OASIS 2014 -  REPORT OF THE SECOND DAY, 22 NOVEMBER.

After the Eucharistic celebration, participants were confronted with a question during the morning prayer service: "Why have I been chosen from my family to be a religious and secondly, from my community members to undertake this spiritual journey?" This question helped the participants to reflect on the uniqueness of the opportunity offered to each one of them to attend the climax of the journey each has began earlier.

Using the song "The more we come together, the stronger we become", Brothers Theo and Valentinus Daru led participants in a number of group dynamics. This included individual as well as group work, discussion questions, drawings and role plays. Each of these games  was significant as they had a number of messages to transmit, namely the value of corporation, collaboration, working together and appropriate communication. More importantly, the games were meant to bring participants close to each other and assist them get to know each other better. Particularly interesting was the question: what is your worst experience you ever had? The answers to this questions led to an appreciation of the present moment.

Also, some of the games revealed some experiences of working together, namely the usefulness and difficulties in building consensus, complementing each other, recognizing the gifts of others and the relevance of the contributions of all. Indeed, these games led to freedom of expression and a huge openness and closeness among participants. This was essential at the beginning of our journey together.

The day's program took a dramatic turn when at 14:30 we turned our attention to the memorial service in honour of our late Brother -  Nicholas Zumanaa. About 70 visitors, mainly friends of Bro. Nico joined the OASIS participants in an affectionate prayer service led by Bro. Alfred Fest. Seven candles representing seven highlights of Nico's life were lit before we processed into the chapel of the SSpS Sisters in Wahlwiller. Tributes were presented by representatives of the General Council FIC, the Provincial Council of The Netherlands, the Provincial Council of Ghana, and personal ones from Bro. Alfred Fest, and Mrs. Bloemberg, amidst songs poems and music on tape.

The significance of this service lies in the fact that it took place on the same day as the funeral rites and burial ceremonies were taking place in Ghana. It also afforded the Ghana delegation of the OASIS participants and the many friends of Bro. Nico here in The Netherlands the opportunity to pay their last respects to our dear brother and friend.

Certainly, at the time of death what we are left with is shared friendship and memories. So this sharing of friendship amidst grief brought the day's proceedings to a close. 

Bro. Raphael Besigrinee