Post Graduate Grants

True to the vision of Mary Ward and her belief in the pivotal role of women in leadership, the Loreto Sisters have established a grant to support specialist and post graduate study in theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry. This is a partial grant only, to assist applicants in financial need and while priority is given to Catholic lay women, all applications are given serious consideration.

Mary Ward Grant 2009

Mary Ward, 1585-1645, founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, - known in Australia, as Loreto. Convinced that 'Women in time to come will do much', she believed passionately in the education of women to their full potential and to the highest contemporary standards.

In order to promote the dignity and role of women in the church and society, the 'Mary Ward Grant' was established to support specialist or post-graduate study of theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry.

This is a partial grant, to assist applicants who have financial need, including those seeking to complete the final year of undergraduate study.

Grants will be offered at the discretion of the Grant Committee. Each application will be treated confidentially on an individual basis, and no discussion on the outcome will be entered into. Priority is given to Catholic lay women. Other applications will be given serious consideration.

Applicants are asked to submit the following information:

Personal details.
Study proposal.
Financial assistance sought ($) and purpose for which the grant will be used, e.g. fees, resources, research assistance, living allowance, travel.
Personal and /or professional benefit of the grant.
Proof of scholarship: e.g. relevant qualifications and/or results of recent theological or related study.
Names of three referees to include one personal and one professional or academic.

Please send completed applications to:

Dr. Denise Desmarchelier ibvm
P.O Box 168
Portland, Victoria 3305

Should you wish to send the completed form by email, the address is: denise.loretop@pacific.net.au

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Wednesday 15 October 2008
Offer of grants to successful applicants will be made in December 2008.

Mary Ward Grant Recipients 2007

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the Mary Ward Grant 2007. The Loreto Sisters are proud to support these women in their specialist and post graduate study in theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry. View recipients list.

Working with Others

Working with the other Ignatian women's groups in Australia, (the FCJ sisters, the Religious of the Sacred Heart, and the Sisters of Charity) the IBVM in Australia also made a contribution towards an initiative of the Commission for Australian Catholic Women, which is aimed at promoting the participation of women in the Catholic church in Australia and promoting the collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions.

Young Catholic Women's Interfaith Fellowship

Young Catholic Women's Interfaith Fellowship - working towards the building of religious understanding and peaceful co-existence. Visit www.cacw.catholic.org.au (opens in a new window).