Steering Group meeting 15/12/07

Brothers Communities in the United Kingdom
Report of Steering Group Meeting
at St John’s House, St Helens
15th December 2007.

Present: Bros Benedict Foy,fsc; James Hayes,FIC; and Michael Newman OH.

Gathering after Mass with the community we reflected over events in the course of the year – some of which – like the retreat at Worth were really wonderful and others like the failure of the Study Day and Gatherings to take place were very disappointing. We speculated on the reasons for these experiences. Discs of materials from Worth Retreat will be circulated over Christmas period to those who participated.

Those who participated in the Worth Abbey Retreat for Brothers from any congregation.

Benedict shared experience of NoV Day in Oscott / proposals for Institute for Religious Life based on Heythrop.

We agreed that the two key foci of our group continue to be
- Promotion of the Brothers Vocation
- Encouraging Brothers in their Vocation

Looking to the future we agreed the following:
Meeting of Provincials / Delegates for Brothers / Vocation Directors / Representatives 1st April 2008 at St Vincent’s Centre, Carlyle Place, Westminster. (Date now confirmed 17/12/07). Benedict to make arrangements and to write to all male religious orders and follow up with reminders

Agenda: Review past activities - what has happened / buffers
Share present experiences: re vocations, formation
Future planning

- Propose Conference “Future of Brotherhood as a Mode of Religious Life”.
Spring 2009 possibly in Liverpool, Leeds or Bournemouth
Anglophone but inviting Ireland, Scotland and Europe participation?
Possible speakers include someone “Marketing Religious Life”, Sean Sammon, General of OH., James Hayes, Paul Bednarcyzk,

- Organising a different type of Brothers Gathering
A Saturday / Sunday gathering in different parts of the country : residential
Arranged by member of this group / (others?) supporting each other

- We will continue to make concerted efforts to contact brothers in other Congregations / Orders

- Collaboration on Vocation Promotion – we agreed that this is essential and will investigate attendance at Catholic Youth Days / Gatherings eg Diocesan / National (Youth 2000, New Dawn) Benedict to invite ourselves to such gatherings.

- Michael will look into mobile exhibition material re Brothers Vocations

- James will look into cost and proposal for Brother Website, links and possible sponsorship. Should it be a data-base type or an active site?

- National Vocations Sunday 15th April. Some Brothers took part in Church talks this year. Hospitallers and De La Salle are committed to being involved this coming years – others ?

- For Provincials meeting – what formation is being offered for Brothers? Initial and continuing? Is formation of associates taking focus away from Brothers?

- We will collaborate in organising a weekend for potential vocations for Brothers.

- We were most grateful for the hospitality and warm welcome offered by the Brothers at St John’s House.

Personal Testimony - Bro. James Hayes

This is a version of a page that already exists on my web site, where I give a personal testimony about my vocation as a De La Mennais Brother. It was adapted and partly re-written for Vocations Sunday on the 4th Sunday of Easter for use in vocations resources.

******************************

My vocational journey began when I was in my mid-teens, as a feeling that God was asking me to give my life to him in some way. I didn’t know how at that point; whether it would lead me to the priesthood or the religious life. Through personal prayer and a variety of experiences and encounters over the next few years, I began to feel God pointing me towards life as a teaching Brother and, in particular, towards the Brothers who ran my school (the De La Mennais Brothers).

I simply had to say “Yes” to him and trust that he would guide me on the path ahead, because I had no idea where this was going to lead me.

On pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella with my good friend, Bro. Henri Rivoalen in 1999.

I seemed to have instinctively known, however, that responding to God with a “Yes” would lead me on the path to the greatest possible joy and contentment in my life. And my cup certainly overflowed in this respect during my life as a Brother. I cannot imagine any other way of life that would make me happier this time. Also, I can honestly say that since about the age of 17 and my “Yes” to God, I have never doubted the fact that God has called (and is still calling) me to be a De La Mennais Brother.

In Lourdes with the HCPT when I was 17. Next to me is Brother Gregory Casey, an English De La Mennais Brother who was based in Southampton but who spent 9 months every year for 21 years in Lourdes, working for all the English-speaking pilgrims (eg. making sure they had English Masses, getting them involved in the Blessed Sacrament Procession, Rosary on the Basilica steps, etc...). Known by Bishops and priests from all over the world through his work in Lourdes, the man was a legend. A very humble, down-to-earth, football loving saint of a man with a tremendous devotion to Mary.


However, it was only gradually, over the next few years, that my initial “Yes” transformed itself into a personal relationship with God. Experiences such as a pilgrimage to Lourdes were important landmarks for me. I gradually became more sensitive to his presence in my life to the point of being able to say that I felt and still feel God's love for me and for the whole of humanity very strongly and in a variety of ways: through my prayer life both with my community and in my personal prayer, through encounters with other people and long-standing friendships, through the joys of making and listening to music and through the beauty of God's creation.

I also experience God's love through a better knowledge and understanding of the Bible, especially of the life of Jesus Christ and of his invitation to all of us to willingly accept God's love as His adopted sons and daughters - a love that manifests itself most clearly in Jesus, his Son, dying for love of you and me. 

I was not sensitive to this love when I decided to take the plunge and respond to God’s call to become a Brother, but I definitely felt an invitation inside of me to enter into a relationship with God. One that I felt I should not say no to, even though I did not know where it would lead me. I now know that the invitation was not to a closed relationship with God through life as a Brother. Following the model of his trinitarian relationship with Jesus his Son, from which comes the outpouring of the Spirit (the expression of their mutual love), it was rather an invitation to open my heart out to God’s people and share with them his wonderful, limitless, infinitely generous love. All Christians are sent into the world to be God's ambassadors in this way, to help other people come closer to God through letting his love radiate from us to all. As a Teaching Brother, I am called to fulfil that role especially in schools and in working with young people in general.

English and French Brothers together in Liverpool.

At present I am school Chaplain and teacher in a large boys’ Catholic comprehensive in Liverpool (my subjects being Film Studies, Music and R.E. I also conduct the school orchestra and lead the staff/pupil worship band). I thoroughly enjoy working with the young. Even though my lay colleagues are wonderful teachers and tremendously dedicated, I feel very strongly that together with my fellow Brothers I have something different and special to offer the school community in part simply by the fact of being a Brother in its midst. I know that the training I have received and the years spent living in community following a daily prayer routine (including daily Mass) have made me a better person and one who is much more confident in the expression of his own faith.

Colleagues and parents say to us that the school would not be the same without us, though they maybe struggle to put their finger on exactly how. It is perhaps in part because we are a sign of God’s Kingdom here on earth through the radical nature of our commitment to him, expressed through the 3 vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Hopefully, by who we are and what we stand for, we show to young people the truth of what they learn in their R.E. lessons and contribute to “making Jesus Christ better known and loved”, this being the aim of our work as De La Mennais Brothers. But in actual fact, all we can do is sow seeds that through the grace of God may one day bear fruit and in most cases without us knowing.

Technorati Tags: brother, contemplation, divine love, religious life, vocation

Meeting of Brothers Provincials and Vocation Directors 05/02/07

Here are belated minutes of our annual meeting (a bit low in numbers this year):

Report of Meeting of Brothers Provincials and Vocation Directors
Monday 5th February 2007. 26 Half Moon Lane, LONDON SE24 9HU

Present: Brothers Benedict Foy fsc, James Hayes FIC, John O’Neill OH, Sean Sellors fsc
Apologies: Brothers George Gordon CCB, John Martin OH; Michael Newman OH

We began with a time of prayer.

A Report of Recent and Planned Activities

1 . Meeting with Fr Paul Embury, Director of National Office of Vocations. A good meeting, looking to collaboration. Some problems of contact via CoR with impact on statistics and appropriate contact for enquirers. Happy to link websites of Brothers with NoV. Discussion on Website. Would be useful to have a central Brothers site, professionally done but it is better value for money than adverts or “amateur productions” (see Secular Institutes website: Religious Vocations DVD), common search tag on-line “about becoming a priest, brother etc.”. He was supportive of our idea of Brothers speaking on vocations on Vocations Sunday – important witness. He encouraged us to bring ourselves and our associates to the National Vocations Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Michael Newman will be leading the Holy Hour. He is looking for information about Catholic gap year opportunities – could people please contact him – for inclusion of service opportunities on NoV website. Advanced information about National Vocations Forum – probably at Oscott 21st June topic “ New Movements and Vocations”.

2 Vocations Sunday. Discussion about Brothers inviting themselves to preach in parishes 3rd Sunday of Easter 22nd April. The meeting agreed to print at least 10,000 double sided printed credit card size cards for distribution on that Sunday (cost minimal which was felt that congregations would be happy to contribute to) and to provide a guide for Brothers for speaking about Vocation on that day. Please indicate to Bro Benedict It was suggested that Brothers might contact their own local radio stations to publicise what they are undertaking. It was agreed to contact the National Catholic press on the same topic and it was suggested that Brothers contact their own diocesan newspapers with a news item about this happening.

3 National Vocations Pilgrimage to Walsingham – we encourage Brothers and their associates to attend (12 – till 4.30 approx – no need to book but we would appreciate some indication to Bro Benedict (contact details at the end of this report.)

4 Study Session London Colney May 29th to 31st 2007. “The Church in 2027 and its implications for religious life” at the moment there has not been many Brothers who have signed up for this session. We hope that Brothers will quickly sign up for this interesting look towards the future of Religious Life as time moves more quickly than we expect. If flyers and further info are required please contact Bro Benedict (Details at end.) This flyer is also being circulated by CoR.

5. Retreat for Religious Brothers at Worth 4th to 11th August 2007, “The Prophetic Role of Religious Today and Tomorrow.” Bro Philip Pinto, Superior General of the Christian Brothers has confirmed his leadership of this retreat with Sr Raimunda Jordan OP also being involved and with Abbot Christopher Jamison of Worth agreeing to act as chaplain. To date only 7 Brothers have signed up for this Retreat – in reality we are looking for at least 30 brothers to be involved. This retreat is going to be circulated this month amongst CoR male members, CORI, ARBI and CRS so Brothers from GB, who are the intended primary beneficiaries, need to book soon.

6 Brothers are reminded of the Fraternal gatherings planned for 27th -28th Oct at London Colney and November 3rd – 4th at Hinsley Hall Leeds. A few Brothers have already indicated their willingness to be involved in these.

B Planning for the Future

1 A Brothers Communities UK Website. We looked at a number of examples of Website for Vocations (NoV; Compass; Tyburn; Parkminster; Secular Institutes, etc). In the light of the discussions with Fr Paul Embury reported above, it was agreed that the steering group should draw up a short list of possible creators of a common Brothers’ website, with costings, design suggestions, guidelines, etc. It was suggested that we contact Ronnie McEwan FMS, as a Brother, to advise on this project. It was agreed that the steering group should make a proposal to Provincials when this preliminary work is achieved.

2 Meetings between Brothers Communities It was felt that this is an exercise which would be encouraging for the Brothers – that Brothers in a local area meet together to discuss their joint appreciation of their vocation, vocations promotions within a prayerful and social gathering. Brothers are asked to take the initiative and invite themselves to each others’ communities our own experience if that these are very positive and encouraging events. It was suggested that a good starting point for a first meeting might be to meet and discuss arrangements for Vocations Sunday.

3 Bro James shared that he has been asked to speak at and be involved in one of the Compass programme sessions at Worth Abbey about Brotherhood. This is a programme run by Worth for young men and women who are seriously considering Priesthood and the Religious Life. He is happy to share the perspectives of any Brothers if you wish to contact him on bro_james@blueyonder.co.uk .

4 It was agreed that the next meeting of the Provincials and Vocations Directors should evaluate the programme which has been planned.

In the light of the disappointing attendance at the meeting could I ask everyone who receives this report to please acknowledge its receipt, so that we can check whether we are having a communications problem or not. Could you at the same time please indicate to whom this report is being circulated and shared with by yourself. We are quite happy to send it to individual communities and Brothers if there are distribution difficulties. Thank you for your cooperation.

Contact details
for Bro Benedict Foy fsc.
Telephone 07968 529 559
E-mail: benpfoy@aol.com
Address: 26 Half Moon Lane, LONDON SE24 9HU

Personal testimony by Bro. Ben Foy sfc

“Spoiled by God”




This is how I would sum up my life as a De La Salle Religious Brother. I am a member of an order, started by Saint John Baptist de La Salle in France in 1681, who is now the Patron Saint of Teachers. I am vowed to live in community, to pray together, to be of service as brothers in an educational environment.

I am 58 years young and have followed this inspiration as brother and educator for over 40 years. Having attended a Brothers’school in St Helens, Merseyside, I was attracted by the brothers prayerfulness, happiness and enjoyment being with young people. Through prayer and discussion, I came to believe, that God was inviting me to share their lives.

After a period of training, during which time I changed my name to Benedict (from Paul), I made vows – public promises to God – that I would live as a brother. Since then I have tried conscientiously, to live as a brother of Jesus; as a brother to the men I live in community with; as a brother to the men and women I work with in the world of education; and as an older brother to the young people it has been my privilege to live and work with. I have worked as a teacher, rugby and football referee, retreat giver, counselling psychologist, chaplain, but as a brother my main purpose in life is to stand alongside people on behalf of Jesus.

The vows I have freely made, of poverty, chastity, obedience, educational service to the poor and stability, have never been a burden for me. Through them I feel that I have been freed to be there for people, on behalf of God, as their brother (rather than as husband or dad!), wherever and however that may be needed. I have been privileged to live and work with young people and teachers in many places in Britain, Europe and the US, from delinquents to university students, of many abilities, nationalities and faiths. Through them I have learned to encounter, recognise and know deeply that I am blessed by God. I am privileged also, to serve mostly young people as their brother, in many different ways – but always for the same reasons – to help them to know God’s love; to help them achieve God’s will that “they might have life to the full”, and through them help to make our world a better place. What more could I wish for?

Why do I remain a brother? Yes, there have been difficulties, yes sometimes it is tough living in community, and yes the world of education can be difficult place to have responsibility – but isn’t this the general experience of life through which we all grow? I have learned that we grow more (in courage, compassion, faith, patience etc,) through facing the difficulties rather than looking for the easy life!

Some years ago a particular passage from the Bible struck home for me: “You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced!” (Jeremiah 20:7 – Jerusalem Bible version). Over the years this passage has turned into the present tense – “you are seducing me and I am letting myself be seduced,” because this is what is happening to me, this is what God is doing in my life! I am enriched by thousands of younger brothers and sisters, who share with me their efforts to live authentically, to achieve their best. I am blessed by the opportunities, support and experiences that my community and colleagues give me. But above all, my constant experience of God, in prayer and in life, affirms me as a valued, loved and gifted person. I consider it then, simply to be my privilege to respond, as brother, to God, to Jesus, my brother!

Technorati Tags: brother, religious life, vocation

Steering Group Meeting 10.08.06

Religious Brothers UK

Report of Steering Group Meeting
St John’s House, St Helens
10.08.06

Present: Brothers Benedict Foy, James Hayes and Michael Newman
The meeting started with a time of prayer.

Gatherings: The following sessions were agreed.

On-going Formation Session, 29th-31st May 2007 All Saints, London Colney “The Church in 2027” for approx 20 participants

A team from the following are to be invited to offer input
Dairmud O Murchu, James Hanvey, Tony Carroll, Pia Buxton, Gemma Simmons, Helen Costgan

Retreat for Brothers 3rd -11th August 2007 at Worth Abbey “ The Prophetic Role of Religious Today and Tomorrow.” for approx 50 participants

Bro Philip (Superior General of Christian Brothers) has been invited to lead – will know in September his availability. Abbot Christopher has been most welcoming. He is to be asked to act as chaplain with a series of relevant homilies. A Sister will also be invited from some of the following Helena? (Kinoull), Magdalen Lawlor, Helen Carroll OP. We are happy to accept Fr Christopher’s offers of hospitality and will work out the details as part of the details of the practical planning, particularly joining the community of Worth on 6th August (Transfiguration).

3 Southern Gathering 27th – 28th October 2007 at All Saints London Colney, for approx 10-15 participants

4 Northern Gathering 3rd – 4th November 2007 at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, for approx 10 – 15 participants

5 Meeting of Provincial Leaders and Vocation Directors at St Vincents, Carlisle Place, London, 6th February 2007 focus on Vocation Promotion and Collaboration; update on Brothers links.

6 National Vocations Pilgrimage to Walsingham 16th June 2007

It was agreed to arrange an advanced flyer for wide circulation about these meetings for September and more specific fliers for the formation and Retreat sessions to be available in January. Benedict undertook to draft these and run them past Michael ASAP. Benedict will confirm these details with the various locations.