Editorial

For many, the Kildare Ministries Conference may seem like a distant memory. However, the conference and the feedback that came from it, has been a key focus for the Trustees, Kildare Ministries Network meetings, and student seminars. As this newsletter aims to show, the Kildare Ministries Voice - the voice of the conference - continues to resonate and shape our future directions. 

As I drove to the office today, I listened to a podcast and my ears pricked up when the guest shared her definition of ‘transformative’. This concept lies at the heart of our Kildare Ministries Vision, Mission and Values.  

When I think of ‘transformative’ in the context of living justice and living peace, I usually think of change for the better, an opportunity for growth, for correction of an erroneous trajectory. I think of inclusion where there has been exclusion, or acceptance where there was rejection. But this dual between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ was not at the heart of the podcaster's wisdom. Instead, she claimed a space at the very bottom of the injustice – right at the beginning-time when it first started to become an issue.  

We see the need for justice in front of us all the time, in our schools and our community works, and we strive all the time to relieve the burdens being unfairly carried by those among us all. We yearn for the transformation of the system that perpetuates this unfairness. 

This podcaster claimed that true and lasting transformation of the system is never a magical switch from dark to light but requires deep reflection on how that injustice, that lack of peace, came to be. We can, and need to, alleviate suffering, but how can we transform society in such a way that suffering is not inevitable? 

Herein lies her challenge:

In a world of efficiencies, practical lists, and glittering accolades for individual winners, we are being asked to slow down. We are being asked to look more deeply, more closely, and further back in our history.  How can we, in this frantic world, possibly achieve this depth of thought and, therefore, the eventual practice that leads to real transformation? 

I thought of the vast wealth of thoughts and ideas shared through the conference and of all the earnest feedback that came our way, and I also thought of the conversations that continue after finding their impetus there.  We cannot possibly achieve the depth of thought and feeling that leads to real transformation of injustice without each other.  

We need the diversity that is characteristic of the human race. The diversity celebrated by the endlessly creative Holy Spirit is our gift. We may not always agree, we may not always be on the same page, and sometimes we may seem completely strange to one another. But from the conference, I see and hear people expressing so much hope—hope born from simply opening a space for genuine and purposeful conversation.

Since the conference, and that time of summarizing and poring over the feedback in the office, I have watched feedback begin to take on another life in the Kildare Ministries networks. In further discussions at these meetings, I have watched threads being picked up and handled or joined with another thread.  

So many members of Kildare Ministries have begun to do their best in turning what was an amazing encounter with each other into living dreams of justice and peace. 

Let’s not stop talking to one another about Living Justice and Peace.  

This is our hope. 

Renee Oberin

Mission Leader 

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13)