Press Release: Merger Among Sisters of St Joseph

The Sisters of St Joseph of Goulburn have received authorisation from the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Rome, to proceed with ‘fusion’, or merger, with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Kerrie Cusack rsj

Congregational Leader, Sister Kerrie Cusack said ‘we rejoice in the news we have just received. It brings to  a conclusion for us a process begun several years ago when the various Josephite Congregations decided to work together towards a greater sense of unity.’

Sr Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart said, ‘We are delighted to welcome the Goulburn Sisters and to anticipate the mutual enrichment of being one Congregation’.

‘In practice, after the merger, the Goulburn Congregation will cease to exist as a separate Institute,’ Sister Kerrie said. ‘We are planning a celebration to occur on 19th March, 2013 that will mark this historic
transition.’

‘Over many years, the Goulburn Sisters have expressed a desire for greater unity with the other Australian and New Zealand Sisters of St Joseph and have engaged in numerous opportunities that have informed us more thoroughly of our shared history, charism and mission,’ Sister Kerrie said.

The Sisters of St Joseph of Goulburn, were founded in 1882 from Perthville, and became one of the five diocesan Congregations that later made up the Australian – New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph.

'For us the approval for fusion affirms a long held dream to be reunited, or reconciled, with our Sisters of origin, and to be true to the wishes of our Founders, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods, that the Sisters ‘will be brought back together again and be what they were in the beginning.’ Sister Kerrie said.

Anne Derwin rsj

Now we have the official approval from Rome I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to the Goulburn Sisters,’ Sister Anne said.

In his letter accompanying the Decree that authorized the fusion Archbishop Joseph W Tobin, C.Ss.R, Secretary of the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life thanked the Sisters for the care with which they had prepared for the fusion. ‘Be assured of our prayers that this fusion will be a blessing for the Church and for your Institute and all its members in their life and apostolic works.’ he said.

‘The Goulburn Sisters, meanwhile can hardly contain their gratitude and joy,’ Sister Kerrie said, ‘as we look forward to living into our new future. For us the time is right, and we are indeed on holy ground’.

For further comments contact:  Sr Kerrie Cusack 0417 428 058  or  Sr Sheila McCreanor 0407 870 016