DE
ALGEMENE OVERSTE

Coming back to college after nearly five years absence has been something of a deja- vu experience. Once or twice I even caught myself walking up towards my old room on A Wing! Everyone has been very welcoming.

Our first week together allowed the outgoing members of the GC to brief us on current issues in the context of past experience. Their dedication, efficiency and energetic application are all apparent. The weight of responsibility being passed on to us has been considerably lightened by the wisdom accompanying it. We all wish Jac, Bernard and Jakob a good long rest with fruitful reflection, that they may be refreshed for future challenges.

Following this, Brendan, Jos, Michael and I then continued with our own meetings which included a day of team process. We have vowed to work together as a team and I believe we have begun well and are fully aware of the ongoing challenges this presents. Openness to each other will prove to be a key instrument.

My first trip was to attend the Jubilee celebrations in Vrijland on 15th August. From the moment I set foot in the grounds of our magnificent Mill Hill complex I was showered with warm words of welcome and encouragement. It was a happy reunion with many from the past and a grateful reminder of those who have heavily influenced my formation and development.

The Jubilee Eucharist was a true celebration of work well done and mission accomplished. Looking across at the sea of Mill Hill faces, I marvelled at the depth and breadth of experience, knowledge and wisdom made holy in that sacred space.

I came away from Vrijland knowing that our senior members are indeed given the best possible care at all levels of their lives, which is, after all, their just desert. It is also clear that those doing the caring are greatly enriched by their presence.

A quick visit to Sjaak de Boer in the Hague included a fascinating guided bicycle tour around its ancient quarters late at night. His enthusiastic ministry of raising justice-awareness among the movers and shakers of the diplomatic community is clearly bearing fruit in the many functions and festivals on his parish agenda. Fundraising for the parish development projects abroad would be the envy of many a mission.
Now that I am back in Mill Hill, it is time to take up duties of administration and address the issues and directives of he chapter.

One of the most difficult and painful tasks facing us is our departure from St. Joseph’s College. We have formed a Sale Committee which will deal with all the processes of marketing and selling. I will chair this committee of Jos Boerkamp, Mark Connolly and Aidan Hart who is our professional property consultant. He will ensure that we will strike the best deal in selling the property with as little land as may be necessary to achieve the best possible price.

St. Joseph’s College belongs to us all. To some of us it may be but a distant memory, to others a real home, both current and in the past. Whatever our feelings around the college, it does constitute a core element in our society’s history and identity. As such we will endeavour to keep everyone well informed of developments, especially through this newsletter.

The General Council and British Regional Council, in full consultation with those living in St. Joseph’s, will be jointly responsible for the movements of our members and associates away from the college.

We have formed the Transition Committee consisting of Jos (chairman), Mark Connolly, Ruth Purcell, John Smith and me.
Its brief it is to co-ordinate the disposal, relocation, and distribution of the contents of the college. Special arrangements will be made regarding the archives, library and Milcom. This will all require careful negotiation and sensitive decision-making. We invite you contact this committee with any requests, suggestions and ideas regarding this task.

At the end of this month, I will be returning to South Africa to complete my handover and bid farewell to the people there. At the end of October, Michael and I are planning to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo in this their Centenary Year. This will be followed by a month of General Council Meetings in November.

I would like to end by thanking all of you for your various messages of congratulations and support, written, by word of mouth and by hidden intention. They are all very much appreciated.

Please continue to pray for us that we, as a General Council team may take up our responsibilities with hope and enthusiasm, in the spirit of the Chapter. Lord, show us the way.

All good wishes,
Tony