Conjoint Meetings

between

IHCPT Board of Trustees and HCPT Board of Trustees

Every two years the boards of IHCPT and HCPT meet to consider matters of mutual interest. IHCPT was established in 1971 and registered in Ireland as a charity. It has continued to maintain its links with HCPT and has worked with them to nurture and develop the organisation in Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, The West Indies and the United States of America. The conjoint meetings between the two boards have taken place in Wales, England, Ireland and in Lourdes. International developments, the changing nature of Lourdes, organisational issues have been some of the issues discussed by the two boards. Patrick Coyle, Chairperson HCPT and a member of the Board of IHCPT writes about the last conjoint meeting that took place in Lourdes in November 2004:

The conjoint meeting of the boards of IHCPT and HCPT is an opportunity to discuss matters of common interest, to reflect and pray together and enjoy each other’s company. The meeting is an important sign of the spirit of collaboration between our two organisations. It was decided to hold the meeting due in 2004 in Hosanna House on 26th to 28th November so that it would coincide with the First International Meeting of Hospitalities. Richard King, the HCPT Pilgrimage Director, had been invited to speak at this. Richard was able to address this meeting in French and referred to both our organisations. We also were given space to mount an exhibition of the work of the Trusts. Our relationship with the Lourdes Hospitalité has been very good in recent years and this event enhanced that relationship.

The business section of our conjoint meeting considered international expansion and the future of renewal activity for group leaders and young carers both of which will continue in the future.

A particular issue that the business meeting looked at was the probable changes in the school terms in England and Wales that may mean that not all schools will have a holiday during Easter week every year from 2006. It is likely that there may be considerable variation and it may be necessary to have two pilgrimages although the bigger of the two is always likely to be Easter week.
Outside of the business meeting there was a spiritual reflection from Bishop John Rawsthorne, President of HCPT, and an exercise was led by Fr Perry Gildea to put together the material to produce an IHCPT/HCPT Charter in time for HCPT’s golden jubilee year 2006.

A blessing of the new Bartres Villa was carried out by Bishop John and there was time for reflection at the grotto. The next meeting will be in Ireland in 2006.

Boards of IHCPT and HCPT outside Kilcuan
at the end of the 2002 conjoint meeting.

Patrick Coyle, Bishop Dermot O'Mahony and Desmond Keane
outside Kilcuan.

Bishop John Rawsthorne and Fr Perry Gildea
at the blessing of the new house in Bartres in 2004.

Sunset over Hosanna House

Rev Richard Scriven (Chairperson IHCPT) Ciaran Cannon (CEO, IHCPT) Dr Michael McGloin (Member of the Board of HCPT), Patrick Coyle (Chairperson HCPT) and Pat Jordan (Manager Kilcuan) outside the Bartres Villa. November 2004.

Governors and Trustees at the blessing of the house in Bartres during the Conjoint Meeting in Hosanna House, November 2004.