Read Fr Tim Mulroy's letter below or see the original here.
31 May 2023
Dear Members, Lay Missionaries, Seminarians & Co-workers,
After the recent celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, Ihope that you and all around you are experiencing a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Among the six recommendations that emerged from the IRMU Meeting in Seoul in March, two of them call for the facilitation of an external review by way of preparation for GA 2024.
To conduct a strategic, independent review of the Columban Society in the light of mission priorities (JIC/IRD, etc.) and to create a strategic plan of action based on the review.
To facilitate an independent review and assessment of the vocation programs based on internal and external data, trends, and other congregational plans with a view to creating a strategic plan based on the outcomes.
After Easter, GC & CLT made inquiries with various religious communities about who to entrust with these two reviews, and we were referred to several individuals and organizations by way of response. From that list, we chose four, from whom we sought more information, and then conducted interviews over zoom.
Recently, we made the decision to entrust both reviews to Dr. Carolyn Evans and her team in NSW, Australia. As a lay woman with a professional qualification in several disciplines, and an extensive background in the not-for-profit sector (including religious communities) as well as in the private and public sector, we believe Carolyn has the competencies to undertake these two independent reviews.
Carolyn understands the importance of both the quantitative and qualitative
dimension ofthe reviews. Moreover, she sees not only the overlap between the two reviews, but also grasps the connection between them and the other four recommendations that emerged from the IRMU Meeting.
Carolyn's task is limited to doing the two reviews. It is our expectation that she will provide the Society with a reality-check which will form the basis from which to attend to the second part of the two recommendations - the creation of a strategic
plan.
It is envisaged that the task of creating a strategic plan for the Society will be undertaken during the 2024 GA, while the task of creating a strategic plan for vocations will likely take place in conjunction with that or follow on from that. With this in mind, throughout the course of the reviews, Carolyn will communicate on a regular basis with Ms. Paula Sgherza, one of the facilitators of the 2024 GA.
GC & CLT envisage that the two reviews will be completed by 31 November 2023. This will allow sufficient time for the Society to reflect on the outcomes, since both the outcomes and reflections will form a significant part of the Society's preparation for the 2024 GA.
Therefore, it is GC's and CLT's hope that Columbans and co-workers across the world will generously assist Carolyn and her team with these two reviews.
Indeed, the outcome of the reviews will depend largely on your level of participation and engagement.
Fraternally,
Tim Mulroy
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