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The Centre's spirituality and other programs | Madeleine Sophie Barat Program

Madeleine Sophie Barat program

A Programme developing women in Faith, Leadership
and Service.

Looking for like-minded women today with

• An interest in developing their sense of personal spirituality
• An enquiring mind
• A vision of their future
• Energy and vitality
• Potential for leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to the community

This programme is important as Australia has not yet developed
a culture which sufficiently recognises women's strengths
as leaders, partners and stewards of our society.

The program is for women aged 25 to 45. It is an evolving program. It has three focal points:

• Spirituality
• Leadership
• Service

Those joining the program commit themselves for one year to:

• Come to the program days and evenings
• Undertake community service
• Be part of a mentor program.

The program offers a rich and diverse opportunity enabling participants "to become aware of their reality, recognise their dignity, discover their potential and be formed as leaders" with the capacity for interdependence, solidarity and responsibility. (Society of the Sacred Heart General Chapter 2000)

The program

During 2008 the program includes:

• A live in week end at Kerever Park to begin the program (8-10 Feb)
• Two fruther live in week-ends (6-8 Jun and 7 -9 Nov)
• 6.30pm to 9.30pm evening meetings (13 Mar, 24 Apr, 22 May, 24 Jul, 21 Aug, 18 Sept) at Sancta Sophia College, Missenden Rd Camperdown.

At the live in week ends we explore such topics as discernment, leadership, contemporary theology and theological reflection. Other elements of the programme include mentoring and service.

Community service

Each particpant takes part in community service.

Mentoring

There is a pool of mentors. Mentors usually meet with their mentee each 6 weeks (usually after each weekend).

Convenors

The program convenors include:

• Andrea Dean
• Sally Liddy
• Wendy Mason
• Betty McMahon rscj
• Sue Rae
• Mary Shanahan rscj
• Philomene Tiernan rscj

Cost

The cost of the program is $500 (including live-in weekends). Part of full scholarship is available on a need basis.

Expression of interest

If you wish to receive an application form send this Expression of interest form (PDF) to Sr Betty McMahon at Kerever Park Spirituality Centre

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

St. Madeleine Sophie was born in Joigny, France on December 12, 1779. She showed unusual exuberance of life, great judgment and common sense as well as a dedication to God. Madeleine Sophie went to Paris for further her education and on November 21, 1800 she and three other young women pronounced their consecration and this marked the foundation of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

In 1802 this group of women went to Amiens and Madeleine Sophie became their superior, as well as the director of a school for girls. Later in Grenoble, a second house of the Society of the Sacred Heart was founded.

Mother Barat labored for over sixty years to establ;ish Catholic schools and to form her nuns. She sought to educate the children of the poor and court in post-revolutionary France.

On May 25, 1865, the Feast of the Ascension, Madeleine Sophie Barat died at the age of 85. She was beatified in 1908 and canonised in 1925.