Heart of Life Centre: Directors – Farewell and Welcome

Heart of Life staff gathered to begin the semester but also for a ritual acceptance of Director, Clare Shearman’s resignation after two and a half years and welcome to interim Director, Alison McKenzie.

Stephen Hackett paid tribute to Clare, presenting her with an MSC medal in recognition of her achievement as Director.

Stephen welcomed Alison. He also spoke to the staff about the report from the Provincial Council about Heart of Life and hopes for the future. He noted that the property bought by the province with its bush setting in Croydon and praised the renovations; it is the most attractive location the Centre has had.

Stephen also presented Heart of Life with a commissioned Icon gift. It is an icon of the Visitation, symbolic of the spirituality of Heart of Life, the Visitation, Elizabeth’s accompaniment of Mary, in her unexpected pregnancy enabling Mary to appreciate more fully God’s action in her.

From 10.00 to 4.00, the staff presented the courses, the group work, supervision and tutorials of the principal courses, Siloam, Damascus Spiritual Leaders and the Emmaus Supervision course.

Alison was present the whole day and found that it provided her with a lived impression of how Heart of Life functions. Alison spoke of her years at Downlands, Chevalier, work with the Vietnamese, The Chevalier Institute and as General Secretary of the Laity of the Chevalier Family, the MSC Heart Spirituality and charism that she brings to Heart of Life.

A farewell dinner ended the day at the Thai Green Leaf restaurant in Croydon.

And now, students and staff, to work for the second semester.