KCP - Catholic Diocese of Broome

The Kimberley Companion, a Religious Education Resource for use in Catholic Schools in the Kimberley, was launched recently in Broome and again in Warmun. Bishop Saunders thanked the author, Sr Veronica Ryan RSJ, for her hard and persistent work. He described The
Kimberley Companion as “probably the most significant Religious Education Resource ever developed for the Kimberley. It is innovative,
imaginative, relevant and substantial” he said. “It has the potential to connect the school, the parish and the family in the area of faith education. It was designed for school teachers, but it could be equally useful to parents and parish priests. The Kimberley Companion is
complementary to the RE Guidelines and localizes the guidelines for Kimberley people.”

Sr. Veronica said how grateful she was for the support her project had received. It would not have been possible, she remarked, without the backing of local teachers and parents and Aboriginal Teaching Assistants. She thanked Mr. Damien Doyle of the Perth Catholic Education Office who represented Mr. Ron Dullard at the launches, and commented how thankful she was to the CEO for their encouragement and professional assistance.

Sr. Veronica went on to say that the Religious Education Coordinators in each school monitored the progress on the material over the time of the project and made valuable contributions for which she is ever grateful.

A second launch in Warmun included students from St Joseph’s Kununurra, while local students contributed magnificently to the morning’s celebrations through song and drama. Community members escorted Sr. Veronica and the new publication to the place of celebration where the book was duly presented and launched.

Sr. Veronica summed up the moment: “Although the life story of The Kimberley Companion has been long and challenging, it has been a time of inspiration for me. I have been given ample opportunity to look anew at the great truths of Jesus’ message. In faith I have been acutely aware of my privilege to “assist others to hear the word of God and keep it.”