Principal's Message

Kildare Ministries Conference 2021

It was a privilege for a number of the staff at Marian to attend the biennial Kildare Ministries Conference. Focused on the theme “Living Justice Go Out Joyfully!” the program explored sub-themes of Peace for Humanity, Our Mother Earth, Our First Australians, and Seeking a Home. The Conference began at Marian College Ararat with a welcome to country which was then followed by a celebration of the Eucharist. At the Mass the Co-Chairs of the Trustees of Kildare Ministries officially launched a charter entitled “Living Justice, Living Peace” which provides us all a vision to enable justice and peace with all those we have contact with and in all that we do. This very rich and inspiring charter will be introduced to the Marian College community over the coming months.

Attendees at the Conference participated in a number of keynote sessions that would eventually culminate in suggestions that the Trustees of Kildare Ministries can consider in the development of a future strategic plan. The keynote sessions were very informative, practical and thought provoking and involved many of the current issues confronting our communities. The program included:

‘Your words are a lamp for my feet, a lantern for my path’. Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD, Fourth Bishop of Parramatta
Peace and Justice in relation to spirituality, ecology, and the earth. Sr Anne Boyd csb
Who needs to be clearly seen and truly listened to? Student Voice. Panel of students from Kildare Ministries schools shared experiences/stories of their communities.
Living Justice, Living Peace – An expression through Art. Recontextualising the Founders stories into the Kildare Ministries Narrative. St Joseph’s College, Echuca.
‘Peace, Justice and Jesus’ ministry.’ Fr. Michael Trainor
Living Justice Living Peace: Go out Joyfully! Community Works Panel
- Brigid Arthur csb – Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project
- Dalal Smiley- Wellsprings for Women
- Rachel Connor – Presentation Family Centre
Mission Governance & Leadership: Living Justice, Living Peace. Fr. Michael Trainor

One other practical outcome of the Conference was the professional learning that occurred through the sharing between the individual schools and community works and developing an understanding of the common issues confronting each ministry. It is planned that some of the sessions content will be shared with students throughout 2021.

Opening of the Louise Cleary csb Learning Centre

A reminder that the official opening of the Louise Cleary csb Learning Centre will take place on Monday 17 May. Please note that classes will conclude at 1pm on Monday. Unfortunately, in keeping with Covid-19 safety provisions, we have had to restrict numbers that can attend and hence attendance is by invitation. The Learning Centre will be opened by Sr Brigid Arthur csb, a Trustee of Kildare Ministries.

Raymond Pisani

Principal