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- RESPONSE
TO CLARE PRATT'S ADDRESS
- Mrs Trish
Burns
AMASC World President
- I'm sure you are
right Clare when you say that Madeline Sophie would have
considered Australia as being at the very ends of the
earth. but I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say
we are so pleased that as it is a much smaller world now
-- only taking 24 hours instead of three months from
europe --- so, the thought of making such a journey did
not deter you from coming here!
- Thank you for your
insightful address. We welcome you to the AMASC Congress,
not just as a keynote speaker, but also as a full
participant … as we explore ways towards
reconciliation.
- I would also like to
officially welcome the delegates to the World Conference
of heads of Sacred Heart schools who have just joined
us.
- I was very taken with
Clare's thoughts on reconciliation …. especially
when she reminded us that we are all on a journey of
reconciliation -- with ourselves, our families and others
who are a part of our lives.
- I believe the need
for reconciliation has never been as vital to the world
as it is today. It was necessary before September 11, but
now it is urgent and desperately necessary.
- We can decide -- it
is a choice -- whether to go into ourselves, shut others
out … or open our hearts, step into others shoes,
learn to listen with our hearts, to empathise, to be more
tolerant and have generosity.
- Over the next few
days my hope is, that we will not only share ideas, but
also learn to open our hearts.
- I was moved by
Clare's request for pardon on behalf of the Society, for
any hurt caused alumnae by past acts, as the Society
embraced changes following Vatican II. Thank you Clare.
On behalf of AMASC I accept and appreciate your apology.
- Let me in turn, ask
the Society's forgiveness for any alumnae words, actions
or lack of understanding of your changes that I know
caused you and other members of the Society deep hurt and
sometimes, rejection.
- In the true meaning
of reconciliation let us put this behind us, always
mindful of the other in an effort to make sure this never
again happens in the future. Let this Australian World
Congress, mark another step forward for us all to move
on… with mutual trust, appreciation and love.
- As members of the
Family of the Sacred Heart, let us all join together in
friendship - religious of the Sacred Heart, Principals,
Alumnae as well as staff, parents, past parents and
pupils - to form a successful collaboration.
- I've had the
privilege of serving the Alumnae as World President for
the past four years -- and One of the most amazing
experiences for me has been to meet so many of the
alumnae from very different cultures and to discover that
we're not all that different after all. Having been
involved with AMASC since the 1970's I knew this of
course, but it has been greatly reinforced for me during
my mandate.
- We may be from
different cultures but the fact is … we share the
same values --- values that bind, values that we have
been fortunate enough to learn and experience through our
Sacre Coeur education.
- At the 1998 World
Congress in Mexico the late Uruguayan theologian Teresa
Porcile declared that the Heritage of the Sacred Heart is
generosity, discretion; it is inwardness, industry. She
suggested that its "genius" is relationship --Completely
integrated within itself, so that relatedness can create
relationships. She also suggested that perhaps this
charism of relationship, this function of relationship is
the great treasure of the Family of the Sacred Heart.
- As Clare pointed
out…and let me quote…."little by little we came
to realise that we did not 'own' the charism, which
Madeline Sophie received and gave to us as a Society.
Rather, as the 1994 Chapter in speaking of spirituality
said: ' it is a gift to be shared, a treasure others help
us discover.'"
- Teresa had a special
understanding and love of the charism of the Family of
the Sacred Heart and she had accepted to be a speaker at
this conference. it is a matter of great sadness to me
that her untimely death from cancer last year has robbed
us of her presence.
- i am sure IF SHE WERE
HERE, She would have challenged us - as she did in Mexico
- when she asked if a civilisation of love could become
possible, as a result of the culture of the heart?
- could THERE arise an
economy of the heart? An economy with heart?
- Only a civilisation
that puts love first will be able to heal the world that
Clare so rightly describes as "sick" … a world that
will "perish" without major changes.
- There is no time for
powerlessness in the Family of the Sacred Heart. In my
heart, I know that we can make a difference.
- *************
- I'd like to take this
opportunity, clare, to thank you for allowing me to
represent AMASC at the General Chapter in france in 2000
and to share with you the findings of the in-depth survey
that I carried out, prior to joining you in France, of
each National Association … covering their aims
& goals, their current relationship with the Society
of the Sacred Heart, their interest in collaboration and
their visions for the future.
- I was pleased to be
able to report THEN that most members of AMASC are united
in their belief in the sacred heart philosophy and
values. Most National Associations are eager to
collaborate with the Society And to support your mission
of "education that transforms", both in schools as well
as in life-giving projects in third world countries.
- One of the aims of
AMASC is to to cooperate actively and effectively with
the Society of the Sacred Heart in its different tasks
and options.
- Today Clare, you have
invited us to join forces, make proposals and take action
with parents, friends and the Society -- in common
projects for the benefit of persons or groups who are the
victims of marginalisation or injustice. We accept that
challenge.
- Your mention of the
Society's decision to apply for NGO status with the
Department of Information at the United Nations, is an
exciting development and will provide huge opportunities
for AMASC and the Society to collaborate. You will be
able to link with our website to share accurate
information concerning vital issues involving children,
women, education, peace.
- These are issues that
are particularly relevant to the first aim of AMASC o to
be at the service of humanity for the construction of a
more just and more cohesive society with an increased
awareness of its social responsibilities and in the name
of a committed faith lived in its twofold personal and
community dimension".
- Another aim ofAMASC
is a commitment to o being present in international
organisations with a constant concern for discernment and
open-mindedness. We are present in WUCWO (the World Union
of Catholic Women's Organisations) and OMAEC (World
Association of Ex-Students of Catholic Schools) and now,
through the Society we will have this link with the
United Nations.
- Clare has told us
that collaboration is on the level of "being", not just
"doing". she spoke of the mutuality of
friendship.
- That goes without
saying. As I said earlier, Sacre Coeur tradition and
values are based on relationships. The remarkable thing
about our Sacre Coeur links is the ability to meet
another --- alumnae and rscj --- from any corner of the
world and almost instantly begin a conversation at a
depth of shared values.
- Through out
International Hospitality Network, alumnae have opened
their homes to provide hospitality to share their
culture, to share ideas, visions and hopes. And this
World Congress offers a wonderful opportunity for us to
make connections and allow friendships to form.
- Clare, you spoke of
the power of the individual. Collectively we can be such
a force for good and individually too we can make a
difference. I would like to end by sharing an incredible
story about the influence of one of our alumnae here in
Sydney - who is in our audience today.
- Ten years ago Sonya
Gidley-King, after a bout of cancer, decided she was
going to devote herself to doing something "really
useful". She was then in her 60s.
- She asked us all if
we had any scraps of leftover yarn so that she could knit
squares that she made into wraps … 'made with love
to give with love' to people in need and VICTIMS
OFnatural disasterS.
- She now runs an
organisation called "Wrap with Love". She has 20,000
'love wrap workers' and has made 61,000 wraps that have
been delivered to refugees around the world in such
places as Kosovo, Vietnam, rawanda, East Timor and
Afghanistan. she gives to people on all sides in
conflicts without political, racial or religious
discrimination.
- Not only is she
delivering the basic Christian message of Love to those
in deep need …. but she has also given meaning to
the lives of many lonely people in nursing homes who now
have a purpose in life as they busily crochet, weave or
knit "with love".
- Sonya has brought her
some of her 'Wraps with Love" to the Congress. And
tomorrow during Walkabout she would like to give each
international guest a wrap to take home to her country
'to give with love' to any needy person.
- Thank you Sonya for
your inspiration; for making a difference through
generosity and love.
- Clare, thank you too
for your inspiration and for sharing your vision of the
values and mission of the Society. We assure you of our
love and friendship and look forward to a deeper
collaboration with the Society and all constituencies of
the Family of the Sacred Heart.
- I am proud to be a
member of this special family. Our mutual education was
based on love. Love of God, deep respect and love of each
other. Each person is unique, has special characteristics
and gifts. Let us continually build on this knowledge and
experience …. to bring integrity, generosity and
hope to our world and to work together for justice and
peace
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