Written by: Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation CEO Sister Therese Thong

The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, also called Sisters of the Good Shepherd, is an international organization occupying one seat in the United Nations and serves more than 70 nations around the world. The Good Shepherd Foundation joined the three-day “2022 Good Shepherd Asia-Pacific Circle Teleconference” on March 15 to 17 this year. The participating districts included the Province of Northeast Asia (Taiwan, Korea, China, Hongkong, Macau), Province of Japan/Philippines, Province of Australia/New Zealand, Province of North India and Nepal, Province of Indonesia, Province of South India, Province of Singapore/Malaysia, Province of Sri Lanka/Pakistan. A new international group has been formed which shall integrate the collaboration of different units and handle preparations for training in the future.

Looking back at the 17th century, the work of the Good Shepherd assisting and helping women and the girls were mainly done by the nuns and implemented by some mission partners. However, with the passage of time, religious vocations have declined, the number of nuns has dropped, and there were more and more social problems. Starting 25 years ago, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd have worked together with the mission partners. Because of the participation of the partners, they have been able to support the continuation of the work of the Good Shepherd in areas of responsibility. Thence aside from more than 600 nuns from the Good Shepherd congregation joining the conference this time, working partners from Taiwan and other countries also joined the conference, sharing and discussing together the need for the international group in the future.

The Culture of Universal Justice is the foundation of all missions and work. The foundation of the Good Shepherd is love and it is shown through the work of justice. In promoting this innovation and establishing the International Team of the Order, the nuns working together with mission partners must maintain an open mind, open heart and an open will to strengthen the relationship. Universal justice emphasized by the Good Shepherd is to make resources available to those who really need it. Within the organization, homes can help and communicate with each other and serve to link up social resources, serve as the bridge between the sponsoring enterprise and the recipient, together helping the person being rendered service to, be able to walk out of the abyss of life.

Unfortunately, the emotional anxiety and insecurity of humans lead to mutual suspicion and hostility, wishing to get more resources on their side, stocking up on resources, sometimes getting more than what is really needed, leading to the growing global gap between the rich and the poor. However, God is merciful and generous. He knows the needs of the people. He created the world and at the same time, provides abundant supplies to those in need.

After the Sisters of the Good Shepherd arrived in Taiwan 35 years ago, they had started to form a partnership relation with the social workers at the very early stage, providing services together. Aside from co-workers within the organization, partner relation included groups believing in the same concepts and willing to work together, such as businesses and enterprises, donors, volunteers, recipients and others. Everyone participates enthusiastically and takes on the responsibility, make good use of resources to create localized services to promote the mission.

Through the Asia-Pacific Circle Conference held this time, connecting with international standards and strengthening the spirit and vitality of the Good Shepherd, and humbly learn from the service experiences of other countries, laying the foundation for the implementation of work done locally. I believe that continuously promoting our work, every person working a little bit more, accumulating for the good outcome, till we see the positive changes in the society someday. We need more people to support the ideas and concepts of the Good Shepherd and be our powerful partners.