At Heathrow Airport on his way to Amsterdam General Superior, Fr Michael Corcoran, found time to post this message on Facebook: “Travelling to the Netherlands for ‘thank you’ to outgoing bursar, Theo Geurtsen, Regional Assembly, Jubilees and Regional Council. An action packed few days”.
And so It came to be.
It all started with a lovely gentle preamble on Tuesday evening in the balmy atmosphere of the inner court of St. Jozefhuis, Oosterbeek. A spirit of joyful camaraderie was in evidence as residents of St Jozefhuis reconnected with confreres not seen for some time.
Gentle background music and a tasty barbecue put everyone in the right mood to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to outgoing regional bursar and rector of Zilverheuvel (formerly Missiehuis Vrijland), Fr Theo Geurtsen.
Assembly
Nearly all members of the Dutch region resident in The Netherlands plus some confreres from our areas of missionary involvement in Africa and Asia answered the call to participate in this year’s regional gathering, today, Wednesday August 14th.
Our Regional, Ben Engelbertink, together with the regional assistant, Paulwillem Lommerde, had prepared a full day’s programme consisting of a variety of inputs and some synodal sharing.
The morning started with an overview of the current state of our Mill Hill Missionary Society worldwide presented in tandem by General Superior, Michael Corcoran, and General Councillor, Gerry Hastie.
Following the key topics that are the staple fare of every General Chapter they shared up to date info on developments in the areas of mission, governance, formation, care and finance. Areas of concern as well as reasons for optimism were highlighted.
Dutch Region
In the afternoon it was the turn of regional superior, Ben Engelbertink, and regional assistant, Paulwillem Lommerde, to turn the spotlight on the Dutch region.
In small groups we shared our ideas on the main topics presented by Ben and Paulwillem namely: a dispassionate look at the future of (the membership of) the Dutch Region – managing decline – and issues at the interface of the region and the wider Mill Hill society – the constitutional position of lay assistants, mission to The Netherlands, financial contributions, issues of formation.
Synodal sharing
More than an hour’s attentive listening and sharing – in the manner of the synodal process – formed the final piece of this attention-grabbing assembly of the Dutch Region of the Mill Hill Missionaries. The subject? Our personal experience of living in a secularised society.
Tomorrow, August 15th, on the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady we will celebrate our seven jubilarians: Wim van Gastel, Henri Peeters, Peter Nabben, Piet Koomen, Albert Jacobse, Alfons ter Beke and Frans Schouten.
Watch this space!
Fons Eppink
