About 15 members of the Good Samaritan community attended the Mission: One Heart Many Voices conference, hosted by Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia in Sydney from 19-21 May, exploring the theme ‘Choosing Hope. Trust yourself to its leading’.
By Debra Vermeer
The Good Samaritan contingent included Sisters, Oblates, staff and representatives from Good Samaritan Education.
Keynote presenters included theologian and member of the Synod on Synodality, Dr Estela Padilla from the Philippines. Estela was previously the keynote speaker at the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Congregational Chapter in 2023.
Her address, titled ‘Searching your hope, trusting to its leading – Why be a Pilgrim of Hope?’ explored the spiritual and practical dimensions of hope.
Workshops covered a wide range of topic areas, all reflecting the overall theme of Hope.
Estela reflected on the synodal journey between local communities and the universal Church, and how hope emerges through personal, communal and global experiences, describing hope as something that can take many forms, including a rock and a bridge.
“My first description of hope is light inside of you … this light goes through your cracks of darkness, this light pushed me to breaking free,” Estela said.
Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, addressed the conference on the theme of ‘Choosing’. She spoke candidly about the ongoing reality of sexual abuse in Australia, particularly among marginalised groups such as migrants and people from the LGBTIQA+ community, and emphasised how creating safe spaces for people in distress can spark real change and build a safer future for all.
Father Richard Lennan, a priest of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and a theologian based in Boston in the US, delivered his presentation by video-link on the possibilities for formation in a Synodal Church.
Youth leader Madeline Forde from South Australia led a discussion with fellow youth ministry leaders about how we can listen to what young people are seeking in their faith journey and embrace and encourage the gifts they are offering to the whole Church.
On the final day, those attending the Conference Breakfast were inspired by hearing from students who had been part of Catholic Mission’s Interfaith Encounter inter-school program, which was followed by a panel discussion.
Good Samaritan Sister Agnes Farrugia said she found the conference to be “nourishing, challenging, reflective and enjoyable”.
Among the highlights for her were The Crossing Place Experiential Reflection, which was based on the poem, Trasna, by Raphael Considine PBVM.
“The words and invitations in the poem/reflection Trasna … moved me deeply and I have kept coming back to reread and reflect on it in the weeks since the conference,” she said. “Its searching questions are so relevant for each of us, wherever we are on our life and spiritual journey.”
Dr Estela Padilla, theologian and Member of the Synod on Synodality, presented ‘Searching your hope, trusting to its leading – Why be a Pilgrim of Hope? Image: Catholic Mission.
Agnes also enjoyed Estela’s keynote session and said she found Richard Lennan’s session on formation in a Synodal Church enlightening, including his comments that “we are unfinished pilgrims rather than programmed” and that “grace meets us where we are, not where we should be”, along with his emphasis that “without integral, ongoing, shared authentic formation, a Synodal Church will remain unrealised”.
“The specialised workshops were also rich in content. I particularly valued ‘Pilgrims of Hope in Communities of Diversity’, given by Bishop Tiim Norton SVD as he shared his experiences as Bishop of Broome,” Agnes said.
Dr Monica Dutton, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Spirituality and Mission Animation Special Projects Coordinator, said the conference offered her a lot of takeaway moments, both personal and professionally.
“I was profoundly moved by the washing of the feet ritual with Good Samaritan Sister Kath Bourke and members of the L’Arche Community,” she said. This involved members of the community with a disability and their companions reverently washing each other’s feet, while all present were encouraged to look for opportunities throughout the day where they could both give and receive a metaphorical washing of feet as Jesus did with his friends at the Last Supper.
“I also really liked the youth interfaith dialogue conversation on the last morning – a faith-filled and hope-filled session,” she said.
“Richard Lennan’s session was the standout for me – really engaging, insightful, timely and so applicable to framing formation opportunities within the recommendations of the Synod’s final document.”
Monica said the workshops she attended, including Bishop Tim’s and another entitled ‘Queer Gospel Joy’ by Benjamin Oh and Rainbow Catholics, were engaging and informative.
For Good Samaritan Sister Meg Kahler, one of the highlights was the Conference Breakfast keynote presentation featuring Catherine Towiro, Calisha Bennett and students from the Interfaith Encounter inter-school program.
“Recent events in our world have highlighted the great need to learn about, and from, the richness of faith traditions. This program allows me to see that our young people are eager to do this,” Meg said.
“As always, Richard Lennan presented something to ponder as our Church moves into the next phase. It’s a journey of hope! And Estela brings her personal experiences, her knowledge to help us understand ‘where we are’ as a Church and as a Congregation, showing there is nothing to be feared, it is just part of the challenge to let the new emerge.”
And Good Samaritan Sister Veronica McCluskie said that overall, she found it a great conference, also nominating Richard Lennan’s presentation, the interfaith school program, and Bishop Tim’s workshop outlining his learnings about incorporating First People’s insights into God and religion.
“Every speaker had some inspirational thoughts,” she said. “I was very impressed with Anna Cody. She spoke on a difficult topic, and it certainly raised questions for some. I loved her courage to claim her catholicity while calling all to respect and inclusion for all.”
Each of those who attended said that one of the strengths of the conference was the opportunity to meet up and talk with so many people engaged in a variety of ways in the Church’s mission.
“Opportunities for connection and reconnection with colleagues are always wonderful. It’s great to share ideas and to catch up with what everyone is doing,” Monica said.
