Empowering Storytelling: How to balance the shame and fear with the value of sharing our story
Members of CWR Ireland invited those involved in communications for Women Religious Congregations to an online workshop on Friday 25th April on ‘Empowering Storytelling: How to balance the shame and fear with the value of sharing our story’.
We in Ireland are not always good at sharing stories of religious life and we have a fear of being seen as ‘boasting’. How can we balance that fear with the value of sharing stories of the lives of so many courageous women in our congregations?
Anne-Marie Whelan, Director of Vocations and Associates for the Sisters of Bon Secours Ireland and GB and Suzanne Ryder RSM, Communications Coordinator for the Western Province of the Sisters of Mercy led an interactive workshop with those present, encouraging them to think of stories from their own lives, and the lives of those in their communities. Stories are personal, and only you can tell your real story. If you tell a story that is authentic and real, those listening will want to share this to others. This is the power of storytelling. Yes we can often dwell on the negative stories we read and see in the media. However we must be encouraged to negate the negatives with positives and there are so many positive stories out there.
Suzanne introduced us to Evelyn McLoughlin – Sr Loreto RSM who died in February this year. Described by Dave O’Connell, editor of the Connaught Tribune as ‘An educator, pioneer in social work and rural development, author, podcaster, she lived nine lives to the full’. Suzanne also reminded us of the ‘Daring to Hope’ photographic exhibition that tells the stories of many courageous religious throughout the past 100 years.
Anne-Marie went through the many ways of sharing our stories, and to use the gifts of those around us to explore many platforms and sources of sharing stories. She mentioned AI as another fear to overcome by informing ourselves on its positive attributes as well as the negatives.
Those present shared many of their stories together and left with a sense that there is value in sharing our stories and there is work to be done.
To find out more about Communicators for Women Religious Ireland you can contact us at cwr.ireland@gmail.com and join one of our online meetings to learn more.
