During the first meeting of the year, the National Council of Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) elected a new Vice President (VP), Mary-Clare Holland OP, to join the re-elected President, Peter Carroll FMS and ongoing Executive Member, Tom McDonough CP.
Mary-Clare Holland OP, Vice President CRA
Mary-Clare has been the Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands since 2017 and a member of the CRA Council for four years. Born in Hobart, she started her ministry in teaching but changed direction after 23 years to follow her passion for pastoral care. Mary-Clare celebrated her Golden Jubilee in December 2020 and brings a commitment to collaboration, rich pastoral experience and broad leadership skills to her new role as VP of CRA.
“I look forward to working alongside Peter Carroll, Tom McDonough, Council Members and the Secretariat to bring alive the vision and mission of CRA and to enhance the collective voice of Religious across the Church and society, especially considering the new Strategic Priorities set for the next few years.”
In 2021, Council discerned the strategic priorities for CRA over the next three years and this was presented during the 2021 National Assembly in November and included in the 2021 Annual Report. Five key areas of focus were identified: Animation; Professional Services; Advocacy and Leadership; Strategic Collaboration; and Governance and Operational Efficiencies.
“Through these key priorities, CRA can fulfil its mission and vision to address issues of importance to religious, to the Church and to society through the lens of the Gospel message,” said Anne Walker, National Executive Director.
“CRA’s priorities are reflected through our work and our strategic collaborations, advocacy, publications, committees, and representatives on external bodies,” she added.
CRA President, Peter Carroll FMS said, “Identifying CRA’s Strategic Priorities has been a significant development. Now, with our new Council elected and our VP and Executive in place, we look forward to implementing and furthering our goals during the next few years.”
“I’m grateful to Patty Fawkner who has been the VP for the past two years and has proven to be a wise counsellor and generous collaborator. Thankfully, she remains on Council, where her insights and sound judgement continue to be sought.
"It’s a privilege to be working with Mary-Clare and Tom on the Executive. Their considered approach to representing the many diverse members of CRA, their commitment to collaborative discernment and their breadth of experience will help enrich the work of CRA and the life of the Church at this time," said Br Peter.
L to R: Tom McDonough CP (Executive), Mary-Clare Holland OP (Vice President), Peter Carroll FMS (President) and Anne Walker (National Executive Director)
Read CRA’s Strategic Priorities on the website or download the PDF.
Download this media release as a PDF.
Read the media release about CRA’s new National Council.
Media Enquiries:
Sylvia MacRitchie-Hook E: comms@catholicreligious.org.au | M: 0410 644 356