At a certain
point you say
to the woods, to the sea,
to the mountains,
the world,
Now I am ready.
Now I will stop and be wholly attentive.
You empty yourself and wait,
listening...
Annie Dillard
National Vocations Conference
Auckland September 27th - 31st 2006
The 2006 National Vocations Conference was
held 'for all those in the Church who work to
promote the response of people to God's call in their lives.'
Organised by the Auckland Diocesan Vocations Group, the Conference was
supported
by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops and the Congregational Leaders of
Aotearoa New Zealand.
Key Note Speakers included:
Professor Elaine Wainright rsm (Professor of Theology, University of
Auckland)
Father Neil Darragh (Catholic Institute of Theology)
The Powhiri (Maori welcome) was yet again a
most moving and unforgettable experience - a wonderful
beginning to an inspiring and challenging few days together.
The conference allowed time for participants to connect with
other like-minded people interested in working
together to spread the Gospel in our world today. There were opportunities for getting to
know each other and to recognise the
need for ongoing collaboration and conversation. It was wonderful having young
lay people in attendance to share their struggle to find their place in society
and in the Catholic
Church. This interaction helped the majority, the more advanced in years, to
grasp a deeper understanding of the struggle that young people face as members
of the Catholic Church.
This opportunity involved people in various
ministries; lay men and women young and not so young, religious sisters,
brothers, priests, Anglican Sisters... from many parts of NZ, the Pacific
Islands and Australia.
A big thank you to the organising committee and the Staff at Sacred Heart
College, Glendowie who worked around the clock to make
the conference such a successful event.
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