The Gift of Fr Julian Tenison Woods

As we celebrate Father Julian Tenison Woods’ day (7 October) in our Josephite story, we give thanks for his gift to us, our Church and our world. Julian was a noted pastor, missionary, scientist, musician and writer.

Julian had a deep love for nature and often encountered experiences of the Divine in his contemplation of nature. In a letter he wrote to Mary MacKillop, he said:

God’s beauty, God’s goodness, God’s fatherly watchful care of me and all nature pursues me everywhere.
Julian Tenison Woods 1870

Click here to continue reading

St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre in Kincumber

Aerial view of St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre.

St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre in Kincumber on the NSW Central Coast, nestled in a natural bushland setting and a sacred place visited by Mary MacKillop, is embracing a renewed focus on providing accessible and enriching spiritual experiences through a range of shorter reflection days, workshops, events and retreats. This shift is designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals seeking moments of peace and contemplation in today’s fast-paced world.

Click here to continue reading

Fr Julian and the forests of Tasmania – his own words

Father Julian Tenison Woods was born on 15 November 1832 in England and entered eternal life on 7 October 1889 in Sydney. A young Julian arrived in Tasmania (from England) on 30 January 1855 and was a priest there from 25 February 1874 until 15 November 1876.

Let us celebrate, in his own words, Fr Julian in Tasmania, as he experienced the forests on this beautiful island…

Click here to continue reading

Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools Executive Meeting

Narelle Archer (Principal – Mount St Joseph Milperra), Sr Catherine Mead rsj, Kate Dishon (Principal – Mount St Joseph Altona), Chris Caldow (Principal – MacKillop College Werribee), Brett Donohoe (Principal – St Mary’s Gateshead), Chris Gabbett (AJASS president, Principal Mary MacKillop Catholic College Highfields).

Planning for a 2025 Conference was the main agenda item of the AJASS Executive when they met at Mary MacKillop Place on 12 September.

AJASS is the Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools – and their charter commits them to continuing the educational mission of the Josephite order, informed explicitly by the specific charism and witness of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Click here to continue reading

Launch of Laudato Si’ URGENT HOPE series of Conversation Packages

In this Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October 2024), the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, in collaboration with the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar, are pleased to launch their newest community resource supporting Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum entitled URGENT HOPE.

URGENT HOPE is the first in a five-part series of Conversation Packages drawn from Laudate Deum, Pope Francis’ document on the climate crisis. The URGENT HOPE Conversation Package provides prompts for discussion and reflection with a focus on the urgency of the climate crisis and the Christian virtue of hope. The URGENT HOPE series adds to the rich resources available in this Season of Creation and will extend into 2025.

The URGENT HOPE series of Conversation Packages are in two forms. The main resource can be viewed via Flippingbook and can be downloaded and printed. Each Conversation Package will also include a Webinar which will be open to all Josephite supporters.

Click here to continue reading

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Constantine’s vision and the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in a 9th century Byzantine manuscript. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

You may have noticed recent media references to “childless cat-ladies”. By and large, these have been politically spiked, positive neither to women or cats. For a start, the woman of whom I write today was definitely not ‘childless’, for she, Saint Helena as the Church honours her, was the mother of Constantine the Great, the Emperor who converted to Christianity. [Now, do trust me dear reader. I will eventually reveal how Helena did have an apostolic connection with cats!]

Helena [c.248 CE – c.330 CE] gave birth to Constantine on 27 February, c.272 CE. Before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, where several contenders sought to establish themselves as sole Emperor, Constantine claims he saw a vision of a fiery Cross in the night sky together with the words “In this sign, you will conquer”. Constantine won the battles and was proclaimed Emperor.

Click here to continue reading

Young Adults and Professionals Pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop Place

The Forest and Set Alight communities outside the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel. Photos by The Good Thief Photography [1].
Remember we are but travellers here.
Mary MacKillop 1867

The above quote by Mary MacKillop is a reminder that this life is temporary and a journey. As we journey through life, we encounter ups and downs which can shape our lives and contribute to who we are.

On Sunday 18 August (and in the month of Mary MacKillop’s feast), The Forest and Set Alight communities of young adults and professionals from Ryde-Gladesville Parish in Sydney, joined together to embark on a pilgrimage to learn more about the life and legacy of Mary MacKillop, a woman who understood the journey of life.

Click here to continue reading

Celebrating St Mary MacKillop’s Feast at Mary MacKillop Place

St Mary MacKillop feast day outdoor Mass. Photos by Grey Photography.

St Mary MacKillop’s feast day is a momentous occasion, and to those of us blessed to call Mary MacKillop Place our workplace, we prepare to ensure everything runs smoothly for the large number of pilgrims who celebrate the feast each year.

Every team at Mary MacKillop Place has a crucial role, from organising liturgies to managing the facilities on site, conference services, catering, the café, and the many hours of behind-the-scenes administration, cooking, cleaning and stocking up etc.

Click here to continue reading