Australia Day 2025 – Reflect, Respect and Celebrate
January 24, 2025
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 sun rises.
It is a day to give thanks to our Creator God for gifting us with the natural beauty of our land with its diverse expressions from oceans to deserts, mountains to rugged plains, rainforests to sand dunes, and the variety of the flora and fauna that speak of the uniqueness of this ancient land. It calls us to take seriously the responsibility of caring for our common home. The southern cross shining in our southern skies draws us into the expansiveness of what it means to call Australia home.
Conversion of St Paul
We commemorate the feast of the Conversion of St Paul (previously named Saul) on 25 January annually.
On the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was turned upside down and inside out. Usually referred to as his ‘conversion’, it has been described by one scholar as “the intervention by the risen Christ into Paul’s interior experience which stunned him for the rest of his life”. [1]
International Day of Education
January 23, 2025
The International Day of Education, held annually on 24 January, is a global day that raises awareness about the importance of inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
Access to education can help children and young people escape a life of poverty, reduce inequalities, and help reach gender equity – all of which are vital for peaceful and inclusive societies.
While education is a basic human right, millions of children around the world are still unable to access education. Today, sadly, 250 million children and adolescents are out of school and 763 million adults are illiterate. [1]
Sisters Celebrate Golden and Diamond Jubilees 2025
January 21, 2025
Diamond Jubilarians celebrating 60 years professed at Mary MacKillop Chapel in North Sydney
Twenty-four Sisters of Saint Joseph from across the Congregation have celebrated their Golden and Diamond Jubilees marking 50 years and 60 years since their first profession. They were able to gather and acknowledge the event at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney where they celebrated with other Sisters, family and friends.
Golden Jubilarians celebrating 50 years professed at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
Congregational Leader, Sister Monica Cavanagh, welcomed the Jubilarians, Sisters and guests to the Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Jubilarians were invited to renew their vows by Sister Monica, and their renewed commitment was met with applause from the Congregation.
30th Anniversary of Mary MacKillop’s Beatification
January 18, 2025
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 the course precinct, the buzz of anticipation and excitement was tangible. Thousands of Australians and people from far beyond filled the venue. There seemed to be instant camaraderie between complete strangers, all with the same reason for being at Randwick that historical day.
Celebrating Mary MacKillop’s Birthday
January 14, 2025
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 the space. The original monuments commemorating Mary’s beatification and canonisation were temporally removed to make way for the building.
The Baptism of Jesus
January 11, 2025
Sr Helen shares a reflection for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 12 January 2025.
Your Baptism, My Baptism – what does it mean?
We go in spirit to the peaceful and loving home of Nazareth. We somehow know that Joseph would have died, and Mary and Jesus are living their ordinary lives as part of the Nazareth community. Jesus was a man amongst men.
What does Peace and Freedom mean to you?
January 8, 2025
Peace and Freedom are inseparable; without peace, there can be no true freedom. In today’s world, this truth is more relevant than ever.
At first glance, it may be hard to recognise the peace and freedom we long for in the world. Acts of senseless violence and the cowardly abuse of power over humanity, often deny the peace and freedom we yearn for.