The Madeleine Sophie Programme

Who are tomorrow’s leaders?

The Madeleine Sophie Programme was inspired by a similar award programme offered by the Sister of Mercy in Perth called the Catherine McCauley Award. Sr. Betty McMahon attended one of the live in week ends of this programme and asked permission to offer something along these lines in New South Wales.

We feel that Australia is hungry for models of leadership which encourages us to take responsibility for our lives and the world around us. We have wonderfully educated women who now in their professional field work without the support of a peer group with the same desire for leadership.

Our aim is to create a group of women of diverse ages, cultures, backgrounds and life experiences.
Desired characteristics include:

• Aged 25-45
• A desire to draw inspiration from the spirituality of the Society of the Scared Heart at a national and international level
• An enquiring mind and independent thinking.
• Energy and vitality.
• A spiritual life drawn from the Christian tradition.
• A commitment to the community and to the social fabric of Australian society.
• An interest and potential for leadership
• Mark the bi centenary of the Society
• To contribute to the life of the Church and to society in Australia
• To respond to the calls of the 2000 general chapter

• To respond to a perceived need of young women for opportunities for growth in spirituality and a spirit of service through leadership.

This programme was not an “Award” as Catherine McCauly’s but to be open to all applicants, therefore, not depending on nominations. Each participant provides a written application outlining studies and employment; national and international awareness what/who has been an inspiration for their lives which gives us a sense of how the programme will evolve for that particular year.

The Convenors of the programme will;

• Be responsible for the overall planning, development, budget and preparation;
• Be accountable to the Provincial Council and the Kerever Park Advisory Board.
• Communicate with the province to foster support for and an understanding of the programme.
• Define roles of mentors.
• Be responsible for convening the seminars and residential week ends and for inviting speakers.
• Be responsible for the publication of information material and publicising the programme.

The programme runs for one year with three intensive live-in week ends at Kerever Park (The Spirituality Centre of the Province) and on other months a session at Sancta Sophia college in Sydney from 6.30–9pm These sessions are designed to meet Participants’ interests (disabled, refugees sexuality).

Two important aspects of the programme are:

• Mentoring
• Community service

Each participant has a mentor with whom she meets regularly re: the programme and its impact on her life. She commits herself to sixty hours of community service during the programme and a convenor takes responsibility for this aspect.

Each weekend builds on this permanent agenda;

• Where we are now.
• Sophie’s story her educational vision, her experience of God, her leadership her relationships.
• Theological reflection, Jesus story.
• Methods of prayer and discernment.

And then there are special sessions such as:

• Grief and loss
• The Enneagram – ‘naming’ myself, my hopes and fears
• The Eucharist

The Madeleine Sophie Programme

Inaugurated in 2001 to mark the Bicentenary of the Society this ministry caters for young women who are struggling to find God and a purpose in their busy lives.

It is aimed at promoting leaders in our society; leaders who bring feminine values to the fore and who are passionate about justice and peace in our world.

Whilst Madeleine Sophie answered to a crying need in her time i.e. the education of girls, so too is this programme answering a need within Australia.

It has been gratefully accepted as a positive initiative by the groups of young women who have completed the programme.

The programme attracts professional women from a wide variety of careers.

Society of the Sacred Heart ANZ