REFLECTIONS ON NAIROBI, # 2

“The Way to the Future” gathering in Karen, a prosperous suburb of Nairobi, was an opportunity, for me, to face the future!  As I reflect on the experience, several insights are relevant for me.  

View of the Little Sisters of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Karen, Kenya

The 2008 Congregation Chapter in Munnar, India encouraged the Brothers “to engage with people at the margins.”  Often that has been a hoped for by-product of what I did in administration in schools, in diocesan or in national offices.  As I look back, there is one thing I realize quite clearly—I was replaced by very good people in all those roles and many exceeded my best efforts, both in administration and concern for the marginalized. 

As one paper noted, “The Christian Brothers have been dedicated to helping people free themselves from poverty via the escape route of education.”  It goes on: “But as time has gone by, the general provision of education has increasingly been embraced by society at large.”    I can remember moving from school to school using terminology like: “We took over the school,” but I recall it with some embarrassment.  I believe we tried to be collaborative and inclusive, but sometimes I fear it was more like: “Here is our solution—what is your problem?”  That time is gone, that way of operating no longer sustainable. 

Our large meeting space at the retreat house.  Can you find me?

  Sustainability is an issue we cannot ignore.  In the developed world, our primary task is to ensure the continuance, as best we can, of the ethos of Catholic education. I have always been involved with schools.  These days, as a coach with the School Leadership Center of New Orleans program called “Discovery Walks,” I work with six principals on school improvement.   I believe we have much to offer our successors in the field of Catholic education from our experiences, but the time for handing over is past—now we are called to be fraternal supports to those who have the responsibility for the educational institutions we enjoyed for so many years.  Then we can use whatever continuing good will we have to support and encourage their involvement with people at the margins.  

New membership in the developed world will serve our mission to those on the margins if they are in touch with their gifts, the charism of Edmund, with the needs of the people we are called to serve, and if they are supported in whatever they choose to do by lively and life-giving communities.  Some will be educators, but that is no more a requirement for acceptance or membership.  And they will collaboratively discern where they can best serve with the congregation and the people who are calling for them. 

Chris Meehl, [Australia], Jenni Barrett, [Ireland], Joash Sigu, [Kenya], self, StephenChewe, [Zambia]

The experience in Karen with our African brothers echoed what happened here in New Orleans.  We explored the needs that arose from our conversations with people here.  After listening and some experimentation, Joe Fragala settled into Café Reconcile, serving the most marginalized youth in society—and those who sought to help them—with his experience in guidance, and at Karibu in Kenya.    Charles Avendano supports and gives life to Lantern Light with the Presentation Sisters, serving their homeless “guests.”  And Bob Koppes does the financials, and works with the rebuilding efforts of Operation Helping Hands to serve the poor homeless get back into houses.   Even my work with the Office of Catholic Schools and the School Leadership Center are responses to their requests.  Then the community mission continues to be to volunteers and being ‘brother’ to many in New Orleans.  Unburdened of an institutional commitment, we are free and always seeking ways to serve.