FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Conversations in the Spirit
FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
June 12th 2024
Today was spent in making final adjustments to the Statements, Mandates and Recommendations which will become the Acts of GA 2024. This includes a report from the CLMs on the decisions of their recent International Meeting and how these can be integrated with the draft Acts. Groups were asked to pick 5 scripture passages which best ‘captured’ their feelings at this point of the Assembly, and of these the following was chosen as our “Fruits of the Spirit” for today.
“Come to me,
take my yoke upon you,
learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart”.
Matthew 11: 28-30
June 10th 2024
Today’s task was that of beginning to construct a Strategic Pathway (with 7 “Bridges”) to put structure and accountability into the two Mission Priorities identified last week. Here is a summary of the “energy” at day’s end, as composed by one of the small groups:
A heavy going and confusing day with the sun finally coming out in the afternoon. The question remains “Can we really do radical transformation?”
June 4th 2024
Today was an intense day of putting improved structure, timelines and monitoring mechanisms to the 7 “Bridges” whose first drafts were completed yesterday. One group described the energy at day’s end as follows:
“Tough and hard talking… happy at least we are touching deep issues… we need to talk more..”
June 3rd 2024
Today’s task was that of beginning to construct a Strategic Pathway (with 7 “Bridges”) to put structure and accountability into the two Mission Priorities identified last week. Here is a summary of the “energy” at day’s end, as composed by one of the small groups:
A heavy going and confusing day with the sun finally coming out in the afternoon. The question remains “Can we really do radical transformation?”
May 31st 2024
Today was a day of refining the initial 'Vision Statement' of last night, then crafting - first hypothetical, then real - 'Radical New Ideas' for ministries and structures going forward. The following is a summary of the "energy" of the group as we finish up today:
The past is still preventing us from moving forward enthusiastically together and in a radical way that would enable us to name ‘the what’, ‘the where’, ‘the who’ and ‘the how’ of the next chapter of Columban mission.
May 29th 2024
Today’s context was one of a day of intentional “Presencing” to oneself, each other, the Society and the world. The group had extended moments of reading, listening, imaging, and prayer. At the end, each Star group shared an image, which, put together, the group described as:
“Pulling the responsibility of the Society together, but we’re going round in a circle and as we go, we’re singing high, low, in tune and out of tune….”
May 27th 2024
The context for today’s “Fruits of the Spirit” is that of a long, and quite heavy day, during which the Assembly listened to the Central JPIC/IRD Report as well as that on the Society’s Finances presented by the Bursar General.
At this moment, we are feeling rather anxious, frustrated and confused in the face of the multiple challenges and burdens facing the Society. We acknowledge our historic hesitation and procrastination as a Society to fully answer the questions – ‘Where we are going?’ and ‘What we will do when we get there?’ We hope this time it will be different
May 24th 2024
Today, the 24th of May, the General Assembly (GA) participants used the Conversations in the Spirit process to reflect on and share their responses to the CLM Report and the CLM International Meeting.
Below are the Fruits of the Spirit for the day from the collective GA.
We recognize that to have a common focus as a Society is a difficult task, but the LMs have shown us the way by means of partnership. We also recognize that mission is focused on God’s mission and not on self-preservation.
May 23rd 2024
Today, the 23rd of May, the General Assembly (GA) participants used the Conversations in the Spirit process to reflect on and share their responses to the Society Leader’s Report for the GA, the RMU Leaders’ reports and the RMU Assembly/Convention reports.
Below are the Fruits of the Spirit for the day from the collective GA.
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We are excited and anxious about venturing into a new adventure.
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We feel lighter and content today that the process is working or moving forward in a good pace. We are happy that today is done, and it happened, and it feels good.
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Digging deeper gives us a sense of heaviness. Are we digging deeper to be unique or be part of the universal church?
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We are fairly happy that we are beginning to address/name the challenges but wondering if we have the courage to follow through.
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A roller coaster of emotions but finishing with hope.
What is a Conversation in the Spirit?
“Conversations in the Spirit” is also the approach taken by the Synodal Assembly in Rome, gathering over 450 participants from all continents to listen to one another and hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to them over the course of an entire month spent together in prayer, reflection, and sharing.
We can think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who went along their way speaking with one another. Jesus came to join them, asking them what they were talking about. Later that night, once they realized that it was Jesus who was walking with them on the way, they realized that their hearts were burning as He spoke to them on the road. Conversations in the Spirit make our hearts burn and make us want to share the fire of the Holy Spirit with all our brothers and sisters!
Having conversations in the Spirit opens up a space for us, a spiritual atmosphere to breathe in deeply, where true discernment can unfold so that we can move forward together.
Come Holy Spirit, come inhabit our conversations.
Come be on our lips, in our minds, and in our hearts.
Lead us into harmony with each other and open us to Your wisdom
as we encounter You in our exchanges with one another.
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Text from: https://slmedia.org/blog/what-are-conversations-in-the-spirit-a-fruitful-method-for-a-synodal-church
What Pope Francis says about Conversations in the Spirit.
"Conversation in the Spirit, discernment and synodality consist, above all, in listening. The synodal path undertaken by the Church is a path of in-depth listening. The attitude you suggest, of "open and vulnerable listening", is fundamental and very necessary, in fact it allows the Spirit to move us and make us change, to make us choose and to lead us to concrete decisions."
"If everyone remains locked in the positions they had previously adopted, there will be no true conversation, nor true listening to the Spirit. He/she will not find anything that he/she can learn or assimilate from others and will be afraid of any decision that involves changes. In fact, it is only when we truly listen to each other that we emerge enriched and deepen our communion and mission." Pope Francis
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Conversations in the Spirit at the General Assembly -
The Fruits of the Spirit
On most days during the General Assembly participants will participate in “Conversations in the Spirit”. These conversations allow participants to connect deeply with the Spirit, the material of the General Assembly and each other. General Assembly participants will discuss many topics in their Conversations in the Spirit, listening deeply, discerning, praying and listening to the movement spirit. At the end of each day, participants will summarise and synthesise their learnings into a united statement which we are calling “Fruits of the Spirit”.
In the spirit of synodality, you will be able to read each of the Fruits of the Spirit statements on this page throughout the General Assembly. These statements are not about details of any conversations, but an indication of how participants are experiencing the Spirit moving among the group at the General Assembly. It is important to the GA participants that the whole Columban Society walk together in unity through these daily updates. We ask that you read these statements with your heart and a spirit of synodality, trust and hope and ask that you keep the participants of the General Assembly in your prayers as we hold you in ours.
