“I thought I’d seen hardship and battle for justice before. But the places I have been to as a Loreto Sister, the people I have met, the stories I have shared... have enriched and changed my life forever.”

Joining the Loreto Sisters has allowed her to pursue her passion for social justice. Her first role was Parish Pastoral Associate working with people mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds. She was humbled by their openness and trust. “They allowed me to journey with them and share their experiences. Their trust and acceptance of me was gracious.”

In her next role at Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services she worked on project that involved loaning money to people on low income. She was amazed at what the loans did for people’s self worth. “Paying back the loans made them feel empowered and have belief in themselves.”

Janet is currently a member of the Loreto Sisters Justice Committee - a group of men and women who advocate on important social issues and provide a voice for the vulnerable. She feels it is here that her gifts and talents can be put to the greatest use.

She is also excited about her new role ahead as Executive Officer of Mary Ward International – the Loreto Sisters’ fund raising program that supports justice and sustainable development projects around the world, and provides an opportunity for others to become involved in whatever way they can.

She has so much going on in her life right now that she says a challenge of religious life is not to get caught up with being too busy in life that you miss out on time with God and with person.

One of her greatest experiences is her recent trip to Africa to meet fellow Loreto Sisters and to attend the World Social Forum. “I was energised by the vibrancy and commitment of our African sisters. I came back with this incredible sense of identity and belonging to a global family.”

Janet reflects on all that she has had the privilege to experience and the places she has travelled to and thinks about her life working as a business analyst in a major bank in Sydney not too long ago. “I felt unfulfilled and wanted more out of life”, she says. A trip to Cape York on behalf of the bank, to set up a family income savings scheme, is what she thinks set her on the path to find out more about herself, her drive, her passion, her gifts, where her heart truly lay and where she could make a difference.

She made enquiries with the Loreto Sisters in 2000 and says she felt an instant connection with the life and spirit of Mary Ward, the founder of the Loreto Sisters. She felt awe and admiration for a woman who despite so much oppression persevered to stand up for what she believed in. In 2002 Janet entered the Loreto Sisters novitiate program and has this advice for others considering a religious life,

“If the thought keeps coming back, just do it - follow your heart's call. The moment of absolute certainty might never come. There will be doubts but I feel that if this is not where God calls you to be, you or someone around you will know.”

Information about the Loreto Sisters and to read Janet’s story:

http://www.loreto.org.au/news/article_display.cfm?article_id=240