By Natashya Fernandez
The launch of a new Catholic Women’s Mentoring initiative has been a big moment for the Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship group of 2015/16.
The national program, which was launched at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney on Saturday May 20, 2017, is aimed at building the skills, confidence and networks of Australian Catholic women and encouraging them in their faith.
The brainchild of 12 young women from the 2015/16 fellowship group, Program Coordinator, Christine Pace said that the mentoring program was borne out of the need for women to get together and support and organise themselves to have an impact as women of faith.
“Its flexible and relationship-based structure helps develop your potential in a safe and supportive environment. The right mentor can redefine the way you view yourself,” Ms Pace said.
“This program is different to professional development and corporate programs; it sees mentoring as a tool of empowerment which can help us to become what God created us to be,” she said.
“I firmly believe that Catholic women who are strong and affirmed in their faith and their capabilities can do amazing things to transform society.
“Faith-filled women on fire with the Holy Spirit, can be the hands and feet of God through their lives. To do this, we need solid formation, spiritual nourishment and encouragement from others in our faith,” she said.
The event was attended by almost 200 people and the launch commenced with a Mass in Mary Mackillop Chapel, celebrated by Father Greg Bourke.
The launch saw Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation and Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Senator Deborah O’Neill and Dr Gerard Goldman from BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education among others present at the launch.
Acknowledging the unique gifts Catholic women have to offer the Church and Australian society, Senator O’Neill said that the Catholic faith is a radical choice in our time and Catholics can bring a strong sense of hope to our world.
The Senator also referenced Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop, who urged us never to see a need without doing something about it, pointing out that programs like this can empower women to respond to these needs.
Dr Goldman shared his excitement at the new program, noting the very significant and long-lasting impact that women have had in his own life and faith journey.
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Director (ACM) Vicky Burrows who was one of the participants in the fellowship cohort said that the Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship was a fantastic two-year program that she found enriching as a leader for mission in the Catholic Church.
“The best unit was leadership for mission. It was a combination of intensive retreat times with semester long studies allowed for growth and development over time. Understanding inter-religious dialogue and inter-faith relations and what our church teaches was really significant for me, working with Aboriginal people.
“The mentoring program was the fruit of our two-year fellowship – it was our major project. In doing the interfaith fellowship over the two years we identified the need for a mentoring program which we launched at the end of our fellowship. The program is a great platform to inspire and nourish women of faith and listen to their voices and the unique perspective they will bring,” Ms Burrows said.
To know more or be a part of this program, visit www.catholicwomensmentoring.org.au