Our sesquicentennial celebrations throughout 2016 honoured the foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
A Video Message from Sr Monica Cavanagh
(Congregational Leader)
During the year special events enabled all who are part of the heritage of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods to renew their commitment to the vision of our Co-founders.
Celebrations during the year gave thanks to all our benefactors, family and friends of the Sisters of Saint Joseph who have journeyed with us since 1866:
- to celebrate our unsung heroes who walked before us and planted the seeds of the Gospel.
- to rejoice with our partners in mission who are listening and responding to the heartbeat of the world today, through various groups responding to the challenges of today – reaching out and sharing our resources with others.
- to reflect on how we listen and respond to the heartbeat of the world today.
- to be challenged to the truth that one person can make a difference.
- to be optimistic and open to the new relationships beyond 2016 with those who will continue the legacy of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods.
The year was filled with gatherings for Eucharists, prayerful and reflective moments, pilgrimages, celebrations, a Justice Conference, and special launches, to be held across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Peru, Brazil and East Timor.
Sr Brigette Sipa rsj
Sesquicentenary Coordinator
Sesquicentenary Sentiments
Media Coverage
Catholic Leader – article from Sr Monica Cavanagh
Catholic Leader – article from Sr Annette Arnold
Catholic Leader – Josephites Gather for major milestone
Cath Weekly – online and print
Catholic Religious Australia – Print
Sr Susan Connolly – ABC Interview
Trent Zimmerman MP – Parliamentary Tribute Media Release
Trent Zimmerman MP – Official Speech to the Australian Parliament
Mosman Daily – Sisters Celebrate 150th Milestone
Acknowledgements
Carmen and Angel Llanco, Covenant Josephites from Peru with Sr Katrina van Ruth currently ministering in Peru. Carmen and Angel are in Australia representing the Peruvian people for the occasion of our Sesquicentenary. Carmen and Angel presented the Sisters of Saint Joseph with the beautiful Peruvian sculpture of Mary MacKillop surrounded by the Peruvian people.
The inscription reads: CON MUCHO AMOR, ANUESTRA CONGREGACION, EN SUS 150 ANNIVERSARIO. ALIANZAS Y ASOCIADOS JOSEFINOS DEL PERU, MARZO 2016 (With much love on the 150 anniversary of our Congregation, the Josephite Covenants and Associates of Peru. Marzo 2016)
Sr Monica Cavanagh with Sr Judith Lawson the current President of CLRI NSW presenting the Sisters of Saint Joseph with a beautiful bunch of flowers on behalf of all the Religious Congregations at the recent Conference for Leaders to congratulate us on our Sesquicentenary. We brought them home and placed them on the tomb of Mary MacKillop.
Events, Celebrations and Opportunities
CALENDAR: Sesquicentenary Events (please note this is subject to change)
BROWSE: our online store for a memorable keepsake
Two Memoirs from Penola
Read stories from the Sisters of their journey...
Sesquicentenary Media Release and News Articles
Listen! A Poem by Sr Mary Jo Wells rsj
One Hundred and Fifty – A Poem by Sr Susan Connelly rsj
Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop in Scotland – Sr Briege Buckley rsj
50 Years Ago – Sr Marie Egan rsj
A Sesquicentenary Message from Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj
Sesquicentenary Media Release – Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj
Sisters Sesquicentenary Recipe Book – Sr Brigette Sipa rsj
150 Years – telling the story – Sr Genevieve Ryan rsj
Then and Now – Sr Marie Foale rsj
Josephite Sesquicentenary – Sr Mary Jo Wells rsj
View a PDF version of the PowerPoint from the Penola Celebration
A Sesquicentenary Poem and Mandala by Tarina Brooke
Aflame with her good Gods love,
A woman called Mary began.
Passionate to bring equality
to every woman and man.
With Father Julian Tenison Woods
Guiding Mary on this path.
Together the journey began
To show that all people have worth.
Beginning a school in Penola.
A disused stable it was
Where this mission began to flourish,
And simple was its cause.
Education for all
Not just the rich.
A fourth “r” included
Knowledge of religious faith their wish.
From these humble beginnings
Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart began.
Now, not just in schools but in many ways
The mission continues on.
One hundred and fifty years have passed
Since the Congregation began.
Now many ministries and places
Josephite hearts are in.
Page Banner Timeline image:
Top Row (left to right): Saint Mary MacKillop, Sr Baptista Molloy, Sr Cyril Elkis, Sr Leone Ryan,
Sr Denis Earl, Sr Mary Cresp, Sr Katrina Brill, Sr Monica Cavanagh.
Bottom Row (left to right): Sr Bernard Walsh, Sr Laurence O’Brien, Sr Josephine Cahill,
Sr Adrian Ryan, Sr Elizabeth Murphy, Sr Giovanni Farquer, Sr Anne Derwin