Tuesday August 12th of the 105th Annual National Convention started with mass by celebrant Archbishop Christian Lepine. His homily focused on mercy and how one can never say that they have loved enough, for there will always be more love to give. We are faithful because the Lord is merciful. A memorial for deceased members was held to honour the memory of members and spiritual advisors who have gone from this life to their eternal rest in Christ. A rose, a symbol of life in Christ was presented by each provincial president as a living memorial to these women. National President Shari Guinta placed a pure white rose in memory of the dearly departed spiritual advisors.
Speaker Brother Richard MacPhee provided a session titled “I Am Who I Am”. He shared we are called to be people of hope, healing, and love in this land full of wounds, as God’s love calls us to move beyond fear. “Compassion requires us to be vulnerable with the vulnerable”, he said as he advocated for a recovery based model of care. As Chief Executive Officer of Good Shepherd Centres and Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes in Hamilton and Toronto, he shared stories he witnessed of helping traumatized women find adequate shelter so they did not have to live on the streets, providing independant places for families to live so they felt safe, and “working with people from cradle to grave, or from breath to breath”.
National President Shari Guinta shared she was touched by the presentation as she is very passionate and involved in managing social housing. Donations were collected for Emily’s House hospice and the Brothers of the Good Shepard.
Convention attendees had the opportunity to join breakout sessions for in-depth learning and discussion.
The “Call Me Lord To Lead and Follow” breakout session began with the song “You Lead the Way” by AMBOSS and the reminder that Jesus is our navigator. Presenters stated that leadership is not about the love of power, it is about the power of love. A faith-fuelled leader is someone with humility as their strength, not their weakness. They are someone who leads by example through service. Discussions were made on how to encourage members to be set up for success, and to actively engage new members. They wanted members to be aware of the resources that are provided to them on the national website such as #621, #635, and #835. Leadership is not about standing alone, but about building a strong team and fostering a mindset of adaptability.
“Send Me Lord” was an engaging workshop that allowed attendees to have conversations about how their councils could plan mental health initiatives in the areas of faith, service and social justice. Faith through offering prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and sharing an attitude of gratitude. Service through social connections and community outreach opportunities. Social justice ideas such as through studying Resolution 2024.01 or developing resolutions. Great conversation at the tables led to a better understanding of how councils can and do address mental health and what other ideas they could embrace.
The “Lead Us Closer to You Lord” session began with asking those present to close their eyes, centre themselves and open their heart. Attendees listened the song “The Prayer,” by Aiman & Ina, before being led through the process of creating a prayer, using the YOU-WHO-DO-THROUGH pattern. This pattern was a simple structure for composing opening and closing prayers, blessings, and grace. Attendees had a chance to work in small groups, or alone, to prepare a prayer using the pattern. Time was set aside for sharing the created prayers with the group at large, and many members chose to share the beautiful, inspirational and hopeful prayers they created.
The evening concluded with provincial dinners.
Photos by Lisa Henry
