Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Luke 9:51-62 - Together on the Way
Dr Jill Gowdie is known across Australia and overseas as a speaker, writer, facilitator, educator and system leader with wide and deep experience in Catholic education, mission and formation.
She has qualifications across the disciplines of theology, spirituality, leadership, religious education, journalism, education and governance. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership, awarded summa cum laude. She also holds a Master’s degree in Religious Education and Theology, receiving an inaugural award for excellence in research.
Jill has taught and led at primary, secondary and university levels and in adult and school consultancy contexts. A faculty member with BBI-TAITE and visiting fellow at Oxford and KU Leuven universities, she is also a member of 4 international networks/thinktanks, a peer reviewer for Sage Publications and is currently Vice President of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania. Jill is also Deputy Chair of the Lasallian Mission Council (Australia, Pakistan, New Guinea and New Zealand), Chair of the Gerard Rummery Institute and member of the Australian Mission and Education Board and the International Network of Researchers in Catholic Education.
Jill has pioneered work in Australia in contemporary spiritual formation, founding a national network (FACE Australia), and has been a leader in the National Catholic Education Commission in Australia in formation and the international work in Catholic Identity. At archdiocesan level, she has created and implemented a new system model and strategic approach to growing spiritual capital in school communities through staff engagement. The work she has done here has spread to other places including New Zealand, England and the Netherlands.
Her innovative work has included the development of a companioning program for pre-service teachers in conjunction with the Australian Catholic University; the development of a new College Middle Leaders Formation Program currently in pilot in Sydney and the PEARL Project (Program for Emerging and Aspiring Religious Leaders) piloted in Brisbane. Her 2017 book Stirring the Soul of Catholic Education: Formation for Mission has become a sought-after text for those studying and leading in Catholic education or church ministries. Jill has also published numerous articles, chapter contributions and a variety of resources. Her most recent work has been as a contributing writer for the Holy Bible CEV Catholic Edition with Encyclopaedia (2021). She is currently writing a guide for staff and student retreats due to be published early 2023.
Jill is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is currently Director, Catholic Identity & Mission for Catholic Education, South Australia (CESA).
Jill and husband Geoff have four adult children and have belonged to St Anne’s Catholic Community in Brisbane for a very long time.
