Death of Pope Francis
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 […]
Mary MacKillop continues to be Ecumenical in Bendigo
A statue of Mary MacKillop was recently placed in the Grand Stupa Buddhist Shrine of Universal Compassion in Bendigo (Victoria) together with a statue of St Francis of Assisi that was already there but in need of restoration. The ceremony for the installation of Mary MacKillop was held in the Peace Garden of the Shrine. […]
JJAMM 2025
We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision. Pope Francis, 11.02.2022 Pope Francis’ words capture the spirit of JJAMM (Joseph, Julian And Mary MacKillop) 2025, a […]
Australia Day 2025 – Reflect, Respect and Celebrate
As dawn emerges on Australia Day 2025, citizens are called to reflect on all that this day holds within the diverse realities that shape this day in our national story. Australia Day celebrations in Sydney will begin with a traditional Dawn Reflection – a time to reflect on Australia’s history and its future as the […]
30th Anniversary of Mary MacKillop’s Beatification
Thirty years ago in 1995, I found myself in the very privileged role of President of the Australian-New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph, which was comprised of the diocesan congregations of Perthville, Lochinvar, Goulburn, Tasmania and New Zealand. Randwick Racecourse in Sydney was the ideal place for Mary MacKillop’s beatification ceremony. On entering […]
Celebrating Mary MacKillop’s Birthday
As we celebrate Mary’s birthday again on 15 January 2025, it is very fitting that her birthsite has recently been upgraded and made more accessible to visitors. The birthsite in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, became a building site in 2022. St Vincent’s Private Hospital, that occupies the site, planned to build additional wards and theatres into […]
New Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
As we begin this New Year, we give thank for all the blessings, memories and gifts of 2024. It was year filled with many joys and many challenges as people faced economic hardship, the loss of loved ones, war and climatic changes among other things. There were also moments when we rejoiced in the good […]
Christmas Message 2024
As we come to celebrate Christmas this year, we are mindful of the many places in our world troubled by wars, violence, climatic issues, economic disadvantage, and endless challenges. We are invited to walk with Mary and Joseph on the road to the Bethlehem’s of our heart. All was not well in the time […]
Praying with Mary MacKillop in November
In this month of November, we traditionally remember the dead and depending upon our theology, we pray for the dead, to the dead or with the dead. A friend of mine has a strong belief and practice of praying to someone who has just died for a special situation. In current theology on the Communion […]
My Experience of Mary MacKillop’s Canonisation
For me the privilege of being in Rome for Mary MacKillop’s canonisation (17 October 2010) was the culmination of my Josephite journey to that point. I was educated in primary and secondary school, and then teacher’s college with the Josephites. This gave me the opportunity to come to know the values and spirit of the […]
Tri-diocesan Young Adults Pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop Place
A group of young adults from the Dioceses of Broken Bay, Sydney and Parramatta recently embarked on a meaningful pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. This journey was a chance to learn about the life of Australia’s first canonised saint, and an opportunity for participants to reflect on their own paths and how […]
Love of God, love of neighbour, love of common home
Joy and Suffering One of the greatest joys I have experienced through the Josephite charism is the beauty of relationship between Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods. Jan Williamson captured it wonderfully in her painting The Vision. But joy and suffering often go together. I remember suffering when I first learned of Mary and […]