and believing that human
life is a gift from God, DSDI seeks to promote
the values of commitment, compassion and
service to those entrusted to their care.
Daventry’s support of DSDI is through simple
fundraising: tea/coffee mornings; book-sales,
sales and donations.

The Irish  LayAssociates (18) continue to remember
us all in their daily prayer and weekly adoration.
Formation of new members is ongoing
with inputs from various SSCC sisters and
brothers. Ann Padden of the Sruleen group
has just taken her first three year commitment.
An annual Mass for the sick followed
by tea and coffee was hosted and celebrated
in the Sruleen parish. Five of the Irish members
joined the Lay Associates in England for
a weekend retreat in Buckden Towers, led by
Fr Michael Ruddy, ss.cc. It was a grace-filled
time. Fr Michael will also lead the Lay Associates
in Ireland in a half day of reflection for
Advent. The group in Ireland decided to
dedicate 2011 to supporting Inhaminga and
to that end money was collected money during
the year.

Adventure Retreats Ireland, the youth retreat initiative of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in Cootehill has reported that a total of 948 young people have been on retreat with the project since it opened its doors in late September 2011 for year two of its operation. Project director, Shane Halpin said, "This represents a four fold increase on the same time last year as to date we have had 17 retreats in just two months." The team which is made up of five young adults is delighted with the response. Team leader Gareth McNulty, now in his second year with ARI said,"The response has been very positive and we are busy almost every week with either an insitu school retreat in the locality or adventure retreat. We are looking forward to even more opportunities in the new year."

The project is still offering local Monaghan schools free transport to and from the centre as part of its efforts to increase awareness of this exciting youth initiative.

Image: ARI 2012 team - Mickenzie, Gareth, Becca, Allison and Todd at Damien Centre, Tanagh, Cootehill