From 12 to 16 January 2026, St. Clement’s Retreat Centre in Galong, New South Wales, became a meeting place of cultures, stories, and shared hope as Redemptorists from Oceania, Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka gathered for the “Under-60 Fusion Gathering.” More than a conference, the event was a moment of listening, encounter, and renewed commitment to a common future.
The gathering aimed to strengthen relationships among confreres of diverse backgrounds and to advance the ongoing process of integrating the three Units into one. At its heart was the Redemptorist mission itself: to proclaim the Gospel across boundaries and to respond together to the needs of a changing world.
The words of Acts 1:8 framed the spirit of the days: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.” In prayer, conversation, and shared reflection, participants explored what it means today to cross borders of language, culture, and history in order to serve more faithfully and inclusively.
Guided by facilitators David Leary, OFM, and Dr. Pina Ford, confreres worked in mixed groups, learning from one another’s experiences and perspectives. Their discussions focused on five key areas essential to the future of the congregation: Apostolic Life and Mission, Governance, Community Life and Cultural Heritage, Formation, and Communications. These sessions gave voice to both hopes and challenges, weaving individual insights into a shared vision.
The atmosphere throughout the gathering was marked by openness and quiet enthusiasm. A special dialogue with members of the Oceania Province Chapter allowed younger confreres to listen to seasoned voices, while also sharing their own dreams and questions for the years ahead.
One particularly moving moment came through the presentation of tapestries prepared by each Unit. Rich in color and symbolism, they depicted the mission of the Redemptorists within their unique cultural, social, and political landscapes—visual testimonies to a diversity held together by a single calling.
The gathering concluded in a plenary session that summarized key outcomes and invited all participants to remain actively engaged in the fusion process. It was not an ending, but a threshold.
In Galong, the words “One Spirit, One Mission” took on living form. The days spent together affirmed that unity need not erase difference, but can deepen it into a shared strength—laying foundations for a new Redemptorist Province rooted in communion, collaboration, and hope for the people they are called to serve.
Sanath Fernando (Transition Communication Group)
