In March, Mr Francis Sullivan gave a keynote leadership address to one hundred and forty teachers and leaders from across the Diocese on the theme of leadership in these challenging times.
Mr Sullivan, who led the Truth, Justice and Healing Council and was the public face of the Catholic Church’s response to the Royal Commission in Australia said “the sexual abuse crisis has been devastating for Catholics, but has also given us a choice: to wallow in the faults of institutions and hierarchy or to step up and take responsibility for shaping our Catholic communities as they ought to be.”
His speech, entitled “Courage to Lead in Difficult Times,” was seen as an inspiration by those present. Mrs Barbara Yee, the Principal at St Gerard’s Carlingford said, “Francis has the ability to articulate what many of us are feeling.”
A series of searching questions were posed by Prof. Anthony Maher, who facilitated the ensuing Q&A, as well as the assembled teachers and leaders.
Hospitality students and staff from St Leo’s College Wahroonga worked together with personnel from the Catholic Schools Office to transform the Light of Christ Centre into a festive dining space for a delicious two-course meal.
The event, titled A Heart to Serve: The Joy of Leadership forms part of a program of leadership opportunities for teachers in Broken Bay Diocesan schools.
Mrs Virginia Ryan, Assistant Director: Evangelisation and Catholic Formation, said, “We are working to enhance the environment where our teachers and school leaders feel valued, supported and continually ‘inspired in their vocation as missionary disciples.”