Communio Calling

 In 2029, the international Benedictine world celebrates a Jubilee of Benedictine Life — 1500 years since St Benedict founded his monastery at Montecassino in 529 AD. The spiritual preparation for the jubilee begins this year, following the stages of St Benedict's life.  

In 2026, the theme "Awaken in Norcia" invites us to begin the celebration with joy and thanksgiving.

 In this episode, host Gabrielle Sinclair is joined in conversation with Sr Kym Harris osb, Benedictine Sister and writer, living at the Benedictine Monastery of the Transfiguration in Tanby, Queensland. 

 As the Australian Benedictine Union's nominated promoter for the jubilee, she shares her hopes for the journey and the importance of our Australian communities coming together as we look towards the future of Benedictine life.

Now in its fifth year, Prophetic Voices continues to invite GSE students to speak into the issues that matter most to them — and to discover what it means to exercise a prophetic voice of their own. Rooted in communio, the program draws our GSE schools together, sending students back into their communities carrying new ideas and hope for the road ahead.

In this episode, host Gabrielle Sinclair sits down with four students from this year's cohort to reflect on their journey through the program and unpack the statements they've written. This year, discernment led them to two topics:

• Ethical Digital Citizenship
• Women's Rights: Attention, Prevention, Advocacy

Their thinking was shaped by topic experts Matt Esterman and Michelle Monteiro of Next Word, and Sr Sarah Puls of ACRATH.

Read more on Prophetic Voices and the full student statements at: https://goodsameducation.org.au/prophetic-voices/

Today, 22 July 2026, Good Samaritan Education celebrates 15 years as a ministerial public juridic person. 

As we mark this significant milestone—and five years of Communio Calling—we bring together a collection of reflections from members of our community who have each played a part in GSE’s journey.

Through their memories, insights and hopes for the future, these voices tell part of the story of Good Samaritan Education, one inspired by a shared communio in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition. This is our communio calling is to mission. 

Thank you to everyone who walks alongside us, contributing to God's mission. We are grateful for all that has been and look forward with hope to all that is yet to come.

Living Discernment is the focus our latest episode. Following on from Dr Carmel Posa's earlier episode and her insights on Benedict and Discernment, host Gabrielle Sinclair welcomes Carmel back to deep a little deeper and unpack what it means to cultivate discernment within contemporary educational communities.

In this enriching conversation, host Gabrielle Sinclair and special guests Jenni Hickson and Martin Teulan explore what it means to see the world through a Catholic lens.

We celebrate our communities being places of welcome, so when we expand the table of hospitality to include diverse voices how do we ensure our ministry remains Catholic?

Drawing on their own stories of faith, family and vocation, Gabrielle, Jenni and Martin reflect on what people mean when they speak of a Catholic worldview. 

So, how can this way of seeing life, ministry and the world be understood more deeply? 

Living Discernment through the lens of prayer and community is the formation theme for GSE in 2026. To give some context for our theme we offer you, Listening, Thinking and Discernment – The Old and the New, a presentation by Dr Carmel Posa sgs. This deep engagement in understanding discernment was a keynote from our 2025 Triennial Conference, and is the perfect way to launch our year. 

Drawing on Chapter 3 of the Rule of Benedict, Carmel explores the practice of giving and receiving counsel in community, with discernment described as “the mother of all virtues.” Rooted in the monastic tradition and understood as a gift of the Spirit, discernment is presented not as a private exercise, but as a shared, relational practice that calls for humility, patience, and deep listening with the ear of the heart.

In a world that often seems to have forgotten how to think—let alone listen—this keynote offers a timely and challenging reflection. What wisdom might Benedict’s teaching offer us as we journey into the future? As GSE celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026, it is a question worth asking now more than ever.

For Communio Calling's final episode for 2025 join host Gabrielle Sinclair in conversation with GSE students who attended the International Benedictine Youth Congress (IBYC). An initiative of the International Commission for Benedictine Education (ICBE), the congress took place at Sant'Anselmo, Rome, from 19-21 September.

 Six students from Rosebank College represented the Australian-Pacific region at IBYC, together they share their reflections on their experience, walking in the footsteps of St Benedict, and connecting with the global Benedictine community. 

To honour Scholastica Gibbons, co-founder of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, on the anniversary of her death (October 15) this episode is a treasure trove of rich conversation on the life and legacy of Mother Scholastica.

Host Gabrielle Sinclair welcomes Joanna Mead, Paul O’Shea, and Fran Vella, who together share fresh insights and personal reflections on Scholastica’s journey - from family in Ireland, her arrival in Australia, and her collaboration with John Bede Polding to establish the first order of religious sisters founded on Australian soil. 

Together we consider Scholastica’s motivations, formative years, and the challenges she managed while remaining grounded in service. Her inspiring legacy continues to enliven our Good Samaritan communities today.

In this episode of Communio Calling, we bring you our first keynote presentation from the Triennial Conference, Weaving Educational Baskets: Centering Indigenous Knowledges in Leadership, Learning and Systems, presented by Kelly Humphrey. 

Kelly Humphrey is a proud Gomeroi woman, and the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Australian Catholic University. With degrees in Education and Theology, she’s dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in achieving their futures. Kelly’s research on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school leaders reflects her commitment to advancing their educational leadership. She’s lived in rural and regional areas, engaging with communities and being responsive to their needs. 

Kelly’s presentation explores Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing, through the Basket Weaving as an Aboriginal Methodology and Theoretical Framework (2023). This framework of basket weaving are not only theoretical tools but also invites educators and system leaders to reflect deeply on their practice and purpose.   

Hear from our Prophetic Voices 2025 students at the Triennial Conference, ‘Ever Ancient Ever New’—now available in the latest Communio Calling episode.

This year’s topics:

• Mental Health: Stewarding Supportive Communities

• Access to Education for All: Rural, Remote, and Vulnerable Communities

Students answered audience questions and shared honest reflections. Listen in to discover their perspective.