The Gift of Father Julian Tenison Woods
Fr Julian Tenison Woods, a gifted and complex character, was a many-sided man: pioneer priest, dedicated and successful missionary, educator (the first director of Catholic Education in Australia), scholar of some repute and respected scientist. In his formative years, Julian encountered and was influenced by a variety of holy people and their spiritualities. Consequently, his […]
Mary MacKillop and Advent
During a recent trip to Melbourne, I attended Mass at St Francis’ Church in the city. This is a special church as it is Victoria’s oldest Catholic Church, where Mary MacKillop’s parents were married, and where Mary had the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Visiting St Francis’ Church, which was a significant […]
Kaleidoscope: Celebrating Advent
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. Psalm 122:9 Traditionally, Advent is thought of as a time of waiting. What happens in that waiting space? Perhaps it is a time of seeing the way patterns of hope, desire and longing disperse, change and reform so that […]
International Day of Tolerance 2022
Earlier this month we heard news of the New South Wales (NSW) Australian of the Year Award being given to Craig Foster, former Socceroo and human rights activist, who has advocated for refugees and anti-racism. Recently, he helped the Afghan women’s national football team and other female athletes flee the Taliban and campaigned for the […]
150 Years in NSW: We Remember, We Reflect, We Give Thanks
In this our sesquicentenary year of the arrival in New South Wales of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, we offer this meditation. November is the month of All Saints and All Souls so, in our Josephite story, this is our special focus: We Remember, We Reflect, We Give Thanks Take time […]
St Mary MacKillop in the Pandemic and Post-Pandemic
The pandemic was a time that surprised the world. It was never thought that the COVID-19 virus could challenge humanity on the domination of Earth. A fixation on daily death numbers, anguish, despair, pain, violence, lack of food and work, medicine, etc. all reigned. But all believers in God had hope in God. It is […]
Mary MacKillop’s Canonisation Anniversary
Canonisation celebrations at Mary MacKillop Place, 2010. For the canonisation of Mary MacKillop, all roads led to Rome on 17 October 2010. For those of us in Australia, all roads led to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. At the time, I was blessed to be working at Mary MacKillop Place as a member of […]
October Prayer Intention: A Church Open to Everyone
Each month, Pope Francis asks for our prayers for a specific intention. For the month of October, the prayer intention is for a Church open to everyone. We pray for the Church ever faithful to and courageous to preaching the Gospel. May the church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in […]
Peace
We annually commemorate the International Day of Peace on 21 September. For this day, Sr Emilie shares a checklist by St Paul for people of peace, the peace of Christ. In his letter, St James (4:12) asks the question: “Who are you to give a verdict on your neighbour?” James must have encountered people like […]
Making A Difference – A Reflection on St Mary MacKillop
Never see a need without doing something about it.Mary MacKillop In 1866, together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart and opened a school to provide free education for the children of Penola, South Australia. From this small beginning, Mary went on to establish Catholic […]
Father Founder – A Tasmanian Connection
In education these days, there is a practice where a teacher may use a ‘provocation’. This is an object or artefact, a photo or a poem that is a stimulus for thought and discussion. A launching pad for learning. In writing this reflection, and thinking about Father’s Day (4 September), and the role of Julian […]
International Day of Friendship
I believe friendships enrich your life and is one of the best gifts anyone can receive. Some of my favourite memories are with my friends. Such as the times we would spend hours catching up as there was so much to share about our lives. Personally, my friends add value, perspective, support, and love to […]