In an era characterised by unpredictability and instability, the question of where to find hope, and the crucial role it plays in leadership, becomes paramount. The recent Catholic Connect workshop hosted by Catholic Social Services Victoria and the Catholic Development Fund provided a crucial space for around 80 leaders within the Catholic community (from social services, health, education, parishes and diocesan agencies) to engage with this essential theme, Leading with hope in uncertain times-Exploring the role of leadership and formation.
Held in East Melbourne on 6 March, two days before International Women’s Day, the workshop featured the insightful perspectives of three distinguished and inspiring female leaders—the first female Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and chief of staff to the Archbishop of Melbourne, Annie Carrett, Sister of St Joseph, Author and Activist, Joan Healy AM, and the inaugural Federal Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Commissioner Micaela Cronin (pictured right).
Moderated by Executive Director of CSSV, Josh Lourensz (pictured), the panellists were invited to open the discussion by reflecting on the definition of hope. Sr Joan shared an analogy from Charles Péguy, describing hope as ‘a very little vulnerable girl with two big sisters, Faith and Love, who help her to understand that hope is what drives you to keep doing something you really believe in.’ This resonated with her experiences in diverse settings like Peru and Cambodia, emphasising that hope transcends religious labels and focuses on ‘having faith in something’, and ‘the big thing is what we do hope for’.
Ms Carrett viewed hope as ‘a concrete direction’, intertwined with her work and faith. She spoke of a ‘belief in God’s goodness’ and the inherent goodness in people, acting as ‘a basic and fundamental propellant’ to overcome challenges.
‘Hope is the basic and fundamental propellant that there will always be goodness no matter what the challenge is, you just have to find that pathway.’
Annie Carrett
Drawing on Hebrew terminology, she likened one aspect of hope to ‘a twisted rope’ stating ‘there is a tension that holds and keeps everything in place and guides and strengthens to take us forward.’ She highlighted the collective nature of hope, a deep belief in humanity and a goodness that needs to be actively worked for.
Commissioner Cronin echoed the ‘collective’ aspect of hope, acknowledging the influence of Sr Joan’s work, particularly at MacKillop Family Services (Sr Joan was one of the founding board members at MacKillop Family Services, and Commissioner Cronin led the organisation as CEO for 6 years). She emphasised that ‘holding on to hope is a responsibility, it’s active, there is energy in it’. Commissioner Cronin introduced the concept of a ‘collective vessel’ where ‘somebody carries hope for us, and sometimes we carry it for other people’. She differentiated hope from mere optimism, stating that ‘hope recognises the struggle, but there’s still space for things to be different’. She noted that sometimes, the leadership responsibility involves holding onto hope for those who have lost it, a practice she encouraged with her residential staff at MacKillop. ‘Sometimes their job was to hold onto hope for young people when they came in,’ she said.
The panellists were invited to share their own personal experiences of hope, illustrating hope’s ability to persevere and inspire even in adversity. Reflecting on the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Carrett observed, ‘Seeing the fruits of people being able to rise above what they thought their capabilities were and to start to look at new ways of bringing people together and to start to explore how they can communicate and what’s important’ provided valuable lessons—lessons, she hopes, that won’t be lost.
Sr Joan recounted a poignant story from her time working on the Thai-Cambodian border, where refugees from the Khmer Rouge were trapped in dire conditions. Amidst this ‘very dark place’, a young midwife took the initiative to create a birthing hut, offering privacy, cleanliness, and cultural sensitivity to mothers.
‘Despite the surrounding hardship and even the sounds of gunfire and shelling, laughter, care and respect filled the hut.’
Sr Joan Healy RSJ AM
Sr Joan described this as an act of hope rooted in ‘total respect for the women and the care for the babies’. The ingenuity shown, such as using silver foil from wine casks to create nests for premature babies, underscored the resilience and hope found even in the most desperate circumstances.
Commissioner Cronin shared the story of the Heritage Centre at MacKillop, run by Jenny Glare. This program aimed to connect individuals who grew up in institutional care with their past. She noted the commitment of Jenny and her team, to maintain hope for these individuals over many years. A day before the Heritage Centre opened to the public, former residents were invited to visit. She recounted the moving experience of an elderly man who, standing before an exhibit, shared that he could finally tell his family about his experiences because he could now show them this space. This act of disclosure, overcoming deep shame, illustrated the powerful impact of collective hope in creating a space for healing and reconciliation.
The panellists collectively emphasised the intrinsic link between hope and courage in effective leadership. Sr Joan reflected on the momentous and emotionally challenging decision to close residential institutions run by the Sisters of St Joseph, once considered the ‘pride of Melbourne’, with family-based care. Reflecting on the difficult discussions at the time, she said: ‘We just can’t do this anymore, but what’s it going to be like? The whole of Catholic Melbourne is supporting these homes; they are an icon. That was the most frightening thing for me, but we had to do it.’
‘This job requires more courage than I think I’ve needed in any role I’ve ever been in.’
Commissioner Micaela Cronin
Commissioner Cronin said, ‘I often reflect on this, and we were talking about the light and the shade earlier and the need to be able to bring to people’s attention to the shade and what’s happening. But at the same time, we need to hold the light.’ She highlighted the delicate balance required to acknowledge the often grim realities of domestic, family, and sexual violence while simultaneously maintaining a beacon of hope for change and accountability.
Ms Carrett shared her experiences of leading within the Catholic Church, particularly in navigating the complex and sensitive issues related to survivors of abuse. She emphasised the courage needed in ‘trying to find hope in those situations of bringing people into new places of hope. I often say to my staff that stories are important—everyone’s story is key. You have to be there to listen to people. You might be that small glimmer of hope for them in some manner.’
The discussion also explored practical strategies for fostering a culture deeply imbued with hope within organisations. Ms Carrett underscored the value of bringing leaders together, and creating safe spaces for dialogue and shared reflection, which can significantly nourish hope among leaders, and enable them to cultivate hope within their own teams. Commissioner Cronin stressed the critical role of transparency and integrity in building trust, asserting that ‘there needs to be integrity and honesty around the “shade” and people need to feel heard.’
Sr Joan advocated for humility and a willingness to acknowledge one’s limitations, suggesting she often calls to mind the words of St Mary MacKillop of the Cross, ‘I may well be mistaken’. ‘And if she could say it, surely I can, too.’ This humility allows for flexibility and a continuous search for better ways forward. Ms Carrett again highlighted the enduring impact of storytelling, stating, ‘we have to listen to and tell stories. I truly believe that’s where you combat this global narrative of negativity and depression. Even in hard times, hope is still a glimmer there.’
Concluding Reflections: Nurturing Hope for the Journey Ahead
The workshop culminated in an engaging Q&A session that delved into specific challenges, such as fostering hope in young people navigating a complex world, managing organisational change while maintaining morale, and identifying personal sources of sustenance for those engaged in demanding work. Sr Joan drew upon her extensive experience with youth movements like the Young Christian Workers (YCW) to emphasise the transformative power of collective action grounded in shared reflection. Ms Carrett emphasised the importance of actively seeking truth and beauty as a personal wellspring of hope, and she highlighted the value of spiritual conversations in fostering collective discernment. Commissioner Cronin underscored the ongoing need for reflection and the unique capacity of faith-based organisations to value ‘time to stop and reflect’, and to offer a profound sense of purpose and hope.
The Catholic Connect workshop served as a powerful reminder that hope is not a passive wish but an active force, requiring courage, nurtured through shared experiences, and sustained by integrity and open dialogue. The profound insights offered by Commissioner Micaela Cronin, Sr Joan Healy, and Annie Carrett provided attendees with not just theoretical frameworks but practical guidance for leading with hope in uncertain times, empowering them to cultivate this vital quality within themselves, their organisations, and the wider community.
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