Sue Richardson PBVM, former director of Heart of Life, returning to Lismore.
End of an era, so to speak.
We invited Sue to write some words about this change for her.
GOODBYE MELBOURNE
Time for me to say goodbye to Melbourne after 41 years! That is with the exception of six years when I was the elected leader of the Lismore Presentation Sisters congregation.
So how did I get to come to Melbourne in Victoria from Lismore in northern NSW? It was in the early 1980s that the five autonomous Presentation Congregations decided to become what they called a Society while keeping their autonomy. The result of this was to establish a central noviciate based in Melbourne. This was because of the opportunities available in Melbourne to meet up with others in Formation and to attend YTU for their theological studies. A year after the central noviciate was established, I was commissioned to take on the role as Formation Director of both novices and those preparing for their final profession of vows.
Prior to this I had been studying in the USA and had met Walter Downs MSC. He encouraged me to contact Douglas Park when I returned to Australia and mentioned to the Retreat Team that he recommend me to join their team. He also introduced me to Brian Gallagher MSC, a friend of his. This was providential, because it coincided with the beginning of the formation programme for spiritual directors which was initially a part-time programme based at Croydon.
From this developed Heart of Life, a spirituality centre which not only focused on the formation of spiritual directors, but the formation of those in pastoral ministry. My term as Formation Director for Presentation Society ended after six years. This meant I could now minister full-time at Heart of Life both as spiritual director and as a pastoral supervisor. Seminars on different aspects of spirituality; discernment, psychological aspects of human development, the mystics, etc. were also a delight to offer. Twice I was appointed director of the Centre. On completing my second term, I was invited to take on the ministry of chaplain at YTU. As well I was invited by Melbourne’s Archbishop, Denis Hart, to be the Vicar for Religious in the archdiocese and to be pastoral supervisor for ordained priests. I accepted both part-time roles happily and enjoyed them immensely.
Memories of the building up of Heart of Life
After completing these appointments it was time to return to Lismore as the Congregation faces end-times. At our recent chapter I was elected onto the Leadership team to assist in what this phase of Nano Nagle’s charism will require. So it is goodbye Melbourne and thank you for all you’ve given me over the past 41 years.
