By Sandra Neville, Congregational Safeguarding Advisor
Although disappointed not to have met Sr. Maria von Trapp on my recent visit to Austria in late October, I did find more than a warm welcome from Sr. Beartix Lewe, Province Leader of Austria/Switzerland/Czech Republic, and her dedicated and passionate team of safeguarding personnel who work in the province.
The purpose of the visit to the projects in Austria was to spend some time with the new safeguarding personnel and broaden their understanding of safeguarding in their reality. We discussed risk assessments, codes of conduct, reporting procedures (in line with the country framework), and, in particular, safe activities for all those who attend the various services.
In Salzburg, we visited St. Joseph’s School and kindergarten, which, although no longer directly managed by the Congregation, continues to echo with Good Shepherd spirituality, values, and ethos thanks to Sr. Beatrix Lewe, who maintains close ties with the school’s management.
Our later visit to Baumgartenberg Abbey – nestled among the picturesque hills near the Danube – inspired us as we glimpsed the full circle of life. Having acquired the former Cistercian monastery in 1865, our sisters and partners-in-mission have unceasingly dedicated themselves to the care and education of girls on the grounds.
Today, the Congregation runs the Good Shepherd High School, which includes a technical college and business school. The serene beauty of the abbey grounds is also home to various other ministries, including a center for people living with disabilities and a care facility for the elderly, where some of the Austrian sisters now reside.
The visit marked a bittersweet farewell for Sr. Hedwig Johl from Switzerland as she retired from her role as safeguarding link councilor. Over these past three years, she has worked with an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and has built the firm foundations upon which Sr. Ethna McDermott and her capable team will continue to build.
As I, too, prepare to leave my role as the safeguarding advisor for the Congregation, I hope the hills will be alive with the sound of safeguarding… for a thousand years!
