A new National Council has been elected by Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) as 140 leaders of Religious Congregations gathered this week at Parramatta, NSW for the 2023 CRA National Assembly (31 July to 3 August).
2023-24 CRA National Council
Back row, left to right: Alan Gibson CM; Asaeli Rass SVD; Peter Jones OSA; and Philip Watkins SSS.
Front row, left to right: Monica Cavanagh RSJ; Philippa Murphy FDNSC; Mary-Clare Holland OP; and Gerard Brady CFC.
Council Members not photographed: Barbara Brown-Graham FCJ; Melissa Dwyer FdCC; Christian Fini OMI; George Kolodziej SDS; and Mary Ryan OP.
The Assembly theme, ‘Daring to Dream’, nourished Religious in their Gospel dreaming and whole heartedness for Christ and the Church. The Assembly was enlivened through a series of engaging speakers and dynamic discussions in the context of discerning a lifegiving, synodal path in a complex and often polarised society. In this way, the Assembly strengthened a spirit of prophetic hope.
Peter Jones OSA continues in his role as President, while two new Religious Institute Leaders joined the CRA Council:
• Christian Fini OMI, Provincial, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
• George Kolodziej SDS, Leader, Salvatorian Fathers
They join the eleven continuing Council members and President:
• Peter Jones OSA, Prior Provincial, Augustinians
• Philip Watkins SSS, Provincial, Blessed Sacrament Fathers
• Gerard Brady CFC, Province Leader, Christian Brothers – Oceania Province
• Philippa Murphy FDNSC, Provincial Leader, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
• Asaeli Rass SVD, Provincial, Divine Word Missionaries
• Mary Ryan OP, Prioress, Dominican Sisters of Western Australia
• Monica Cavanagh RSJ, Congregational Leader, Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart
• Mary-Clare Holland OP, Prioress, Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands
• Barbara Brown-Graham FCJ, Area Leader, Australia, Faithful Companions of Jesus
• Melissa Dwyer FdCC, Delegation Leader, Canossian Daughters of Charity
• Alan Gibson CM, Provincial, Vincentians
Members retiring from Council were warmly thanked for their diverse and compassionate service:
• Tom McDonough CP, Provincial, Passionist Fathers
• Paul O’Keeffe FSP, Province Leader, Patrician Brothers
• Catherine Reuter RSM, Congregational Leader, Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane
Continuing CRA President, Peter Jones OSA commented, “It is a wonderful time for us as CRA Councillors to serve the Church in the context of Pope Francis’ pastoral vision for synodality. There is much that we ‘do’ as Religious Leaders in Australia, however at the heart of our vocation is our life of relationship with God and one another. I warmly welcome our new Councillors as together we ‘walk with’ our communities and the Church at large.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Sylvia MacRitchie-Hook | M: 0410 644 356 | E: comms@catholicreligious.org.au