Associates and Scripture Group at Waratah

The notion of ‘charism’ is far from new and it’s derived from the term charis, meaning grace.

I feel that in more recent years people’s understanding of charism has been renewed.  For example, while members of religious congregations have less direct involvement in schools, I am aware of a number of new schools which have sought to echo the charism of a congregation that is part of the local story.

The charism of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, has been part of my life for almost half a century, since attending a Dominican secondary school.  I’ve revived my appreciation of all things Dominican through belonging to a group of Dominican Associates.  It’s simply a monthly gathering of women and men who have an association with the congregation.  Many of us were educated by the Sisters, and/or taught with them; others have lived in parishes where Sisters worked, and some have simply encountered the Dominican way and wished to know more.

While ‘the Doms’ are our point of connection, our conversations, reading material, prayers and concerns belong to a broad church.  We celebrate the feasts of Dominic and Catherine of Siena, and of course there’s some Advent cheer.

We’ve often drawn from the wisdom of prolific writer and former Master General, Timothy Radcliffe.

We’ve read and been encouraged by the words of Pope Francis, a Jesuit.

We’ve read and discussed the words of Joan Chittister, a Benedictine, on women in the gospels.

We’ve enjoyed the insights of Patty Fawkner, congregational leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

When there were silent local protests against the unjust treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, we were there.

We have supported Kopanang Community Trust, an initiative for women who need a safe place.

Currently we’re supporting a school in the Solomon Islands that has many needs in terms of equipment and resources.

And in the midst of it all, of course, we’ve shared our own prayers, stories, hopes, dreams, frustrations, griefs and joys.

I believe the combination of the charisma of the founder, the shared heritage of struggle and story, the influence of the wisdom figures and the desire both to preserve and enliven the legacy all contribute to our wish to come together as Dominicans.

Long may it be so!

Tracey Edstein