A gathering of people closely associated with the Good Samaritan Sisters will be held in Sydney in October 2013.

This third Good Samaritan partnership gathering will bring together Good Samaritan oblates and associates, partners in mission and friends from around Australia and the Pacific to explore the theme “Living the Good Samaritan Benedictine Charism into the Future”.

“The gathering aims to provide an extended opportunity for all associated with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan to gather, to explore, and to deepen our experience of living our Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality and way of life into the future,” explained Sister Bernardina Sontrop, one of the organisers.

While speakers and presenters are yet to be finalised, Bernardina said the program will include a variety of experiences, including prayer and reflection, plenary sessions, small group workshops, as well as sharing at table and experiencing aspects of community life.

She also said the 2013 gathering will be “an ideal opportunity for formation in the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism for those former Good Samaritan schools that are endeavouring to keep the charism alive in their school”.

The inaugural partnership gathering was held in 1999 and was followed by another in 2010.

Ian Faulkner of Sydney said the 2010 gathering was “a unique experience with very inspiring and illuminating workshops”.

For Ian, who, along with wife, Pam, has been a Good Samaritan Oblate since 2005, the gathering was also a great opportunity to establish strong bonds with the larger group of oblates from different parts of Australia.

Ian and Pam both agree that their journey as oblates continues to be an enriching one. “The 2013 gathering will be another major milestone on our faith-filled Good Samaritan journey,” they said.

Anyone interested in experiencing the Good Samaritan Benedictine way of life is warmly invited to attend the gathering from October 4 to 7, 2013 at St Scholastica’s College, Glebe Point.