The Good Samaritan Life website was launched on Good Samaritan Foundation Day on February 2 this year. The concept for this spirituality and formation website has emerged from the closure of the Mount St Benedict Centre, and has been a long and considered process involving thorough and detailed consultation and review at every stage of development.
The site is a work in progress and currently offers a series of formation modules, a calendar of upcoming events, prayers, resources and a link to the Good Samaritan Library.
In the spirit of embracing God’s mission in partnership, formation is central to ongoing Good Samaritan life and mission. As increasing numbers of lay people become involved with the Congregation in areas such as administration, health care, social services, education, governance and the environment, the necessity for targeted, intentional, ongoing and reflective formation opportunities becomes critical. In order to fulfil their roles imbued with the Good Samaritan Benedictine spirit, all partners in ministry require a strategically developed formation program.
The formation modules centre on the key elements of the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition – the Parable of the Good Samaritan, St Benedict and the Rule, the Sisters Yesterday and Today, and Good Samaritan Benedictine Values and Spirituality.
The modules are structured around a simple framework of Read, Watch, Listen, Reflect and Pray. Reflective music is provided and there are Going Deeper and Suggested Further Reading sections for those who wish to come to a deeper understanding of the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition.
There is a link to the Good Samaritan Library to access additional resources and visitors to the site may also wish to join our online community.
Respectful of individual needs, our partners will have the opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of Good Samaritan life, and to reflect upon how it aligns with their vocational and professional context.
Conducted in small group settings, or as an online community, the modules seek to offer a relational, holistic, multi-modal, formation experience, which responds to the differing realities of those who choose to enter into partnership with Good Samaritans.
A wide range of people have generously contributed their time, experience and gifts to the development of the website – Sisters, staff, Oblates, health care consultants, teachers, partners in ministry and friends. Their wisdom and insight is clearly evident and deeply appreciated.
To view the site, go to the Sisters of the Good Samaritan homepage, then click on the Good Samaritan Life logo or visit www.goodsamaritanlife.org.au. You are warmly invited to personally explore this wellspring of prayer, reflection, contemplation and resources, and to share its wisdom and spirit with all who seek the gift of the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition.
