LATEST NEWS

CRMV FORMATION NETWORK MEETING

On the 27^th May, DEA Trustee Julianna Drobik OP and DEA Director of Mission and Formation  attended the CRMV Formation Network meeting.  CRMV Ltd represents the interests of Catholic schools in Victoria which historically were owned and governed by Congregations or Religious Institutes.

CRMV acts as a consultative forum for the debate of issues related to Catholic education, particularly as these pertain to Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person (RI/MPJP) schools. The formation Network has two face-2-face meetings per year in Melbourne. Formation and sharing at the meetings are led by different members of the group and focuses on formation for mission and governance.

 

DEA MISSION LEADERS GATHERING

The second meeting of the year for DEA Mission Leaders was held at Rosary Lodge, Strathfield on the 14^th May. All Mission Leaders were in attendance with two additional mission team members joining the group from Cabra Dominican College and Santa Sabina College.

In response to feedback from the Mission Leaders at their online meeting in term 1, the day explored the theme of Dominican Difference and was facilitated by DEA Director of Mission and Formation, Jenni Hickson. Some of the highlights of the day included input from two local Dominican sisters. Sr Jill Shirvington OP shared her experiences of Spiritual practices that ground leadership, particularly in the Dominican tradition and Sr Elizabeth Hellwig OP, provided input on Shaping Catholic culture and identity in the Dominican tradition. There were also opportunities for prayer and reflection throughout the day. The day was a wonderful opportunity to build connections across the DEA Ministries and share in the life of Santa Sabina College with College Principal, Paulina Skerman visiting the group after lunch.

The next DEA Mission Leader gathering will take place online in Term 3.

 WELCOME POPE LEO: A JOYFUL MOMENT FOR THE DOMINICAN FAMILY

Dominican Education Australia joins with the wider Church in joyfully welcoming His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the newly elected Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of Catholics around the world.

We offer our prayers of thanksgiving for Pope Leo’s election and entrust his papacy to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the spirit of St Dominic de Guzman, we are inspired by his call to truth, compassion, and service, and we look forward to the ways in which Pope Leo will enter into dialogue, and shepherd the Church into a new chapter of unity, justice and hope.

We pray that Pope Leo’s leadership will reflect the wisdom and courage of his namesake, and that his voice will be a beacon of Gospel values in a rapidly changing world.

Welcome, Pope Leo – with hearts full of faith, we walk with you.

 

DEA INAUGURAL PILGRIMAGE – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST DOMINIC

At the beginning of April, 22 pilgrims set off on the inaugural DEA pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St Dominic.

Pilgrims came from a variety of ministries within the Dominican Family in both Australia and the Solomon Islands. Some of these ministries included, Cabra Dominican College, Santa Sabina College, St Lucy’s School, Blackfriars Priory School Adelaide and DEA staff. The pilgrimage was led by Eileen Young (DEA Trustee Chair 2019-2025, Rob Napoli (DEA, CEO) and Sr Julianna Drobik OP (DEA Trustee). Read More

 

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF NEW DEA CHAIR

Eileen Young has now finished her term as a DEA Trustee, effective 31 March 2025, a position she has held since 2016, including two terms as Chair of the Board of Trustees. Eileen has generously contributed to the shaping of DEA and to its growth and development.

We would like to announce the appointment of Mr Anthony (Tony) O’Byrne as DEA Chair. Tony was appointed Chair by the DEA Sponsors Council, effective 1 April 2025.  Tony has been a DEA Trustee since 2020 and more recently Deputy Chair.

The Sponsors and Trustees gathered to farewell Eileen in Sydney earlier in March. The DEA Ministry Board Chairs and Principals will have an opportunity to farewell Eileen in May. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

You can read Eileen’s final Newsletter article, and further about Tony here.

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