Our current Salesian Cooperators' Council, formed last November, held a residential meeting over the weekend of 18th and 19th June as guests of the Salesian Sisters at Rotherhithe.

We were made most welcome by the sisters and the local cooperators provide us with a lovely lunch on the Saturday. On the Sunday we went to a Pizza Hut to celebrate Fathers' Day (Paul and his 'six children' - at least that's what we told the waiter!). The meeting went extremely well: we did a lot of work and were privileged to have with us Marie-Jose Kandel, from the World Council of Cooperators.

The Council hard at work

At the meeting we were informed that Conor Mahon, Coordinator in Bermondsey, had had to resign from Council due to pressure of work. Whilst thanking Conor for his contribution over the last few months, I am pleased to say that we now have a successor in Evelyn Scanlan from the Kendal Centre.

The Council after lunch

Since the meeting we have learned that Sister Agnes McGuinness is having to step down from her FMA Delegate role and we wait with interest the name of her successor. Sister Agnes has been a great worker on Council taking a particular interest in the formation programme for new Cooperators. She will be sorely missed and we wish her all the best in the new duties that await her.

The Cooperators' Retreat, just over two days this year, is being held at Brettargh Holt on 8th and 9th October. Fr Michael Cunningham SDB is leading it on the theme A New Way of Seeing: Finding God in the Ordinary. There are over 40 booked in already but there are still some places available either residential or otherwise. Booking forms can be obtained from June Sharrock, our Treasurer, on 0151 2265840.

Our next meeting is on 5th November in Chertsey.

Thanks to Paul Barnes, National Coordinator, for the report and photographs.