Brother Tim Smyth

For four days in September (19-22) forty-nine students from 18 consortium schools in five countries (U.S., Canada, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay) came together for the fiftieth annual ACTION Leadership Workshop held at the Newark Diocesan Retreat Center. As described in the ACTION brochure, this workshop provides students with:

• A deeper sense of the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice
• A stronger living of the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education
• Advocacy awareness
• Communication skills
• An awareness of individual giftedness
• Community building skills
• An enhanced sense of self-esteem
• Cross-cultural experience
• Time for prayer and reflection
• New friendships, especially within the Edmund Rice Network

Here are some comments from students who attended:

• “I fully became a part of Edmund Rice International.”
• “It was a phenomenal experience to meet and connect with student leaders who experience the same challenges and triumphs.”
• “Honestly, one of the best few days of my life.”
• “ACTION put me out of my comfort zone and made me a better leader in my community.”

"The glory of God is the human being fully alive." St Iranaeus