Farewell to Erica Pegorer
With immense gratitude and deep appreciation, we acknowledge the remarkable leadership and legacy of Erica Pegorer, the founding Executive Director of Kildare Ministries, who recently announced her decision to conclude her tenure at the end of Term 2, 2025. Erica commenced in the role in 2014.
Since the establishment of Kildare Ministries, Erica has served with unwavering dedication, insight, and purpose. Over the past eleven years, she has not only shaped our shared vision but has helped it take root and flourish—leading with rock solid integrity, creative intellect and an expansive heart. Her vision and determination laid the foundations for a vibrant and courageous ministry, grounded in the traditions of our founding congregations, the Brigidine and Presentation Sisters, and responsive to the needs of our time.
From navigating the uncharted terrain of our early years to responding to significant societal and Church-wide challenges, Erica has led with authenticity and courage. Her ability to gather people around a common mission, to inspire trust, and to empower leadership in others has been transformational. Under her leadership, partnerships were strengthened, a culture of collaboration flourished, and a new expression of mission in the Church came to life. We are proud to be able to say, “We of Kildare Ministries….”.
In Erica’s own words, her time with Kildare Ministries has been a journey “of purpose, collaboration, relationships, connections and partnerships.” These qualities have not only defined her leadership—they have become embedded in the culture and character of Kildare Ministries. In her role of service to Kildare Ministries, and in her work with the Trustees, Erica demonstrated all the qualities already cited, and in doing so she carried the banner of Mission high for all to see – it is a complex, demanding and joyful role. She discerned “the fire within” and trusted “the opening path”. Today we can all look back over the 10 years and know that we have been blessed.
A lasting testament to Erica’s leadership was her visioning and delivery of the inaugural Kildare Ministries National Conference in 2024, celebrating our ten-year anniversary. This landmark event, bringing together staff from all schools and community works, was a powerful expression of Erica’s belief in the strength of shared purpose and the importance of coming together in community. With the theme Crossing New Seas – Encounter, Dream, Do, the conference invited us to reflect, to be challenged, and to imagine the future with boldness and hope. Through thought-provoking speakers, storytelling, and the generosity of all involved, Erica, together with the Conference Planning Committee, created a space where the story of Kildare Ministries was not only honoured, but reimagined and reinvigorated. The impact of this significant gathering continues to echo across our ministries. This milestone was preceded by smaller conferences in the pre-COVID era and the deeply reflective pilgrimages to Ireland. Those previous conferences and pilgrimages gave all participants special understanding of our modern day legacy from the founding Congregations, and a common response has been “Aaah, now I have a better understanding of what the traditions are about because I have walked in the Sisters’ footsteps as they focussed on mission in their eras”.
Erica’s leadership over the years has been instrumental in establishing Kildare Ministries as a well-recognised and highly regarded entity of the Church and wider society—respected for its principled advocacy, inclusive communities, and faithful embodiment of mission.
As she prepares to write a new chapter, we offer Erica our heartfelt thanks and our admiration, our prayers, and our blessings.
We are grateful for her pioneering spirit, her wise stewardship, and her warm enduring friendship. Her legacy will remain a guiding light as we continue to walk the path she helped shape—with hope, with courage, and always together.