From 14-17 February 2026, student leaders from thirty Josephite schools across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand gathered at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney and Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Baulkham Hills. This was the largest JJAMM (Joseph, Julian, And Mary MacKillop) gathering in history! Over 100 name tags, 68 paged booklets and eager leaders with a sense that something bigger than themselves was unfolding.
Day One – Our Story
Different school names, mottos and colours stretched across the pavement wall in brightly coloured chalk. Yet as one stepped back from the mural, patterns emerged: Courage. Justice. Faith. Hope.
Through the story of Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods and St Joseph, students traced the roots of their schools. It was especially powerful to have Chris Vince, co-founder of JJAMM and the one who gave the event its name present.
We sat around Mary’s tomb. Wooden ‘feet’ pressed into their palms. One by one, they named the kind of leaders they hoped to become. Not loud leaders, not perfect leaders, but leaders willing to let their feet be guided by those before us, around us and emerging.
Day Two – Our Spirits Within
Sunday began in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel with Fr Gavin Foster gracefully joining us to celebrate Eucharist. Students’ voices echoed through songs, dancers dared to dream and reflections rose from the pews.
In the afternoon, students reflected on the six P’s of Mary MacKillop: Passion, Possibilities, Practical Action, Partnerships, Prayer and Perseverance. They were no longer words on a page – they became a mirror. Who am I as a leader? Who showed me how?
The journey continued to Baulkham Hills, where creativity and laughter at JJAMM Jingles showed that joy is also part of leadership.
Day Three – From “Me” to “We”
Attention turned outward to the realities of our world: the Climate Crisis, First Nations Justice, Asylum Seekers, Domestic Violence and Poverty. What would Mary do? What would Julian do? What would Joseph say? More importantly, what will we do?
Placards were painted, soapboxes were claimed and passionate speeches were delivered. We were reminded that leadership is not about our image, it is about our actions, standing up, speaking up and serving something greater than yourself.
Day Four – Going Forward
By Tuesday morning, the question shifted from inspiration to action. What will this look like back at school? Plans were drafted and ideas became timelines. Passion became commitment.
They arrived as leaders from thirty schools and left as a family with one shared mission: To carry the Josephite story and legacy forward with courage and conviction.
Somewhere between chalk murals and Chapel silence, between firework shows and fearless speeches, JJAMM reminds us that the story of Joseph, Julian and Mary MacKillop did not end in the 1800s. It continues in them.
And with 2027 marking the 25th anniversary of JJAMM, we cannot wait to see how the celebrations and the leadership continue to unfold.
Violet Cabral
Josephite Justice Network
