Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A back-pack view of Loreto history
Mary Ward was a ground-breaking woman from 16th century England, whose pioneering spirit impelled her to pursue a faith filled education for young women, while engaging in a new way of religious life free of enclosure. She was a journeywoman!
Across the English channel, over the Italian Alps, by coach, by boat, on foot she traveled, a pilgrim figure in hat and coat, of slim resources and comforts. An intrepid woman and daring innovator, her deep spirituality and intimacy with God enabled her to remain faithful to her dream even in the face of persistent opposition.
Travel was perilous and not an easy thing for a woman of her times. Mary’s commitment and fortitude have inspired a long line of women from far away lands to follow the gospel as she did, to bring her charism to Australia. Her values of deep joy, true inner freedom, integrity, a strong sense of justice, are those we still carry with us on the journey. Others have linked in with us on the way. Together we carry out her dream.
This back-pack captures something of our unfurling history. As a symbol of the journey it winds its way in Olympic fashion to places that are representative of the Loreto story in Australia. It will capture the story of what has been done, what we are doing today, and what we will do together in the future. Within it are the pages that we wish you to write on today, reflecting on what it means to be part of this circle of friends for today’s times. The backpack also contains a piece of silk on which we invite you to paint or draw a symbol of how Mary Ward’s spirit lives on in your community.
In welcoming the arrival of the backpack you are remembering and giving thanks for the
courage of Mary Ward 400 years ago, and for the unfolding story of her Institute in many parts of Australia.
And so today we are challenged to keep her story alive as we try to live out the ideals to which she aspired; we are challenged to engage with the injustices of the world, to seek to make a difference, and to do all with great generosity of spirit and joy.
Hers was a journey of ups and downs, a story of the overcoming of hardship with a faith that was immoveable, a hope that was invincible, and a love that never ended.
We can do no less!
Across the English channel, over the Italian Alps, by coach, by boat, on foot she traveled, a pilgrim figure in hat and coat, of slim resources and comforts. An intrepid woman and daring innovator, her deep spirituality and intimacy with God enabled her to remain faithful to her dream even in the face of persistent opposition.
Travel was perilous and not an easy thing for a woman of her times. Mary’s commitment and fortitude have inspired a long line of women from far away lands to follow the gospel as she did, to bring her charism to Australia. Her values of deep joy, true inner freedom, integrity, a strong sense of justice, are those we still carry with us on the journey. Others have linked in with us on the way. Together we carry out her dream.
This back-pack captures something of our unfurling history. As a symbol of the journey it winds its way in Olympic fashion to places that are representative of the Loreto story in Australia. It will capture the story of what has been done, what we are doing today, and what we will do together in the future. Within it are the pages that we wish you to write on today, reflecting on what it means to be part of this circle of friends for today’s times. The backpack also contains a piece of silk on which we invite you to paint or draw a symbol of how Mary Ward’s spirit lives on in your community.
In welcoming the arrival of the backpack you are remembering and giving thanks for the
courage of Mary Ward 400 years ago, and for the unfolding story of her Institute in many parts of Australia.
And so today we are challenged to keep her story alive as we try to live out the ideals to which she aspired; we are challenged to engage with the injustices of the world, to seek to make a difference, and to do all with great generosity of spirit and joy.
Hers was a journey of ups and downs, a story of the overcoming of hardship with a faith that was immoveable, a hope that was invincible, and a love that never ended.
We can do no less!
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