Sister Carmel Clarke RSJ understands the frustrations some Catholic women feel in the face of what can still seem to some like a male-dominated Church – she sometimes feels those same frustrations, too.
 
As pastoral director of the Kangaroo Island parish, Sr Carmel also knows how a lack of priests can impact on the lives of Catholics. She took on the job in 1999 when KI – which has a small congregation of 50 or 60 regular Mass-goers – lost its last parish priest.

The island, under the care of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, still has a Mass every fortnight or at least once a month. On Sundays when there is no priest, there is a lay-led Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion.

In between Masses, Sr Carmel – who spends about two weeks of every month on the island – does everything she can to meet the pastoral and sacramental needs of the Catholic community.

But her ministry has its boundaries, and although she can also baptise and preside over funeral liturgies she cannot say Mass, hear confessions or anoint the sick.

“I do understand the frustrations,” Sr Carmel says. “For example, I wish I could anoint people. But I can’t. So I do what I can do – take them communion, pray with them, be with them.

“Sure, I find the job challenging. But the people are wonderful; they have accepted me.”
Sr Carmel believes the Ministry Formation Program currently offered in the archdiocese provides excellent opportunities for women to begin a life in ministry.

The four-year, half-time course run at the Catholic Theological College by Sister Patricia Fox RSM, in collaboration with archdiocesan director of ministry formation Father Paul Cashen msc, prepares participants for appointment to ecclesial ministries within the archdiocese.

These include the permanent diaconate, pastoral directors and associates, chaplains, administrators within Catholic institutions and parish ministers.

The course reflects a continuing commitment to shared formation experiences leading to collaborative ministry, for men and women.

Archdiocesan chancellor Jane Swift sees opportunities for women at all levels of Church life. “It is exciting to be part of an archdiocese which has a strong commitment to collaboration between men and women in a variety of aspects of the life of the Church – from the Ministry Formation Program through to the diocesan leadership team,” she says.

New chancellor Cathy Whewell adds: “Women are very strongly represented in the Church at the parish level, in schools and in other areas.

“Women contribute a lot in the service of the Church and it’s wonderful if they come forward to take leadership roles and it’s important to encourage them to do so.”

For Sr Carmel, the only female pastoral director in the archdiocese until the recent appointment of Anne McGlade, a sense of vocation is essential.

“If women feel that call to ministry, they should go for it,” she says. “Our priests are getting fewer in numbers and a lot is expected of them. If we had a pastoral director in some parishes it would relieve the priests of a lot of their burdens.

“The time has come to look at having more women in pastoral director and leadership roles.”

Mary Bryant, a pastoral associate in the Para Hills/Modbury parish, agrees that there are options for women to pursue a life in ministry.

“Of course, I’ve heard some women speak out about the situation,” she says. “But I think there are opportunities there.”

Mary started her journey towards becoming a pastoral associate by volunteering in her parish as a reader and Eucharistic minister.

“I felt called to be part of the Church at that level,” she says. “When I got this job at Modbury I realised this is what I’m called to do. I feel fulfilled in my ministry.”

Sr Carmel, too, has found satisfaction and joy.

“For me it has just been a wonderful experience to be with the people, to walk their journey with them and to be loved by them,” she says.

o For further information or enquiries about the Ministry Formation Program phone Sr Pat Fox on 08 8416 8463 or email pat.fox@flinders.edu.au.