Vocations Ireland Annual Conference 2023
Around 40 members of Vocations Ireland attended its Annual Conference in Gort Mhuire in Dublin on Saturday 25th November
Margaret Cartwright has prepared a review of the day.
The theme was Embracing our journey forward. We spent the day looking at our transition from the Vocations Ireland Charity to becoming a committee of AMRI which has offered us a new hope for the future as we work in synodality with AMRI. Our presenter for the day was Fr Cyril O Dia Salesian. Cyril was vibrant, encouraging & full of joy as he offered us insights into the needs of our young people today & how to engage with them. Cyril showed us what can be done if we work together, if we become more visible in our ministry. We have an opportunity to heed Pope Francis call to “Wake up the World” and to make room for the voices of young people to be heard: We can do this through listening to them so that we can make possible an exchange of gifts in a context of empathy.…At the same time, it sets the conditions for a preaching of the Gospel that can touch the heart truly, decisively, and fruitfully.
We were delighted to be able to be together and really get a sense of enthusiasm for Cyril and from each other.
A new Executive was formed to bring forward our vision and mission and hopefully assist us with encouraging the Irish church to take our young people seriously
A new Executive was appointed and welcomed. Fr Colm O Mahony OSA, Sr Carmel Ryan DC, Sr Mary Usifoh OLA, Ms Michelle Robertson Lay Rep, Sr Jean Bott Benedictine OSB, Sr Eileen O’Connell OP, Br Kevin Mascareuhas, FPM and Fr Cyril O’Dia SDB We thanked the outgoing members Sr Fionnuala Quinn OP, Br Rupert FPM. Sr Mary Healy
