Mary goes to Rome: Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage
May 9, 2025
Like Mary MacKillop, I went to Rome! In January this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Jubilee of the World of Communications in Rome. Although Mary and I went to Rome for different reasons and over 150 years apart, we both journeyed with the theme of hope in common, we have the same name, travelled by ourselves, and we both saw the Pope.
Mary was going to Rome with hope to seek approval for the Sisters’ Rule of Life and had the opportunity to meet with Pope Pius IX. I was going to Rome to attend a gathering for Young Catholic Communicators for the Jubilee Year, with the theme being Pilgrims of Hope and had the opportunity to see Pope Francis.
A Mother’s Day Reflection
Becoming a mother was one of the most gratifying moments in my life, but not every mother shares the same experience.
I feel fortunate as a mother of two beautiful adult daughters. My perspective on motherhood probably stems from growing up in a loving family with a good support network, and my husband and I had the opportunity to work hard to establish a good foundation for our family.
When embarking on motherhood, we might not always feel mentally prepared. We may question whether the timing is right, whether we’re financially stable enough or we may self-doubt our ability to cope with the challenges ahead.
Reuniting 50 Years Later
On the morning of Saturday 26 April 2025, there was an air of excitement around St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills (now Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Baulkham Hills), as Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary Queen Sisters and ex-novices from three groups greeted each other with hugs and laughter, having gathered to recall the events that had happened there 50 years ago.
Only a few days before Saigon fell in April 1975, the Josephite novice-mistress, Sister Patricia Duffy, had received a phone call from Marist Father, Tony King asking if she could accommodate a group of 34 Sisters of Mary Queen who were flying into the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Base Richmond, outside of Sydney from war-torn Vietnam. “Of course,” replied Sister Patricia, and then, as beds were hurriedly being prepared, it dawned on her that she had better inform the Superior General Mother Denis of this fact!
St Joseph the Worker
April 29, 2025
The celebration of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted on 1 May 1955 by Pope Pius XII so that it would coincide with International Workers’ Day or May Day – a celebration of work and workers’ rights coming out the 19th Century industrial revolution. The Soviet Union had used this day to have massive military parades and exalt communism, so Pope Pius XII wanted to ensure that workers did not lose a Christian understanding of work.
As we reflect on the daily life of the Family of Nazareth, the Gospel specifies the work of Joseph – that of a carpenter. He was able to support his family with this trade and went on to teach Jesus the skills needed. We are reminded that after the episode in the temple, Jesus ‘went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them’. (Lk 2:51) This obedience would have implied sharing in the work of Joseph so that Jesus became known as the carpenter’s son (Matt 13:55) and a carpenter (Mark 6:3).
April Prayer Intention: For the use of the new technologies
April 23, 2025
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our time.
Who is the patron of the internet? Is there a patron of the internet?
In 1997, Pope John Paul II named Saint Isidore of Seville as the Patron of the Internet. A prominent historian and scholar of the sixth century, Isidore possessed extensive knowledge across various fields. In his writings he sought to collect, systematise and synthesise all existing knowledge.
Death of Pope Francis
April 22, 2025
The Sisters of Saint Joseph join Catholics and people around the world to mourn the death of Pope Francis. We give thanks for his deep faith, his strong leadership, his compassionate heart and his advocacy for justice.
Pope Francis cared for the poor and those on the edge. He also had a willingness to meet with world leaders and was not afraid to speak his truth.
Uniting to Care for our Common Home
What do NSW scuba divers, Josephite Sisters and a Catholic priest have in common? A commitment to care for the environment… Robert Purdon is a health worker, lover of nature and volunteer. He writes on behalf of the Josephite Laudato Si’ Action Plan Team.
Bushrangers Bay is an aquatic reserve in Shellharbour, New South Wales (NSW). The legislation around Bushrangers Bay and Bass Point is not black and white, and certain political groups have lobbied government for a weakening of the legislation and regulation that provides protection to marine life.
Easter Message 2025
April 16, 2025Easter is a time to celebrate that the Risen Christ lives among us. We are an Easter people, and like the disciples on that first Easter morning, we continue to find God present in surprising and unexpected places.