A woman on Mission

03.12.2009

Sister Pauline Rae has concluded her formal involvement in the Columban Mission Institute after more than 30 years, interrupted only for six years when she was called to leadership in her own congregation, the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM).

She first came to St Columban’s College in early 1979 to be part of a new venture, the Pacific Mission Institute, a residential programme preparing Church personnel for cross-cultural mission in Australia, the Pacific and beyond. It also provided renewal and sabbatical courses for serving missionaries. She served as Deputy Director to Fr Cyril Hally until 1983 and had a significant role in developing the academic components of the programme, lecturing on Women’s Role in Church, Society and Religions and on Adult Developmental Psychology. She was also involved in mentoring some of the residents.

After completing her term as provincial, she became a staff member of the Pacific Mission Institute again in 1989. In addition to lecturing, she served as Registrar and Dean to the end of the residential programme in 1996.

In the early nineties the Institute changed its name to the Columban Mission Institute.  Pauline was twice Deputy Director, in which capacity she was often called upon as Acting Director when the Director was absent for significant periods on other Columban duties; she relinquished this role in August 2009.

Pauline was part of a more momentous change that took place at the Columban Mission Institute at the end of 1996.  The residential programme closed and the Institute formed into three Centres: the Centre for Communion with the Church in China continued Columban association with China; the Centre for Peace, Ecology and Justice promoted the connections between these three missionary priorities; and Sister Pauline Rae was the founding Coordinator of the Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations.

At that time, Islam and Muslims were not on the radar of Catholic or public interest. It was a completely new venture for all the staff who were involved, including Pauline herself.  However, she reached out to this unknown world with missionary enthusiasm and gradually built up contacts; she came to know Muslim individuals and organizations, particularly among the women, and to be known by them. Sister Kathleen Collins SSps joined the staff and consolidated the Centre, while Pauline continued the outreach. When the tragic events in the USA in September 2001 left people clamouring for explanation, the Centre came into its own as the place to seek information and resources, especially speakers.  Pauline spoke to many groups, often accompanied by one or other of her many Muslims contacts, and through that personal introduction was able to break down many of the stereotypes and prejudices that abounded.

Early on the Centre started to publish the newsletter Bridges to provide information, articles, resources, news items and notice of upcoming events. Pauline was the editor, seeking useful articles, providing commentary and encouragement, and promoting the newsletter to both Christians and Muslims. The forty-fifth issue was distributed to over a thousand subscribers. Bridges remains the flagship publication of the Centre.

As a natural flow-on from her academic teaching, Pauline developed contacts with women. She was a founding member of the Womens’ Interfaith Network (WIN), which continues to flourish, and has generated further circles as it expands.  

Pauline’s expertise in the area was acknowledged when she became a member of the Sydney Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, where her contacts and experience proved an invaluable resource. Her contribution was recognized when she was one of those invited to meet Pope Benedict at the interfaith gathering of leaders of different religions during World Youth Day in 2008.

Pauline was also part of other inter-faith and multi-faith organizations, being on the organizing committee of the International Abraham Conference, the Women of Faith Dinner, and the pre-Parliament event, to mention just a few.

When she started, Islam and interfaith relations were hardly known.  Now there is hardly a week passes when there is not one or more interfaith events in Sydney.  The flourishing number of these events can be attributed in part to the contacts that Pauline made, the exchanges she facilitated, and the example that she gave. May the seeds that she sowed continue to bear fruit long into the future.

The staff of the Columban Mission Institute, past and present, and in particular, of the Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, thank her for her enormous contribution over many years, and wish her all the best for the future.

Fr Patrick McInerney SSC is from the Christian/Muslim Relations Centre at the Columban Mission Institute.