October 7th dawned bright and clear as sixty members of Religious Congregations set out to gather in the Tara Centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone for the CORI Northern Ireland Annual Conference.   This year it took the shape of an afternoon of reflection and sharing on the theme “The Dream of God in our World and our part in it.”

Some Sisters registering for the meeting

Deirdre Mullan rsm, led us through the current reality for most religious today with the emphasis on the message of hope, sharing her experience and background as she puts it herself:

‘a player and actor at the United Nations, trying to unpack what our God intends for our world and our part in it’.

She reminded us that we live in an era steeped in possibility.  As we view the happenings throughout the world today in Ireland, Africa, USA, the Middle East, there is always the challenge to see where we fit into the picture.  Sr. Deirdre led us through challenging questions and referring to various Founders and how they coped with adversity following the example of Jesus in the Gospels proposed that we continue to do the same in pursuit of the Reign of God in our time.

Acknowledging the insight and overview gained through the work at the United Nations she pointed out that many present were prophets in their own way doing what needs to be done – making a difference one person at a time.

CORI Northern Ireland Committee

Perry Gildea cm, Anna Hainey cp, Deirdre Mullan rsm, Rosaleen Murray cp Drector of CORI NI, Marianne O’Connor Director General of CORI, Dan Healy cfc, Chris Hegarty rsm

The gathering was left to ponder on some of the following questions:

“How has the spirit of our various founders influenced Global issues today?

And how does it help to bring about the Dream of God today?

How are we meeting some of these challenges today?

What is driving us forward?

Examples were quoted from across the globe of religious making a difference in projects great and small.  The secret of success in today’s scenario would seem to be the ability to network: ‘to extend hospitality, and share resources.’

Again a challenging question:

‘So why do what we do’.

We know we must act.  Experience allows us to concour with the teaching of the Apostle James…”Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead.”  James 2:17

As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning, a new way of living together – to be prophetic voices and really become a leaven for Good in a Hurting World.

The American poet and post trauma specialist Clarissa Estee reminds us that:

In any dark time, there is a tendency to veer toward fainting over how much is wrong or un-mended in the world.  Do not focus on that…

Your task is not to fix the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world within your reach.  Let us take one step at a time.  It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.  What is needed for dramatic change is the accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing.  We know that it does not take everyone on earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.

Sr. Deirdre encouraged us to overcome fear, to resolve to be courageous just like our founders. They advocated, demanded and realised change so in our turn history will note our contribution.

There followed group discussion and a plenary session.  The afternoon concluded with a prayer of Thanks and Blessing.  Truly it can be said all left with a lighter step and hope in the Heart.

Srs. Margaret Tracey and Mary Daly

Our thanks to Srs. Mary Daly and Maura Twohig and staff for the use of the excellent facilities and hospitality at the Tara Centre Omagh.

Please see Mercy E-News for the full content of Sr. Deirdre’s Presentation.  It is also available on request from CORI NI.

Veronica O’Brien rsm
Northern Province