Kildare Ministries 10 Year Anniversary Conference

In 1883, Brigidine sisters set sail from Ireland and crossed the seas on a mission to bring education to girls and young women in the colony of Australia.

Similarly, the Presentation sisters did the same.

The Brigidines and the Presentation Sisters have continued this ministry, founding schools all over Australia- including Marian College Sunshine West in 1957 where I have been teaching since 2008.

Both religious orders have overseen the management of the schools, however they knew that their time as stewards was limited so in 2014 Kildare Ministries was launched to eventually take over from the sisters and continue the ministry.

In 2018/2019, the sisters handed over responsibility and stewardship of the land fully to KM in a series of significant land transfer ceremonies.

Its now 10 years since that ministry began and it’s time to look at the future and Cross New Seas in an endeavor continue to meet the educational, spiritual and well being needs of all of our students.

KM schools have sent delegates to school hubs all over Australia-

Brisbane : Brigidine Gollege Indoorapilly,

Sydney: Brigidine College, St Ives,

Adelaide: Kildare College,

Melbourne: Star of the Sea (Brighton) and

Geelong: Clonard.

I, along with Jane, Joseph, Csilla and Amanda, have been sent to Brididine College Indoorapilly, to represent Marian College Sunshine West. It is an honour to do so and I’m hoping that the workshops I attend and the connections we make, will invigorate both my love for educating girls and my spirit. In the spirit of St Brigid!

Brisbane Bound Brigidines

It was a very early start to meet Joseph Jane and Csilla at the airport . Amanda joined us later.

I was excited to Kristen, my fellow pilgrim from the 2017 Pilgrimage, in the boarding queue so messaged her on the plane. I reminded her that there should be no repeat of the Galway shenanigans!

Joseph, Csilla and I walked and found a place to eat as it was too early to check in to our hotel. Jane ditched us for her laptop!

The weather is wet and humid and the trees and plants are so lush!

We found a lovely cafe and ate and talked and then braved more rain and hilly roads to get to Brigidine College.

Arrival tour with students to library where Csilla was in her element and got some great ideas!

Did you know bush turkeys are a thing here? Haven’t see one but apparently they harrass the chickens!

Another lovely greeting from Lia who was also on pilgrimage with me. Chanel is also here.

Due to the sunny Queensland weather 🤣, the Welcome to Country was transferred to inside but it was just as significant. So we were welcomed to the land of the Turrbal People.

The traditional name of Brisbane is Meeanjin- the place of the blue water lilies.

The principal of Brigidine College, Brendan Cahill , welcomed us to Brisbane and we met the very funny team who are MCing us over the next two days.

After a short break, Erica and Renee from KM, welcomed everyone in all of the hubs, to the conference via the wonders of technology (they filmed it in advance). Many of the sessions over the next two days will be live via video link. Fingers crossed for the tech! Or whoever the patron saint of the internet is…pray for us.

The theme for the conference is and it will be explored though the liturgies and workshops

Our first liturgy focused on encountering our story.

To encounter God in the heart of the world and to continue the mission of Jesus in the spirit of our founders Nano Nagle, Daniel Delany and the legacy of Brigid, we are called to keep our hearts open to the cry of Earth and the cry of those who are sick, powerless, lonely, rejected or scared – voices which challenge us to personal conversion and communal action.

Followed by a Reflection about the significant issues of injustice we face, that are not insurmountable when we ‘chip away’ at them together.

We then looked back to look forward and heard from Sister Louise Clearly, the same words she spoke 10 years ago at the launch.

More reflecting and writing

Here are my responses:

Memorable Encounters

⁃ The pilgrimage was my greatest memorable encounter. The whole trip was a liminal space and I found a spirituality again – found God again, and felt like I was a part of a beautiful story – the Brigid’s, the Nanos. That’s us.

What were my dreams?

⁃ Dreams to change girls lives by empowering them – not just educating them in subjects ( though I love that too) but as feminists, as women of worth, as loved by God and formed by God and who reflect God’s nature – imago dei

What have I done in last 10 years?

⁃ I recall the day we came together as a school at the Brigidine Heritage Centre in Albert Park and were told about the formation of KM to take over from the sisters. I remember feeling that this handing over seemed sad and yet exciting. It was also brilliantly prophetic – looking forward to ensure their mission would always keep going. The sisters were being prophets of a future not their own.

I’ve been there for the second pilgrimage to Ireland in 2017, and for the hand over of the land ceremonies. It really does feel like being part of that ongoing story.

That I am linked to Brigid and Nano is just mind blowing to me.

We need to be good ancestors to those coming after us.

Our footsteps are the road.

Dinner and drinks were at the Regatta Hotel where we chatted and made new friends and caught up with old ones.

Teaching staff, leadership, trustees, support staff, sisters and KM board members – encountering, dreaming, doing.