Bringing broad and deep experience to a regional role

Theresa joined Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS) as Executive Director in April 2006.  In this role, Theresa had oversight of the Good Shepherd welfare services in Malaysia. 

She was a member of the Good Shepherd Asia Pacific Partnership (GSAPP) Team from 2007 to 2015.  The focus of the GSAPP team is to co-ordinate the growth and development of partnership for mission in the Asia Pacific region.  

Theresa was a member of the Congregational Chapter Planning Committee, preparing for the Chapter held in Angers, France in June 2015.  She was chosen by the Congregational Leadership Team as Congregational representative to the Chapter in 2015.

In 2016 Theresa accepted the role of Regional Manager of the Mission Development Office, Asia Pacific. (Now Regional Manager, Asia Pacific Regional Office, Good Shepherd International Foundation.)

This is her personal story.

About

I started work with Good Shepherd Malaysia on Monday, 24 April 2006.  Little did I know that it was the Feast Day of Saint Mary Euphrasia.

Over fourteen years have since passed. 

In Good Shepherd

As I look back, what comes to mind immediately is the relevance of Good Shepherd mission in today's context.  It is amazing that an organisation founded in the 1800s in France to reach out to women and girls in crisis situations, is still very much relevant and needed today.  Good Shepherd mission continues to extend its compassionate presence of reconciliation and restoration of dignity to countless women and girls who are exploited and live on the margins of society.  It is against this backdrop that Good Shepherd Malaysia embraced mission partnership for its sustainability into the future.  

The Challenges

In 2005, the Good Shepherd Sisters opened their doors to lay staff at all levels of management in Good Shepherd Malaysia.  This development called for new ways of corporate governance, management of roles and responsibilities, refining of policies and operating procedures. It entailed  taking the huge risk of letting go of “the old”, and embracing and trusting in “the new”.   I pay tribute to the sisters for the audacity and vision to risk for mission as there were many difficult moments of not knowing, of just trusting the Spirit to lead us.  

As the first lay Executive Director of Good Shepherd Malaysia, I have not only witnessed, but am party to, the challenging transition experienced by both Sisters and lay partners as we work side by side to live out the Good Shepherd Mission.  Often, we were challenged to support each other in new ways as we assumed co-responsibility to perform our roles in the organisation.  The process of transition was inevitably fraught with difficult moments, but with generosity of hearts and resolve, we have managed to refine and define our own calling and purpose in being Good Shepherd people.

The Inspiration

I belief that we are now reaping the fruits of this prophetic change and new vision on religious-lay partnership.  During the last seven years, the organisation was able to rapidly introduce new services and programmes to meet needs.  This is a testimony of the success and synergy of mutual and collaborative partnership.  The number of lay persons who are either working or supporting the Good Shepherd mission in one way or another, has increased significantly, and more importantly, these partners have brought with them much resources - talents, skills, experiences and connections.  

There is a renewed hope that Good Shepherd mission in Malaysia will outlive its founders, and be carried forward by mission partners (sisters and lay persons) who will continue to make a difference to the lives of many women and girls in need of assistance.