I have been privileged
to work at the Social Action Office (SAO) and I thank CLRIQ
for providing me with this opportunity to work with Religious
Congregations in this ministry. Taking my leave of the SAO
is not easy as I know I will miss the day to day contact with
some remarkable people. For many years, this has been a vital
and enriching faith community. Nevertheless, I feel at peace
about moving on. One knows when it is time, like a snake that
sheds its old skin and is embodied in the new.
A very special acknowledgement
to Pauline, Cathy, Annette, Deirdre, Marlette Black and Michele
Bourke for the wonderful support and friendship I have received
in these latter SAO years. Together we have done some great
work, holding on to the near edge of some big issues facing
the Earth community. It has been quite special. We have had
lots of fun in the midst of it all and I just hope they don't
tell too many stories about me when I have departed!
I know that I will
remain connected to both the organisation and to its spirit.
I wish the new SAO team every blessing as a page is turned
and the story continues.
It doesn't seem any
time since I began working at SAO in October 1999. The work
here at SAO has both challenged and extended me. There are
many skills which I have acquired and much knowledge that I
have gleaned. Above all it has been a wonderful opportunity
to work with other women committed to the work of social justice
and to be active in working to change unjust structures. The
strong Sophia spirituality on which our work is based has been
a source of courage and power, particularly when at times the
going has been rather "rough", to say the least.
I have been inspired by the fidelity of the number of Religious
who continue to show they are committed to the cause of justice
even after many years of toil and apparent failure. Often it
has been their fidelity to the projects here and to the Sophia
Circles and the ICSAG meetings that has given me the push to
keep going. I have felt loved and valued by these "regulars" and
have also appreciated their sense of humour!
A special word of
thanks must go to Coralie who has been a source of unfailing
encouragement, affirmation, life-giving criticism, ideas and
friendship. Annette, Deirdre and Cathy have also offered much
help along the way. In the early days Michele Bourke, who was
here for some months, encouraged and nurtured my computer skills
and together we laughed over many of the doings of the Office
when she and I formed a trio with Coralie.
I hope to continue
to work with SAO in some capacity from Townsville where I am
going for 2003. Ralph Waldo Emerson has something pertinent
to say about me at this stage of my life: "What lies behind
us and what lies before us is nothing compared to what lies
within us."
The Social Action
Office has been for me a testing ground, a place of nourishment
and a source of support. Here, I have been stretched, challenged
and had my convictions endorsed. The Social Action Office has
enabled me to find ways of taking actions that arise from my
sense of justice and mercy. I have been able to do this because
of the wonderful environment created by all of us at the Social
Action Office and by those who appreciate what we do.
My work has been in
the area of peace and reconciliation. These are like two big
rivers of issues but they have had me travelling along several
of their tributaries: The Bridge Walks, Treaty Education, "The
Stolen Wages", Landmines, Refugees, Prisons, World Trade
Issues, Jubilee 2000. Due to the part-time nature of my position,
I feel that I was not able to depth my involvement in these
issues as much as I would have liked. I hope that I have made
some contribution to raising issues of justice in these areas.
Hopefully, I may even have inspired others to take some action
relating to these issues.
As I leave my position
at the Social Action office, I want to say thanks for the opportunity
to be so involved in social justice work. I particularly thank
Coralie for her leadership and her ability to share her immense
knowledge. I also thank her for her encouragement and for the
way in which she has enabled me to be challenged. I thank Annette
and Pauline for their friendship, assistance and inspiration.
I thank Cathy for sharing her wonderful gift of computer technology
with all of us. Lastly, I thank all of you for supporting us
and for giving us an audience with whom to communicate.
As Annette takes up
her position as the Director, I wish her every blessing. I
have no doubt that she will take the SAO where it needs to
go as it continues its journey. May Sophia continue to guide
her in this role.
May the blessing of
peace, the blessing of mercy, the blessing of justice be ours
as the year ends and another begins.
