Presentation Sisters

National Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH Meeting)

20-22 February 2012

Three Presentation Sisters were among thirty-one people from over seventeen religious orders along with several lay women who gathered in Templestowe, Victoria, to discuss ongoing action in work against human trafficking.

The Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to celebrate activities undertaken in the past year, to receive educational information and to plan national and state action for 2012.

Among the events to celebrate, a few were:

• Canberra visit to over 100 MPs, department personnel and embassy staff by 12 ACRATH members with significant results, e.g. ongoing funding for action to assist trafficked people.
• FAIRTRADE campaigns supported or initiated with anti-trafficking partners: FAIRTRADE chocolate, FAIRTRADE cotton from Uzbekistan, slave-free seafood from Thailand. The FAIRTRADE chocolate campaign in Australia has successfully persuaded Cadbury, Nestlé and Mars to begin importing ethically produced cocoa from West Africa.
• Over 30 awareness-raising presentations made each six months – leading to fundraising, volunteer registrations and the distribution of thousands of postcards promoting FAIRTRADE chocolate.
• ACRATH members accompanying six trafficked women in their journey of healing.

In the evening of day one after sharing information on the different types of presentations made to a wide variety of groups, e.g. University, Muslim girls, Co-educational students and teachers in schools, we viewed the movie Trafficked – The Reckoning and held a fair trade chocolate fondue party.

The next day began with a reflection followed by brainstorming in small groups on ACRATH’s strategic objectives for the next three years:

1. Community awareness-raising
2. Direct service
3. Networking to form alliances to achieve change through advocacy service.

The results of brainstorming were used later by State groups to plan action for 2012.

This was followed by a fascinating insight into the experience of trafficking in one woman’s story from the Philippines, as shared with us by Marietta (social worker from Cebu) and Angela (rsm). The resilience, courage and determination of “Daisy” to heal was truly inspirational.

Working groups gathered in the afternoon to discuss a variety of issues: CALD work, presentations, Fairtrade chocolate sales, compensation for victims of trafficking and involving young people in ACRATH.

The evening was given to listening to a panel speaking on international experiences; from PNG, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand to being effective at the UN.

On the final morning, business was dealt with: Maree Marsh (Brigidine) was elected Chairperson and Shane Wood was elected Treasurer. At the completion of business, State groups met to prioritise their strategic planning for 2012 and report back on these to the large group. The meeting concluded with a gentle reflection.

The benefit of attending the AGM is enormous: the commitment and focus of such a mixed group of like-minded people is inspirational and energising. The dedication and enthusiasm is truly encouraging as State groups continue working against human trafficking, especially in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.

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Saturday 18 February 2012 was such a joyful day when we rejoiced with three of our special women – Agatha Freeman (Diamond), Joan Cusack (Golden) and Cathy O’Keeffe (Silver). At the celebration after the liturgy, Kathleen Tynan, Congregation Leader, gave a brief insight into each of the sisters’ lives – she spoke of their commitment, adaptability, generosity, profound experience, sometimes difficulty and struggle and sometimes sheer happiness, and most obviously, wisdom in the choices and opportunities that have been open to Agatha, Joan and Cathy.

The liturgy was an expression of diamond, golden and silver lives we celebrated. The main celebrant, Fr Adrian Farrelly, picked up the theme of diamond, gold and silver so deftly and gave it both lightness and depth. The musicians and singers were a reminder of the talent that is in our midst. The sisters were very happy to have retired bishop, Ray Benjamin, con-celebrate. Both Fr Adrian and Bishop Ray are very good friends of the sisters.

During the liturgy, the three Jubilarians renewed their commitment to live a just and simple way of life as members of the Queensland congregation, to live in relationships that promote compassion to all, and to be open and attentive to the message of the gospel and to keep our service of others faithful to the example of Christ. All the sisters present then proclaimed together our Focus for Mission as Queensland Presentation Sisters.

The three Jubilarians were very pleased to have many family members, friends and their sisters of the Queensland congregation celebrating with them and were very grateful for the many blessings they received.

We give thanks to our God of abundant life and ask God to continue to nourish us, inspire us, and call us, that we might help to make God’s reign more of a reality in our day. (from the Prayer after Communion in the Jubilee Eucharist)
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