Bringing out the best in Catholic women

A program aimed at supporting, encouraging and bringing out the best in Catholic women will be launched in Canberra on International Women’s Day.

The National Catholic Women’s Mentoring Program, run by volunteers through the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s National Office for the Participation of Women, is inspired by the words of St Catherine of Siena: “Be who God wants you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Christine Pace, the 34-year-old woman who had the original idea for the mentoring initiative, says the free program can help women understand the contribution they are making and can make into the future.

“Sometimes we need others to recognise our potential in order for us to see it for ourselves,” Ms Pace said.

“Mentoring is the perfect instrument to provide this opportunity.”

Andrea Dean, director of the Office for the Participation of Women, concurs.

“In a time when the turmoil caused by the revelations of the Catholic Church’s inadequate response to the sexual abuse of children is profound, we can focus on fostering the potential of women so that they can take their place in helping create the Church of the future,” she said.

Merici College, a school committed to the transformative education of girls, will host the Canberra launch at 6pm on March 8. It is also one of the partners for the event.

Special guests will come from the fields of law, health, education and politics. All women who appreciate the support and friendship of other women are encouraged to attend and to bring a friend, daughter, sister or mother.

Tickets are available at www.catholicwomensmentoring.org.au
or by calling (02) 6201 9861.