Alison Vella
As everybody very well knows, Alison is the guide of
our group. So Alison, if you don't mind, I'm going to take advantage of this
situation and bombard you with a few difficult questions!
First of all, just to get
to know you a bit more, what are the things that you really treasure in life?
The first thoughts that come to mind are (as you
probably suspected) my little son, Joseph, and my Husband, Tony, as well as my
parents who have given me so much, my brothers and my friends, especially those
in my communities Stepping Stones and Magis. Another treasure is the gift of
God’s love, and my faith which is the result of the guidance of so many special
people. I treasure my life and its potential, my freedom, my senses, the
education I received (intellectual and spiritual)… So many more things..
Just a curiosity, when were your first
reactions when Fr Preca first asked you to guide our group? Or how did it
actually happen?
My memory of how it happened is uncharacteristically
clear!! It was near the aquarium in the small refectory at Mount St Joseph
Retreat House, when Fr Godwin told me how hard it was to find someone to help
him with this new group he had started, cos they met at 3pm. Having just
commenced half days Tuesdays and Thursdays, I blurted out the fact that I was
sure he’d find someone who, like me, didn’t work some afternoons!! And here we
are, seven years later… At first I was extremely nervous, with very little
confidence and wondering how I managed to get myself into this… But now, I love
it!
What is your vision for our community?
I have a very positive feeling about young people and
their potential and willingness in general. Magis is a particularly positive
and receptive community, and my dream for Magis is very much in line with the
outcome of the recent directives from the World Assembly held in Nairobi – that
Magis becomes an Apostolic Community, available, generous, outward-looking,
courageous and willing to act and react, sensitive to social injustices, and
above all with a strong spiritual formation to spur them on.
Something which I always admired in you
is your enthusiasm and dedication in guiding our group. Wherefrom do you get
the strength do so?
I have received a lot with respect to my formation
from so many people, my parents, Fr Godwin sj, my community and our Guide -
Christina Spiteri, and I really believe that young persons can benefit greatly
from the sort of Ignatian formation which CLC can offer. So of course I am
enthusiastic, how can I not be? It is one of the small ways I can witness as a
follower of Christ. And, as I said, the people in Magis are a wonderful bunch…
Tony supports me wholeheartedly too, he keeps Joseph happy while I am at
community meetings, retreats etc, and even gave Magis a meeting instead of me
when Joseph was sick!!
What does being a member of the
leadership team for the young communities mean to you?
Oh I love this one!! Being on the Team for Young
Communities means being in my element for me. Young people are not set in their
ways, and for many reasons which I mentioned above (vision for Magis), I feel
that any effort which is relevant for them is fruitful. It means, as I said,
that I can pass on some of what I have received, and hopefully is energy well
spent.
Any last comments for our community and
the CLC in general?
Hmmmm… Be open to new challenges, generous when asked,
sensitive, active and prayerful.
Alison, I would like to thank you publicly in the name
of our community for guiding our group with so much love and sacrifices. May
God bless you, Tony and Joseph!