Thank you and Farewell

We were delighted to welcome Trustees, Board Directors, Principals and Leaders of Community Works to the Brigidine Ministry Centre recently to farewell several long-standing members of our community. At the end of this year, Brigid Arthur AO will conclude her 9 year tenure as a Trustee of Kildare Ministries and Denis Fitzgerald completes his term as a Trustee. 

How fortunate our ministries have been to have been blessed with their dedicated and creative service given so generously over so many years. 

 Thank you to Brigid Arthur AO- (Excerpt from Luci Quinn's farewell speech to Brigid)

We could not have asked for a more authentic witness to the role of a Trustee in this foundational time in the life of Kildare Ministries. Brigid has been for us a ‘threshold leader’ firmly centred in living the values of the Brigidine Sisters inspired by history and heritage and yet she is a woman of vision, foresight and leads in the now and not only for the now but the future especially the future of Kildare Ministries. Brigid is a seeker of truth. The truth that only the deepest expression of the gospel of Jesus can find. She has inspired us with her witness to the Kildare Ministries core values. 

Her courage in challenging systems and processes that dehumanise and marginalize have galvanized and energized countless people across generations. Brigid in her role as Trustee is a woman of wonder, her ever present curiosity and love for learning about our school and our students has been so appreciated. Brigid’s passion for education and educational leadership was always evident. She has an amazing capacity to question and think critically whether it be about accounting practices, system perception surveys or dare I say it compliance. Her abundant hospitality will be something we remember. 

As a Trustee Brigid has been synonymous with our thinking about justice always challenging us with a different perspective. When Brigid speaks, we listen, because we know there will be often an uncomfortable truth to be wrestled with, indeed this is the role of a Trustee. When we enact the living Justice Living Peace Charter we will continue to walk in Brigid’s footsteps. We can only hope we too have the same quiet fearlessness and determination to do the work. 

Brigid’s compassion for all, is shown not just in her care for those on the margins which has been at the heart of her life’s work, but also her empathy and care for those of us who are a part of Kildare Ministries, including our students and staff, in particular those who have drawn hope from Trustee statements that she has helped to form.  Brigid’s energy, passion and life giving service has been a beacon of hope and we believe will be a source of inspiration long after her time as a Trustee is finished. 

We are grateful to have been served, guided, challenged and enlivened by this woman of fire and light.

Thank you, Brigid – we are all better for having you in our lives.

Thank you to Denis Fitzgerald -(Excerpt from Louise Cleary’s farewell speech to Denis)

Denis, we thank you for your service in the role of Trustee of Kildare Ministries over the part three years. It has been a strange time with the impact of COVID, yet you have given generously of your time and given great commitment to the work. Kildare Ministries has been enriched by your deep commitment to the Church and from the experience and involvement as a volunteer in many groups within the Catholic community in Victoria and beyond. Your background and experience in policy development and implementation, finance and international relations has been generously brought to the role of Trustee. Your enquiring mind and perspicuous questioning has sharpened this work. Kildare Ministries greatly appreciates the genuine interest you have taken in the schools and community works, and the time which you dedicated to visiting many of these when COVID restrictions were lifted. Denis, your extensive knowledge of the social services sector has been a gift and we thank you for the insight and sharing that has supported KM in its work. 

Denis, Kildare Ministries counts you as a friend. Your networking ability is second to none and we will certainly continue to tap into you for advice. Kildare Ministries knows that in relinquishing the trustee role you will continue to serve in prison ministry which you love and will have more time for family. We wish you and your wife, Elizabeth, every blessing! 

Louise Cleary

Chair - Kildare Ministries Members' Council

Farewell Bernadette Keating and Chanel Sugden

We also thank Bernadette Keating pvbm and Chanel Sugden csb who conclude their tenure on the Members' Council. These two women are at the heart of what Kildare Ministries is. They have been foundational to the establishment of Kildare Ministries and their faith, wisdom and commitment to a new Church entity has been inspirational.