Talking Transformative Love: Recent Episodes
Loreto Australia & South East Asia
Talking Transformative Love is a podcast hosted by Loreto Novice, Jwan Kada. Featuring women and men from all aspects of the Mary Ward family, the series covers everything from faith and formation and the role of vocation and mission in our modern times to going where the need is greatest and the fight against injustice, and of course, our fearless foundress, Mary Ward.
Felicity is the Assistant Principal of Faith and Identity at Loreto College, Ballarat. Originally from North East Victoria, Felicity spent time living and teaching overseas before making her home in Ballarat with her husband Gerard and two children Jemima and Joseph. Felicity has completed her Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching and a Masters in Education Leadership, further study is on the horizon. Felicity is the beneficiary and appreciative of an education from the FCJ, Brigidine and Mercy sisters who were role models of strong, intelligent and determined women. She uses this inspiration in her role at Loreto College Ballarat with the guidance of Mary Ward and Gonzaga Barry and the many good people that have and continue to form the Loreto charism.
Michelle is the Director of Mission and Student Leadership at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak. She is originally from Ballarat and a proud past pupil of Loreto College. Michelle's qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Student Wellbeing from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Education and Masters of Leadership from ACU. Michelle teaches Australian Politics and Religious Education at Loreto Toorak alongside her school leadership role. She is deeply committed to the Mary Ward network in Australia and globally and to the values and formation at the heart of Loreto education.
Libby is the former Director of Faith and Identity at Loreto Normanhurst and has worked in education for over 30 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education and shortly after completed her Master in Theological Studies. Her strong commitment to girls' education has focused on Justice within the Ignatian paradigm and has been evident throughout her career. Libby has extensive experience in teaching roles across various subject areas, most notably Religious Education. She has taken lead roles in programme development, policy writing, professional review and development and has a comprehensive understanding of pedagogy and curriculum design in religious studies.
Roger was raised on a wheat farm in the Wimmera region of Victoria. He attended various Catholic schools in the area until he went to boarding school at St Patrick‘s College, Ballarat. After completing Yr. 12 he attended Aquinas College, Ballarat (now ACU- Ballarat) to study for a Bachelor of Education. Having completed his Bachelor he took up his first teaching position at Loreto College (Ballarat) where he taught for 41 years before he retired at the conclusion of the 2022 school year. Roger and his wife Sally now intend to enjoy a good deal of travel internationally and in Australia.
Casey Dodd was the 2021 College Co-Captain at Loreto Ballarat and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at ACU. With gratitude and passion, Casey shares how her Loreto education has shaped the young woman she is today and hopes to be in the future. She explores how growing up surrounded by love and opportunities has instilled a desire to help others through her studies, work, volunteering and life.
Mary Ryllis Clark is a writer and historian who moved to Melbourne from the UK in 1974. She taught European History at Loreto Mandeville Hall in 1975 before returning to England for three years. During that time she published her first book, Crown of a Thousand Years. She and her family came back to Melbourne in 1980 and have lived here ever since. Mary went back to teaching at Mandeville Hall before going back to writing, her first love. She is the author of several books including; In Trust: The First Forty Years of the National Trust in Victoria 1956-1996, Timbertop – Celebrating 50 Years and Loreto in Australia. From 1992 to 2005 she wrote ‘Historic Victoria’ - a fortnightly column in The Age. Her latest book is Turning Points: 25 Remarkable Australians and the Moments that Changed Their Lives. Mary lives in a converted factory in Fitzroy and has three children, Nico, Margery and Quentin.
Suzanne O’Connor taught English for fifty years before retiring to teach English in person, and later to Zoom teach English to students in Ukraine. In her spare time, she reads and talks to her rescue cat, Thelma-Louise.
In this episode, Suzanne shares her experience growing up in a mixed-religion marriage with a Protestant mother and a Catholic father. The discussion revolves around the impact of these diverse faiths on Suzanne's childhood and how it shaped her beliefs and philosophy.
Margaret Sculley has been a Loreto Sister for the past sixty-five years. Margaret grew up in Ballarat, Victoria and from an early age became familiar with Mary Ward the foundress of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The Loreto Sisters). Following the Novitiate in Normanhurst NSW Margaret began a long time of teaching both in Secondary and Primary Schools, then moved into leadership roles both in the schools and in the Loreto community. For some years Margaret worked in Pastoral Care at the Brisbane General Hospital. Margaret remains very grateful for her gift of faith that has strengthened her, and her trust in God firstly encouraged by her parents' example and then fostered by her many friends along the journey.
Currently studying in Melbourne, Harper shares insights into her upbringing, shaped by a philosophy of kindness and hard work instilled by her family and community.
From a small Catholic school in Sydney to an international school in Singapore, she reflects on how diverse experiences have moulded her into a person who values connection and hard work.
Harper emphasises the importance of being kind to others, a principle she carried into her time at Loreto, where she not only excelled academically but actively engaged in philanthropy and charity work.
The episode explores the deep generational connection Harper's family has with Loreto, portraying it not just as a school but as a lifelong community that has influenced her life since day one.
Helen Thomas is currently the Director of Mission at Loreto Kirribilli. Her qualifications include; Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Education and Masters in Education from Sydney University and a Masters of Arts (Theological Studies) from the Catholic Institute of Sydney. Helen has been a Catholic educator for over 35 years, working in Independent and Catholic Systemic schools across Sydney. She is married and has two daughters.
Claire Renkin has been teaching art history and spirituality at Yarra Theological Union (YTU) since 2001. Her teaching areas include the art and architecture of the Early Christians and Byzantium, and the art and spirituality of the late Middle Ages. In addition to these topics, Claire co-teaches units on death, dying and bereavement in art and spirituality, and the history of Mary in the Christian tradition.
In addition to teaching at YTU, she lectures regularly throughout Australia on the intersection of visual art, theology and spirituality. Her research and publications focus on the role of gender and devotion in depictions of female sanctity in European art from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period, c. 1350-1650. Claire together with Sr Angela Slattery ibvm is researching a little-known cycle of fifty paintings of the life of Mary Ward 1585-1645, the founder of the Institute of the Virgin Mary also known as Loretos.
Margaret Callaghan is a Loreto Sister with a rich background in education. Margaret's teaching journey spans years of experience in English and History across Loreto schools in Australia, including roles as the Religious Education Coordinator in three senior schools. After seven years at the province office, she embarked on a transformative 14-year adventure in Vietnam, working alongside young sisters. Don't miss this episode with Sr Margaret Callaghan ibvm, whose vision of God is that of love and friendship.
Peter Foord has been teaching for 41 years at Loreto College Ballarat in the areas of Religious Education, Science, Biology and Philosophy. He has held multiple leadership positions, however, his first love is being in the classroom. He has thrived on creating and trialling new curriculum approaches over the course of his career. He is passionate about retreat experiences and has facilitated retreats at all year levels. Starting a lunchtime philosophy group in 2003, he has now facilitated this group called Socrates Cafe for 20 years, loving the thousands of conversations he has been part of. Recreationally, Peter enjoys cycling, music, and exploring nature.
Eliza Galimberti was Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak's 2021 School Captain. Eliza explores her identity as a first-generation Australian and how being a ‘Loreto girl’ has shaped her belief system and provided her with a lifelong community. Now having graduated, Eliza explores how she continues to be a “seeker of truth” and a “doer of justice” by using her voice to help others.
Jason Currao is the acting Director of Faith and Identity at Loreto Normanhurst. Jason grew up living in the dichotomous suburbs of Green Acre in Western Sydney, where many cultures combine and often clash, to the anglocentric suburbs of "the Shire" in South Sydney. Now, finding himself in the eclectic inner city suburb of Darlington, Jason explores how these experiences have led him to find comfort in the church community and a profound connection with people's stories.
Stephanie (Steph) Lorenzo is a Loreto Normanhurst past pupil and Head of Community Engagement at Hireup. In her early 20s, she started a charity, 'Project Futures', from her bedroom after reading about the stark realities of sexual slavery in Cambodia. In this episode, Steph reflects on how her Loreto experience and friendships empowered her to become a successful entrepreneur and the leader she is today.
Hannah George, Executive Officer of Mary Ward International Australia, talks about the events and influences that have shaped her passion for social justice and what drives her in her role at MWIA.
Having completed a degree in microbiology at the University of Natural Sciences in Vietnam, Pham Thao Trang turned her gaze to a teaching Degree, thus combining her passions for ecology, social justice and helping young people. Having worked extensively as a social worker and educator in the Department of Community and Human Development, Trang is currently undertaking studies in Spiritual Direction at the Heart of Life Centre in Melbourne.
The second of our Mary Ward men is Damian Whelan, Head of Liturgy at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak. With a music and teaching career at Mandeville Hall spanning almost 40 years, in this episode of Talking Transformative Love, Damian discusses his faith and formation and how the Loreto Sisters and women leaders of Mandeville Hall have shaped his life.
"A Loreto through and through", Sr Sandra Perrett talks about the vibrant church she was drawn to, where Jesus and the Holy Spirit can be found in the world around her .... and why salted caramel is the best ice-cream flavour!
Sr Rachel McLoughlin ibvm is a past student of Loreto College Marryatville. Going on to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy and a Masters in Theology, Rachel is passionate about both physical and spiritual healing. In episode #5 of Talking Transformative Love, we chat with Rachel about her experiences working with Refugees and Asylum seekers and the interconnectedness of her vocation and faith.
Dr Susan Stevens, former Principal of Loreto Toorak, has made an extraordinary contribution to the growth of the Loreto Australia & South East Asia network. In this episode of Talking Transformative Love, Susan shares her childhood stories and how they helped shape a formidable career steeped in the pursuit of excellence.
Sr Libby Rogerson ibvm is a past student of Loreto Normanhurst and member of the Province Council and the Loreto Justice Network. Libby is a passionate advocate for social justice and equity, both in Australia and overseas. In episode #4 of Talking Transformative Love, we chat with Libby about her early exposure to injustice and poverty across the world and, as a teacher, tackling racism in schools.
From growing up on a farm in New Zealand to creating a true community for young adults, Darcy McCormack, Principal of St Mary's College at Melbourne University, talks transformational love and the driving forces behind tomorrow's leaders.
Love Is In The Air with Sr Deirdre Browne ibvm. Both music and liturgy qualifications and decades of experience as a religion and music teacher across primary, secondary and tertiary levels led her to become a church music composer and choral conductor.