Planet vs. Plastics: Earth Day 2024
In 2024, Earth Day (22 April) has a theme of Planet vs. Plastics. In our sports orientated cultures, the “vs.” denotes an impending contest, a winner and a loser, vocal enthusiastic one-sided supporters, spectator involvement and a set of agreed rules. This Planet vs. Plastics fixture breaks the mold somewhat. The contest is for the […]
A new home for everything
Showing Off What do you do with the contents of a home when it’s no longer needed? This challenge was met head-on by Sisters of Saint Joseph support staff when they were asked to clear the contents of a property in preparation for its sale. The house had a plethora of of furniture, kitchenware, bedding, […]
Care for Earth in WA
Sisters and neighbours, Sr Maura pbvm (Presentation Sisters) and Sr Maree rsj (Sisters of Saint Joseph), live in an Over 55s Village in Western Australia. “Well before Laudato Si’ – my mother taught us to be frugal and waste free,” says Sr Maree. “This would have been due to her own upbringing during the war […]
Recycling Soft Plastics in ANZ
Mt St Joseph Sisters in Whanganui Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ) and staff have a long history of working to minimise waste – from large compost bins for all garden waste, to the well-established worm farm which recycles paper that comes from the office and house staff. Both have been in use since being set up […]
Saving the world one quilt at a time
Showing Off Sr Helen, a Sister of Saint Joseph, shares her story. It was in the 1970s during my time in Woomera I first became aware of the ‘throw away’ society we had become, the local tip was known locally as ‘K-mart’ and it was a regular habit for the locals to go ‘shopping’ there. One […]
Habits of the Heart
Showing Off Sr Adrienne, a Sister of Saint Joseph in Aotearoa New Zealand, shows off her green thumb. My first profession was a change of habit, coming as it did in the latter part of my life.
Showing Off
Sr Lyn Raftery rsj As the daughter of parents brought up in the Depression years and as part of a young post war family whose income was very basic it is part of my DNA to not waste anything. Recycling is something to which I am naturally drawn. When the Sisters of Saint Joseph changed […]
Education in life and love: a Sister’s mission
Sister Pat Malone – Eco-Hero Profile Affectionately known as ‘Hey Jude’ (by senior students of the Beatles era), Sister Pat Malone has helped inspire many young people teaching religion, science and mathematics for over 20 years at Glen Innes, Panania, Mt St Joseph Catholic College Milperra, St Joseph’s Bankstown and St Joseph’s Hunters Hill. With […]
I Can, I Will
Trish and Vin Hindmarsh – Eco-Heroes Profile Caring for Earth and finding a sense of the sacred in all things are concepts dear to our Eco-Heroes of the month – Trish and Vin Hindmarsh. “This beautiful green, blue and brown planet we call our common home has been shaping my life and learning since I […]
Taking Action
Sister Mary-Ann Casanova PhD – Eco-Hero Profile Teacher, author, photographer, ecologist, student, farmer, and a Sister of Saint Joseph for almost 40 years… these are just some of the professions held by Sr Mary-Ann Casanova PhD. Growing up in rural South Australia, Sr Mary-Ann spent her younger days cultivating in the solitude of a sheep […]
A Paradigm of Dynamism
Carrollanne O’Brien – Eco-Hero Profile Meet our Eco-Hero of the month – Carrollanne O’Brien who works as an Executive Assistant to the Congregational Leadership Team for the Sisters of Saint Joseph in North Sydney. Carrollanne’s passion for environmental advocacy impacts both her professional and personal life. Working for the Sisters, she is encouraged and supported […]
Age is no barrier
Joelle Sassine – Eco-Hero Profile An active member of the Josephite Action Group and Josephite Justice Network, Joelle Sassine is proof that age is no barrier to being an Eco-Hero. As a recent graduate from the University of Sydney, the 22-year-old has hit the ground running, working simultaneously on a variety of social justice and […]