Editorial
Dear Members of the Kildare Ministries Community,
Our mission statement, the statement of Kildare Ministries, challenges us to respond to the changing needs of our times, and to strive to build inclusive communities in our schools and community works.
We all know of the challenging times in which we live every day. Those challenges vary of course, resulting from diverse factors, many of which we cannot control, and many which we can. Jesus was somewhat revolutionary during his years of ministry, facing systems he could not control, yet he strived to build inclusivity in his areas of influence.
We of Kildare Ministries try to do the same, and here are stories of recent activities in our ministries carrying out the Kildare Ministries mission.
The Trustees met at Brigidine College, St Ives last week, a visit to one of our ministries for our usual meeting. It was a delightful visit as we were welcomed most warmly by Principal Kate Quinane and staff.
Students spoke of inclusion and of belonging at their College. They described the evident care for them by all staff and how, in turn, students take care and look after each other. Beyond their local community, they and the staff have been most generous in their support of the community works.
Reflecting on justice, our theme for this year, we are reminded that belonging is indeed something we help create for one another, looking beyond ourselves towards inclusion and dignity for others and making the needs of the vulnerable paramount. This was clearly a strong culture among the students as they shared their pride in their College and all that it provides for them.
Congratulations to Ms Quinane and the staff as they continue to build such a warm and inclusive community, responding to the changing needs of our times with courage and compassion.
Our community works (BASP, Wellsprings for Women and Saltbush, Balnarring) are also places of inclusive community as they compassionately care for refugees and asylum seekers and families under stress – all of whom are vulnerable to varying degrees. As they carry out their mission, they have increasingly built community with the schools which support them, and learn from them in a variety of ways.
The launch of the Wellsprings for Women Strategic Plan celebrated our mission statement in real time. Women who have sought shelter in our community in Victoria find Wellsprings to be a place of presence and belonging. The rooms of their centre ring with laughter, chatter and the familiarity of trust in community. Congratulations to Janet Cribbes (Board Chair) and the Board Directors, Dr Dalal Smiley (CEO) and staff, and the many volunteers who respond to, and help women flourish to become independent and confidently capable of taking their place in our society.
The Trustees are immensely proud of how our community works and school communities engage with the mission and vision for a better world.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledges that as a Church, we are journeying together. He is described as having a restless heart (Leo XIV, the New Pope and Catholic Reform, C. Altieri) 2025. Our Kildare Ministries prayer encourages us to ...hear the ancient blessings breathed into the ears of our hearts as we create the path to journey by a new and different way.
We are looking forward to our gathering, journeying together in Echuca for the Kildare Ministries Conference so as to hear the stories, see the faces, and understand more deeply the journeys we share, and to celebrate all we are and can be for each other. Our work focus will be to discuss the pathway of the journey ahead… transforming together.
Let us all go forward with courage and compassion!
Kathy McEvoy and Rosemary Copeland
Co-Chairs of the Trustees