MSC Irish Provincial Chapter 2023 Concludes

May 9, 2023

The first ever Open Chapter of the MSC Irish Province concluded on Saturday afternoon, 6^th May 2023.

Participants of the MSC Irish Province Provincial Chapter 2023

On Wednesday 3^rd May, the members of the Chapter had worked on themes that had emerged from their conversations and self-selecting groups continued working on each of the these. Towards the end of the Chapter each group presented a guidepost for the Province and work will continue on these in the coming years for the good of the Province.  Some of the main themes discussed were, laity, environment, healing past hurts, mapping the future for Venezuela and Southern Africa and the Missions as a whole.

On Thursday 4^th May the first session was dedicated to conversation and sharing on the qualities and characteristics required for the role of Provincial Councillor.  Following a time of silent prayer in the Chapter, voting for two Provincial Council members commenced in the conference room. The voting was overseen by our Superior General, Fr Absalón Alvarado MSC and the Scrutineers (Fr Alan Neville MSC, Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC and Fr Giacomo Gelardi MSC).

Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC were elected and both accepted their election. We extend our heartiest congratulations to  Fr Dave and  Fr Manus and we wish them well in their role as Provincial Councillors.  Fr Joe McGee MSC (Provincial-elect) will work alongside  Fr David and Fr Manus to think, reflect and pray before inviting two more members to be part of the Leadership Team.

The day continued with work on the recommendations from the Statutes Commission to changes to our Provincial Statues and input from our MSC Safeguarding Manager, Ms Mary Tallon. During supper we had a celebration cake for those celebrating their birthday during the Chapter (Fr Seamus Kelly MSC, Fr Jonas Mokoena MSC, Fr Joe McGee MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC), for Fr Jimmy Mitchell MSC and Fr Michael Screene MSC who celebrated their 60^th Jubilee of Ordination in February, and for Fr Giacomo Gelardi MSC and Fr Jaime Rosique MSC (Spanish Province) who were recently Ordained. Congratulations to all. 

On Friday 5^th May the Statutes Commission continued presenting proposed changes to the Statutes during the first session. Provincial, Fr Carl Tranter MSC, gave an update on new formation project being set up in Kenya and a possible new mission with the Indian Union for Ireland/UK. The Chapter indicated their desire to encourage the incoming Provincial Leader Team to explore this option with the Indian Union. Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, Provincial Bursar, and Mrs Mary Kelly, Finance Manager, presented a Finance Report to the Chapter and following the recommendation from our MSC Finance Advisory Group some properties in the Province were designated as Stable Patrimony of the Province. 

The final session of the day was dedicated to electing two Delegates to attend the General Chapter –  Fr Julius Katjipa MSC and Fr Carl Tranter MSC were elected as Delegates. The General Chapter will take place in Rome in September/October. Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC were elected as Substitute Delegates. 

The final day, Saturday 6^th May, involved table conversation on the following question: As you return to your particular Jerusalem, what are you taking back with you from the experience of walking together this past week? This was followed by a time of sharing. 

The Steering Committee presented a Chapter Statement which was read, discussed and agreed. This statement captured all the work of the week. The minutes of the Chapter up to Friday morning were approved. It was agreed that the Provincial Council will finalise the minutes. 

Handover to the new Provincial

Fr Carl Tranter MSC, Provincial, proposed to the Chapter that Fr Joe McGee MSC take over as Provincial on 1^st August 2023. Fr Carl will finish his term as Provincial on 31^st July. This was approved unanimously.    

The work of the Chapter concluded with final words from Fr Carl. He said it has been a historic week as we had our first ever Open Chapter. It had gathered nearly half of the Province together in conversation and sharing. He is deeply thankful for the sense of brotherhood in their time together which has been strengthened. We have been accompanied by the Emmaus scripture. It has given us anchor points to hold, contain us and invite us to move forward and the Lord will be with us on our journey.  He added that we have seen ourselves walking and talking honestly about all that has been happening in our personal lives, community life and the life of the Province and there have been beautiful and honest conversations throughout the Chapter week. We have experienced Christ joining us and sharing with us. We have encountered him in one another, in meeting some confreres for the first time, in our prayer, worship, sharing and struggles. He expressed his gratitude to Fr Absalón, Superior General, for his accompaniment during the Chapter week. As we come to the end of the Chapter we are ready for the Return to Jerusalem. We return to our place and hopefully discover something new about it. Return with the fruits of our journey and the desire to continue conversations, to engage deeply and live our MSC commitment and brotherhood more fully. It has been a rich week. Please God we return changed and wishing to grow. 

Fr Carl concluded by thanking everyone for their deeply engaged presence this week and he expressed his thanks to all those involved in preparing for the Chapter and those working during the Chapter week: The Chapter Preparatory Commission, Finance Team, Safeguarding Manager, Fr Alan Whelan (Archivist), the Sound Engineers, Steering Committee, Scrutineers, Translator,  Secretary to the Chapter (Paula Ryan-Kavanagh) for organising the logistics and being part of the preparatory commission. The Facilitator (Frances Heery) was thanked for walking with us and guiding us.  Fr Carl again expressed his thanks to Fr Absalón for being with us during the Chapter week. It had been a wonderful way to accompany us, listening really deeply to who and how we are, our struggles etc. Fr Carl presented Fr Absalón with a token of appreciation. Fr Absalón replied by thanking everyone for the opportunity to be with them for the week.  

Fr Joe McGee (Provincial-elect) then addressed the Chapter and he thanked Fr Carl on behalf of everyone for his work during the last six years. He thanked him for coming back among us and for his leadership. Fr Joe also thanked the members of Fr Carl’s team individually for all the work they have done for the Province for the last six years (Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Fr Tony Nolan MSC, Fr Manus Ferry MSC and he especially remembered Fr Mike Serrage MSC RIP).

The Chapter concluded with Eucharist led by Fr Joe McGee MSC, Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC (members of the incoming Provincial Leadership Team).  

Fr Absalón MSC presented Fr Carl Tranter MSC, Fr Joe McGee MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC with symbols from India representing hope for the mission ahead. 

Fr Carl Tranter MSC as President of the Chapter then blows out the Chapter Candle to conclude the Chapter week.

“Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road”

Luke 24:32