It’s my privilege to call all the Christian Brothers and my peers, that I’ve met through my involvement in Edmund Rice projects, my friends. To them I say …. Thank you for teaching me and challenging me.
My journey in understanding the work of Blessed Edmund Rice came by chance when I was asked to come along, with a friend, to a training day for Edmund Rice camp Leaders in Emmaus, Swords Co. Dublin. On reflecting on my journey since then I thought a lot about the work of Blessed Edmund Rice . Through my work with the Edmund Rice Camps (ERC) my passion grew to work with young people at risk. My experiences to date have shaped who I am and given me the inspiration in the work Edmund Rice carried out. My journey included various opportunities within the Edmund Rice Network including, an Immersion to Zambia , World Youth Day in Toronto, and not forgetting the wonderful trip to Belarus that was life changing. There I worked with abandoned children who were handicapped because of the Chernobyl disaster.
- I ask myself, why am I working for the marginalised with another organisation and not for Edmund Rice? I realise that it doesn’t matter what , how, or where I work but if I work and live in the spirit of Edmund Rice that is the important thing.
- I was recently advised to step back and let others shine in their journey and now I understand the joy of watching others realise their potential. I can be more effective this way and still continue to contribute. It’s my privilege to call the Christian Brothers and my peers, that I’ve met through my involvement in Edmund Rice, my friends. To them I say “Thank you for teaching me and challenging me”.
- My thanks to David Ryan , Liam O’Meara (Belarus) and Seany Beckett but not forgetting the many others I met on my journey. Some of my best friends are those I met through Edmund Rice projects . Many thanks and God bless . “One thing you may be sure of that while you work for god, whether you succeed or not he you will amply reward you”
NOTE:
Eimear Boland currently works for Vincent de Paul in Perth, Australia. Before leaving Ireland she had been an active member of the Edmund Rice Camp Leadership group in Dublin for a number of years.
Timirí 