Oblate Youth Service News

Irish Regional Committee Meeting, December 2015

The Irish Regional Committee met on 9th December, 2015 in the House of Retreat, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin.

Present:
Leo Philomin, Amy Kiernan, Brian O’Hehir, Dave O’Donnell, Padraig Corcoran, Enda Henehan, Dee O’Flaherty, Ger O’Halloran, Caoimhe Carroll

Apologies:
Andrew Brady, Shane Howley

Irish Regional Committee Business

Oblate Irish Regional Meeting October 2015The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and an update on Oblate Youth Service activities since the last Irish Regional Committee meeting in October.

David O' Donnell provided an update on the process of bringing new Oblate Youth Service members onto the Irish Regional Committee as well as an update from the recent Provincial Steering Committee meeting.

Lourdes Update

The Lourdes committee will be looking to bring on a number of additional Oblate Youth Service members to assist with the planning process of the Lourdes 2016 trip.

World Youth Day Update

Padraig Corcoran provided an update on the plans for the Oblate Youth Service traveling to World Youth Day in Summer 2016. The Oblate Youth Service will be in Poland from 20th July to 3rd August to participate in the World Youth Day celebrations in Kraków.

African Projects Update

Padraig Corcoran reported that places on the 2016 Zimbabwe Experience are almost full. Going forward the Zimbabwe organizing team will preference those who are looking to go on the trip for the first time over those who have been a number of times previously.

Local Projects & Faith Development Update

Enda Henehan, Dee O' Flaherty and Amy Kiernan are to work alongside Padraig Corcoran in organizing the 2016 Faith Friends project. The confirmed dates for the Faith Friends project in Inchicore are 7th, 14th and 21st April. Padraig Corcoran also confirmed the dates for the Faith Friends project in St. Michael's Parish which will take place on 18th February, 25th February and 1st March. Five or six Oblate Youth Service members will be required for each date of the Faith Friends project.

Padraig Corcoran and Caoimhe Carroll outlined plans to hold a reflection day for members of the Obalte Youth Service who are in leadership roles in Lourdes and for those who are involved in the organization of Oblate Youth Service activities. A provisional date of January 16th was set for this event. Padraig Corcoran discussed the idea of an overnight trip to Glenalough as an option for this.

Oblate Youth Service Reunion

The Irish Regional Committee confirmed that the Oblate Youth Service reunion will take place on Saturday, 27th February. The provisional venue for the reunion is MaGowens of Phibsboro where we have held previous reunions in the past. Amy Kiernan and David O' Donnell are tasked with the organization of this event and further details will follow in the coming weeks.

Lourdes Guest Reunion Update

Brian O' Hehir confirmed the date of the 2016 Lourdes Guest Reunion which will take place on Saturday, 21st May in Inchicore. Brian is now looking into options for transportation of our guests with the Order of Malta and St. John of God. We don't expect to recieve confirmation of availability until January / February 2016.

Fundraising Ideas for 2016

The Irish Regional Committee proposes holding a bake sale on Sunday, 12th June outside masses in the parishes of Bluebell, Mary Immaculate in Inchicore and St. Michael's. This has been a very sucessful fundraiser for the Oblate Youth Service in the past. Caoimhe Carroll is heading up the organization of this event.

David O' Donnell is going to look into potential fundraising activities such as Run-A-Muck, which the Oblate Youth Youth service can engage with during the month of April. David will revert back to the committee with a number of ideas over the coming weeks.

Date for Next Meeting

Wednesday, 17th February 2015

The Author: David O' Donnell

OYS, Irish Regional Coordinator