31st March 2018
Name: Rachel McLean
Born: Mudgee
Lives: Sydney
Snapshot of daily life: I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, an educator, a learner and an avid traveller. My family is central to who I am and why I am. My 9 siblings are profoundly grateful for the love and opportunities our parents, Anne and David gave us as we grew up in Mudgee and then spread our wings to study around Australia. Today we regularly gather as an immediate family of 28 (including partners, nieces and nephews) to share meals, holidays and all that life has to offer.
Part of Canice’s since: I came to know about St Canice’s in 2000 when I was involved with the annual Good Samaritan Outreach Project that brought together Good Samaritan schools from around Australia to learn about disadvantage, stewardship and subsidiarity. An annual highlight was the pilgrimage from Glebe to St Canice’s to hear the stories of Elizabeth and Fr Steve and meet the people who accessed the amazing outreach services of this community.
Where can we find you at St Canice’s: Fast forward 10 years and I found myself working as Director of Faith Formation and Mission at St Vincent’s college…I was home!
What keeps you coming to St Canices?
Ignatian spirituality is my way of proceeding and was introduced to me by a Josephite nun as I left on a 16-month missionary posting to a Christian Brother community in Arusha Tanzania in 2007. It was while I was living in community at Arusha that I came to understand the great gifts that Ignatian Spirituality can bring to your life, particularly through the practise of a Daily Examen. Over the last 8 years I have fostered my love of and understanding of Ignatian spirituality and fervently pursued social justice experiences for students and staff at the St Vincent’s College.
While on retreat with Caroline Coggins, I discerned that I should nominate for the role of Parish Pastoral Council because I thought I had something to give. My love of the First Spiritual Exercises, joy of creating and celebrating liturgy, passion for justice and need for community are all gifts that I would like to lay at the service of my Parish.
I look forward to meeting more of you, hearing your stories and celebrating your joys. This could be a daunting time to be a Catholic…I see it as an exciting time to be a woman of faith on a quest to know her God.
