International Women's Day (8 March), Laity of the Chevalier Family
Kerrie Wehbe
Photo, Government of WA
At the Assembly of the Synod on Synodality in Rome in October 2023, the participants recognized that “in Christ, women and men are clothed with the same baptismal dignity (Gal 3:28) and receive equally the variety of gifts of the Spirit.” This Synod, and our recent Synod in Australia, said it was urgent to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry.
Pope Francis reinforces this sentiment: “If we take to heart the importance of the future, if we dream of a future of peace, we need to give space to women. I like to think that if women could enjoy full equality of opportunity, they could contribute substantially to the necessary change towards a world of peace, inclusion, solidarity and integral sustainability.” (2023)
Members of the Chevalier Family have a very proud history as part of a force for change for the betterment of women and girls around the world through a wide variety of ministries, especially education, which is a foundational cornerstone of equity for women and girls. Taking Mary as a model, the MSC, OLSH Sisters and their partners-in-mission have always believed that women sow the seeds of the civilization of love with their high capacity for personal self-giving.
Prayer
God, whose love and goodness gather us in: we pray for women all over the world, especially those challenged by poverty and other injustice. Stir us to know women’s dignity, quieten us to listen to women’s voices. Awaken us to see women’s realities. Strengthen us to stand for women’s rights. Fill us with hope to make a better future together. Amen. (Caritas Australia)
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, entrusted with the formation of Jesus’ humanity, the first disciple of Jesus, and the first witness to his love, pray for us.
From the Media Blog of the Australian Bishops Conference:
International Women’s Day on March 8 is a time to take action to ensure women’s safety, inclusion and leadership.
Bishop Michael Morrissey, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s delegate for women, welcomed this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action”.
“The voice and leadership of women is critical to the Church’s future and integral to our journey together, as the final document of the Synod on Synodality reminds us,” Bishop Morrissey said.
“The Australian Plenary Council and the Synod highlighted the need to improve our efforts to invite and make space for women’s baptismal call of co-responsibility.
