Joining the Sisters

"Care for Vocations is a crucial task for the future of consecrated life".

Starting Afresh from Christ - 200, #17

In the NSW Province the New Membership Committee has been active in encouraging an interest in vocations to the religious life. Regular meetings have resulted in the publication of a poster, brochures and bookmarks for distribution.

The Committee also meets regularly with women interested in exploring religious life by praying together and sharing a meal. One initiative has resulted in the decision to set up a House of Discernment in the Province.

House of Discernment

The purpose of the house is to allow women genuinely interested in religious life the time, space and atmosphere, within a Josephite environment, for prayer reflection on the possibility of their future as a Sister of St Joseph. The process of discernment is meant to foster growth in all aspects of an enquirer's life - spiritual, personal, relational, ministerial, intellectual and physical. The particular focus is the discernment of God's call to a Josephite way of life, and as such is limited to a stay of 6 - 12 months. The enquirer then decides to enter more formally into community life or follow another path.

A group of Sisters form a Core Community at the House of Discernment. Their role is to create an atmosphere of welcome, authenticity, and mutuality of prayer. In this atmosphere of faith-sharing, celebration and relaxation each enquirer is assisted in her vocational search.

The Core Community will live at St Joseph's Convent, 34 Liverpool Rd Croydon.

For further information email: sosjnsw@pacific.net.au