We are delighted to shine a spotlight on our valued Spiritual Director, Mary Sharpe. Mary brings with her a wealth of lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep, abiding passion for spirituality and the gift of ageing. Read on to hear more from Mary in her own words.
I was married to Michael Sharpe for 54 years, and we have four children and seven grandchildren. Michael passed away in August 2024.
Michael and I trained together as Spiritual Directors at the Emmanuel Centre in Tasmania, a centre directed by the Josephite Sisters. I also completed a Diploma of Pastoral Ministry in Tasmania in 1999. Prior to this, Michael and I were involved for many years in Church ministries including Antioch, Marriage Encounter Programs and Cursillo.
Following my Spiritual Direction training, I worked as a Spiritual Director while simultaneously practising in my profession of Pharmacy. I was later appointed to senior positions within Pharmacy that required me to step back from Direction work for a time, and I finished my working career as Tasmania’s Chief Pharmacist.
In recent years, Michael’s health meant I was able to devote myself more fully to journeying with him and caring for him. Following his passing, I found great strength and new life in reigniting the spiritual fire that had always been burning in my soul. This led me to complete work with the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, which has been instrumental in re-establishing my connection to and work as a Spiritual Director. I have also commenced delivering Reflection Sessions.
I have a deep and profound interest in spirituality as we age, and how it can bring life and energy to the soul of those journeying through the later years, and not so late years, of life. Ageing can be transformative. Just let God in.
I am also a member of the policy committee of Tasmania’s Council on the Ageing (COTA), with a particular interest in issues around mindful ageing.
Gifts can come awake in forgotten old corners of the mind, with sacred remembrance, and deliver grace and energy with new eyes in the present moment.