MEDIA RELEASE, 19 June 2011
Religious leaders focus on the future at 2011 National Assembly
Just over 120 leaders of religious congregations will gather in Brisbane
from 21-24 June to consider the changing face of religious life.
Joining
the leaders at the annual Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) National
Assembly will be a representative from the Asia Pacific and three New
Zealand Religious.
CRA holds a National Assembly each year to
gather religious leaders together for sharing and support. Each assembly
is organised around a theme of current relevance to Religious and
society.
The theme of the 2011 assembly is 'See, I am doing a new
thing - the changing face of Religious life and the challenges'. This
theme continues the discussion on the findings in the November 2010
survey report 'See, I am doing a new thing' commissioned by CRA to get a
picture of religious life today.
While the report showed that
Sisters, Brothers and Clerical Priests were ageing and decreasing in
numbers, another key finding was that they have significantly broadened
their ministries and roles over the past 30 years.
Sister
Veronica McCluskie, Executive Director of CRA, said the members did not
want the information contained in the report to remain a few numbers and
graphs.
"We want to draw out the findings of the survey and
really examine the reality that is facing Religious and consider how we
will respond to it.
"So the focus at the assembly will be on
looking at what are the new things congregations are doing; what are the
challenges and what are we being called by God to do."
The
assembly's four keynote speakers will be Columban Father Noel Connolly,
Mercy Sister Jan Gray, Loreto Sister Christine Burke and Jesuit Father
Richard Leonard. Father Noel will discuss the theme from a missiological
(mission) perspective. Sister Jan will focus on the topic from a
theological position and Sister Chris will consider the changing face of
religious life from an international context. Father Richard will look
at religious life in a media-saturated culture and will lead a workshop
on social networking.
A number of other Religious will
report on ways they have adapted, changed or taken on completely new
ministries and roles.
Each day will begin with prayer and there
will be significant time for delegates to discuss and reflect on
information and ideas being presented over the three and a half days. On
Thursday, 23 June the group will gather for the assembly Eucharist
which will be led by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Archbishop John
Bathersby.
"We look forward to a gathering of great
companionship, sharing and prayer together," Sister Veronica said. "We
hope that leaders will leave with many ideas and much inspiration to
take back to their congregations."
MEDIA RELEASE, 4 May 2011
ALERT FOR GOD'S NOW - The Congress of
Presentation Sisters of Australia and Papua New Guinea
"Alert for God's Now" and a growing consciousness of the
interconnection with the entire Earth community were important themes of
the Presentation Society Congress. Representatives from six Australian
congregations, plus representatives from Papua New Guinea, gathered in
St Joseph's Baulkham Hills 25-29 April. Two Sisters from New Zealand,
from the Union of Presentation Sisters, were also present.
 |
(left) Sr Bernadette Keating pbvm (retiring Society
Leader)
and Maureen Watson pbvm (new Society Leader)
|
Members
at Congress stressed the importance of fostering closer relations with
the International Presentation Association (IPA). It is through IPA that
Society has non-government status at the United Nations. God's mission
is expressed in a variety of ministries with particular emphasis on
justice and advocacy for systemic change.
Degradation of the Earth and humanity's integral
relationship with all of creation urge the Sisters to live simply and
sustainably.
Sr Bernadette Keating completed her term of office
as Society Leader and Sr Maureen Watson was elected to lead Society for
the next five years.
The new Society website (www.presentationsociety.org.au)
was also launched.
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