By Sr. Caroline Price, Unit Link Communicator, Province of Australia and New Zealand
At our Province Assembly between 12-14 May 2025, we were blessed to have with us Sr Joan Lopez, Congregational Leader, and three members of the Congregational Leadership Team (CLT) – Srs Josita Corera, Marie Francoise Mestry and Yolanda Sanchez.
The gathering included sisters either in person or on-line, and partners-in-mission from Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ), Good Shepherd New Zealand (GSNZ), our Boards and Stewardship Council. It was held at the Catholic Leadership Centre in Melbourne. We were a group of 45 people. Our facilitator was Sr Megan Brock, of the Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar.
Our time together began with an important traditional ceremony – the smoking ceremony led by Aboriginal Elder Perry Wandin of the Wurundjeri people. Elder Perry welcomed us on behalf of the local Aboriginal people.
The assembly began with a reflection led by Catherine Dillon, GSANZ’s Mission Director, followed by input from the CLT, and the opportunity for small group conversations, which sparked good energy within the group.
We were invited into a “connecting process”, where we met people from across the Good Shepherd network. This was followed by a panel with input from Sr Pam Molony on the work of the New Directions Committee. Sr Caroline Price spoke of the work of the Asia Pacific Circle Implementation Team (APCIT) and the Regional Planning Team (RPT), a group from the units that hope to form a new region.
In addition to Australia and New Zealand, this new region will include the Units of Indonesia, Singapore/Malaysia, North East Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong), and the sector of Pakistan. Sr Monica Walsh, Province Leader, spoke about the connection with the Asia Pacific Circle of Province Leaders, which has developed over 20 years. The input and information from the panelists was followed by a question-and-answer session and further discussion.
Day two began with a reflection led by Sr Anne Dalton, recalling the journey of the province from its foundation in 1863. This was an important reflection of our heritage and history, and very much appreciated by our partners-in-mission.
The presentation of the Province Report followed, given by Sr Monica Walsh with contributions from GSANZ, GSNZ, and the Stewardship Council. The highlights were key developments across the Good Shepherd network in our two countries. We are two countries and one mission.
The afternoon session began with the question: What does this mean as we move into the future? Two groups formed: sisters together and partners-in-mission together. We were invited to bring together what we had heard over a day and a half and reflect on what that means for us as we move towards a region. The feedback from this session was rich, enlightening, and sobering. The sisters are very aware they are an ageing group and know that the future of the Good Shepherd mission will depend on our partners-in-mission. And yet the zeal and energy for mission was vibrant and tangible. From the responses of partners-in-mission, it was evident that they were drawn into the mission journey of Good Shepherd.
The day concluded with the Eucharist together and an evening dinner. At the dinner, we had the opportunity to thank Sr Monica Walsh, who will complete 10 years as Province Leader on 31 May 2025. Sr Pam Molony gave a moving and fulsome tribute to Sr Monica.
The CLT has appointed Sr Caroline Price as Province Leader from 1st June 2025, until a new Regional Leadership is in place. Sr Caroline was warmly welcomed to the role. She will continue to work with the current PLT of which she has been a member since 2016.
The last day began for the sisters with a reflection led by Sr Jacinta Unger on the Good Shepherd from the Gospel of John. This drew us into the time of quiet and then of voting regarding the Region. The result of the vote was a clear YES to joining a new Region!
The final session brought together sisters and partners-in-mission for the closing remarks from Sr Joan Lopez and Sr Monica Walsh, and a beautiful reflection by Sr Jan Ryan that focused on the sisters who had led the province since 1863. The first four Irish sisters were sent from Angers by St Mary Euphrasia to… “Pitch your tent on distant shores…” Into the future, as a province, we are now widening that tent and expanding it to be part of a Region!
Throughout the assembly and the CLT visit to the province, the energy, vibrancy, and passion for mission was strongly evident.
We hope and pray, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we can continue to contribute to the Good Shepherd Mission with zeal, compassion, and justice
