Kevin and Faye say ‘Goodbye’ to the Zone

05 Nov Kevin and Faye say ‘Goodbye’ to the Zone

Dear Teams members in TransAtlantic Super Region,

Some time has now elapsed since the International Gathering in Turin. Attendees have indeed returned home with “burning hearts” to share their experiences.

The Gathering also marked the end of our responsibility as members of the International Leading Team (ERI), and as the Liaison Couple for the TransOceanic Zone. With our journey complete, we are delighted that Ellen and TJ Holt from USA have taken on the role as our replacements. Since returning from Turin, we have been reflecting on the last five years, particularly on our work as Liaison Couple for the Zone.

The TransOceanic Zone is vast, both in span of geography and in its diversity of cultures, even more so with the inclusion of USA and Canada in the recently restructured Zone. We are members of the Zone that spans the oceans. It is the oceans that are joining us as one rather than separating us, and it is therefore appropriate that the new name for the Zone is “TransOceanic”. Today, our hearts reach out to yours, for one last time, across the oceans.

We now understand more clearly the leadership style of Pope St John Paul II, who stepped out from the Vatican to visit more countries than any previous Pope. Each time he visited a country, he would kiss the ground as soon as stepped from the plane. Of course, we have yet to follow this particular practice! However, we do share his enormous love and respect for different cultures that make up the Catholic Church.

We have visited many countries as part of our liaison role. Each time, we have been overwhelmed by the openness and hospitality of the team members we met. Through the example of these lives, we have grown in both knowledge and wisdom.

We remember our visits to Great Britain and Ireland with great fondness. Sadly, due to COVID we were not able to visit the English-speaking Teams in Africa and Trinidad/Tobago. However, we were able to meet some of you at the recent International Gathering. We remember each of these meetings as encounters with cherished friends. We will miss you dearly.

We thank all those who have taken on roles of responsibility in your Regions and Sectors to support and serve the Teams movement in different ways. We particularly want to thank Dzidzia & Piotr, Annette & Paul, and Fr Liam. We are very appreciative for their support, and for the enormous work they have done in their areas of responsibility.

As we set forth in whatever new direction the Holy Spirit takes us after the ERI, we have been inspired and enlivened by having journeyed together with such wonderful people.

God blessings and our warmest wishes,

Faye and Kevin Noonan
Liaison Couple, TransOceanic Zone (2019-2024)