The Mission of the Catholic Leadership Foundation

Virginia Ryan, Chief Executive Officer

Several years ago I visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, the highlight of which was to view the Communion of Saints tapestries created by artist John Nava. Twenty-five fresco-like tapestries depict 135 saints and blessed from around the world. Twelve untitled figures, including children of all ages, represent the many anonymous holy people in our midst. In wanting the figures to look like people, Nava did not use a highly stylised form to depict the saints, for his desire was that people identify and see that "a saint could look like me."

We remember with gratitude those who worked tirelessly, carved a path and built a strong Catholic system in education, health, social care, parish ministry and governance. They met obstacles, uncertainty and at times indifference to their mission. We recognise in them a quickening of the holiness to which we are all called through Baptism.

The mission of the Catholic Leadership Foundation, made possible by the generosity of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, is the provision of formation for the next generation of lay leaders. It is the next generation of faithful leaders who, embracing the challenges and opportunities of leadership, will shape the future of our Church and show us the way to live out our Baptismal call as missionary disciples. 

Professor Tomas Halik, priest, philosopher, theologian and scholar, in his recent book, The Afternoon of Christianity - The Courage to Change, drew a connection with Luke 5:4-11, the Gospel passage in which the disciples are struggling to catch fish: 

“The fishermen were very tired and told Jesus, ‘We have worked all night and we caught nothing. We have empty hands.’ I think many Christians have a similar feeling today, that the churches are half empty, and the seminaries and monasteries too. But Jesus said to the fishermen: ‘Try again. Go to the depths.’” I think that is a challenge for us too, to try again, to not repeat our old mistakes, but go to the depths.”    

In the provision of formation of lay people, especially lay leaders, the Foundation will echo the challenge of Jesus to Peter, to try again and go into the deep. 

Mrs Virginia Ryan
Chief Executive Officer