Editorial

Dear KM community,

The year still feels new, even though we are almost at the end of February and already into the Lenten season. It speaks of the speed of time and how much we try to do in any one day, one week, one term. The new year brings with it anticipation and hope, as generally we wish for a good year or a better year from the previous one. One senses this at the first assembly or the opening mass, first gathering of a Board or staff which signal the anticipation of new growth, adventure and aspirations. We wish for all of you a year filled with joy and wonder and the resilience and strength to face the challenges that come your way with courage and compassion.      

John O'Donoghue is one of my favourites. Recently, his writing on thresholds invited me in: 

At any time you can ask yourself: At which threshold am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold? What gift would enable me to do it? A threshold is a simple boundary: it’s a frontier that divides two different territories, rhythms and atmosphere. Indeed, it is a lovely testimony to the fullness and integrity of an experience or stage of life that intensifies towards the end into a real frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart  being passionately engaged and woken up. At this threshold a great complexity of emotion comes alive: confusion, fear, excitement, sadness, hope.  This is one of the reasons such vital crossings were always clothed in ritual.  It is wise in our own life to be able to recognise and acknowledge key thresholds: to take your time; to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there; to listen inward with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward and then the time has come to cross. 

As many of you would be aware, last year was a threshold time for me as I faced a significant illness. It was my wildness experience in which I needed to acknowledge life’s uncertainty and darkness and surrender control like I’ve never had to do before.  The illness and subsequent treatment gave me new insights into Jesus’ wilderness experience (Mark 1:12-13), where he drifted into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights and tested his humanness.   Starving and surrounded by wild animals, Jesus, would have experienced the depth and breadth of human emotion, confusion, fear, doubt and aloneness. Accompanied by angels in the darkest hours, Jesus’ faith in his Father never faltered. 

During my own time in the wilderness I faced such fears and human vulnerabilities and yet also experienced being held and embraced. God’s Grace never left me and my angels, my family and friends, the Mission and Ministry Team and the Trustees and the extended Kildare Ministries community did that for me. I was surrounded by such strength and love and support that I could not but find light in the darkness and hope in the struggle.  My deep appreciation is extended to you all for your constant prayers and messages of support.  I could not have gone through what I did without you. I’m pleased to report that all is well with me now and I approach my work with renewed energy and purpose. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the year. 

As a Kildare Ministries community we are invited to explore our theme of Courage: Speaking and Acting with Integrity. It’s an appropriate theme for lent as well. A time when we are invited to look inward, reflect and to change aspects of ourselves, to improve our relationships and connections with self, family and community.  It takes courage to change.  A change such as moving from silence, to giving voice to injustices, can be a big step in our own growth and we should be encouraged to acknowledge and celebrate such change. Take the time to observe your own courage and the courage of those close to you; be present in the moment, note the growth and accept the new. 

Erica Pegorer

Executive Director

Kildare Ministries