Kildare Ministries Newsletter

Land Transfer Ritual

St Joseph's College 

Land Transfer Ritual, Thursday 22 March 

A Celebration of Hope – the Transfer of Stewardship

Representatives of the Brigidine Sisters, the community of St Joseph’s College, Echuca, Trustees of Kildare Ministries, Kildare Education Ministries Board, the local Stewardship Council

and  staff gathered in the College Chapel on the 132nd anniversary of the College’s founding.  We celebrated a most significant moment in the story of each group, and indeed of the church and wider education community.  The gathering reflected a celebration of the courage, albeit with sadness, of Brigidine Sisters, as well as a certain joy in the beginnings of a continuing and a new story in the life of the community.

Vic Community Leader Anne Hill presents Rosemary Copeland, Kildare Ministries Trustee, with the Land Transfer Plaque
Congregation in the college chapel
Vic Community Leader Anne Hill presents Rosemary Copeland, Kildare Ministries Trustee, with the Land Transfer Plaque
Congregation in the college chapel

 The words of Michael Delaney, College Principal, capture this significance: “This signifies a change in the role of Brigidine Sisters here in this place, from one of responsibility and governance to one of accompaniment . . .”  Sr Anne Hill in gifting the commemorative plaque to Rosemary Copeland, Co-Chair of the Trustees stated: “This is given in gratitude for your on-going stewardship of the mission”.  Rosemary acknowledged with gratitude the trust of the Brigidine Sisters.  The reflection in the prayer gathering focused on the breaking of bread at Emmaus  – there was a felt sense of all present committing themselves to continuing to share the bread of life, of welcome, of hospitality, of service and joy within the community and with the stranger.   It was indeed a moving moment in the journey of Brigidine Sisters, Kildare Ministries and the College.  This moment marked the passing of the stewardship of the ministry of education, within the community of St Joseph’s to the responsibility of Kildare Ministries.

 

The gathering moved from the Chapel to the College auditorium with the 1000 students and staff of the College to celebrate their belonging to a community of hope - a belonging supported by a story, by prayer, reflection, joy, song and fun!  Through dramatisation the students enacted their feisty woman of hope, St Brigid, welcoming another woman of hope, Nano Nagle, once her credentials were examined!

Two of St. Joseph's Year 12 Drama students performed their interpretation of the St. Brigid and Nano Nagle story
We were treated to some wonderful singing and performing in St. Joseph's
Two of St. Joseph's Year 12 Drama students performed their interpretation of the St. Brigid and Nano Nagle story
We were treated to some wonderful singing and performing in St. Joseph's

This was the first ritual of transfer at the first place in Victoria of Brigidine education.  Over the next twelve months the transfer rituals at the other former Brigidine and Presentation Sisters ministries throughout Victoria, and in South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales, will take place.  We look forward to more celebrations of hope.

Nola Vanderfeen pbvm

Kildare Ministries Trustee