October 26th 2012 saw the last day of SSCC's Vocations and Promotions Director, Shane Halpin.  Shane, who was over three years in post has left to take up a position with Sacred Space the online prayer site of the Irish Jesuits in Dublin.  Shane joined the Congregation's Vocation team at perhaps the most challenging of times in the recent history of the Irish Church but never let it get to him and immediately began to look at creative ways to put the SSCC on the map.  To this end he initiated the province's latest apostolate the Adventure Retreats Programme in Cootehill in Cavan as a much needed resource for youth evangelisation.  In a three way partnership with Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre and Net Ministries he put in place a programme with the assistance of Br Ultan Naughton SSCC and members of the Damien Centre board of directors. This project continues to grow and is now in its third year of operation at the Congregation's Damien Centre facility near Cootehill.  He was also instrumental in starting the Damien Mission Group at the SSCC parish in Sruleen another project which continues to grow and is active in raising awareness and money for the SSCC overseas mission.  Shane was adamant that the future of the Congregation lies in harnessing the skills and enthusiasm of the three branches of the SSCC, the brothers, sisters and lay associates working together in creative partnership. In terms of new members to the Congregation, a number of young possible candidates continue to walk on the first stages of accompaniment with Vocations Director Fr Pearse Mullen SSCC. It was refreshing to see two of these at the recent profession of Br Ultan.