Reflection on Mary MacKillop
March 8, 2021Reflecting on Mary MacKillop’s eventful life there is a realisation that she lived a type of nomadic existence.
Her grounded spiritual approach to life enabled her to travel to establish new foundations and to meet the needs of the sisters and the needs of the times. Her journeys took her to many parts of the continent by many means of transport. As a woman of this era she imbibed a remarkable knowledge of the land and the conditions that ordinary Australians endured.
Her journeys were always taken in the spirit of Joseph. Joseph experienced many journeys into the unknown. We think of his life as being hidden and silent, yet he was a strong man of his time seeped in faith and spirituality as he protectively and courageously took on this special role. We are grateful for his witness of the Incarnation, for ensuring a safe return to Nazareth, for searching for Jesus, for teaching his child and for preparing Jesus for the enormous ministry he was about to embark on. Pope Francis reminds us:
St Joseph – Fr Julian’s Example and Guide
March 7, 2021In his last circular to the Sisters of Saint Joseph two years before his death, Fr Julian Tenison Woods affectionately reminded the sisters about what was essential for their Josephite lives.
Julian exhorts the sisters to follow the example of their patron, St Joseph.
Sisters of Saint Joseph Arrive in The Rocks
March 6, 2021
Sisters of Saint Joseph arrive in The Rocks area of Sydney, New South Wales
On the evening of 6 March 1880, two Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived in Gloucester St, Sydney to take up residence in a small rented cottage to which they invited the needy of the Rocks area – women and children who were homeless, aged or orphaned – who had nowhere else to go. Sr Josephine Carolan, in her Memoirs held in the Congregational Archives and used with permission, tells of their first night and morning there:
Build on a Strong Foundation
March 5, 2021World Day of Prayer 2021
The movement of the World Day of Prayer can be traced back to the 19th century where women in the United States and Canada initiated a variety of cooperative activities. It is now an ecumenical global movement where all are asked to join in prayer and action for justice and peace. Catholic Social Teaching uses these themes as well – informed prayer and prayerful action.
This year the prayer has been prepared by a group of women in Vanuatu, with its theme being “Build on a strong foundation.” [1] I remember visiting Vanuatu on a holiday in 1982, where I was warmly greeted with a hospitable people – full of colour and dance, who shared everything they had with you.
The pericope selected from Matthew 7:24-27 reminds us of the teaching of Jesus – to hear his words and put them into action. Again, echoing the World Day of Prayer motto of “informed prayer and prayerful action.” How do we see this fitting with the world today?
Josephite Justice Network – Media Statement: Aged Care
March 3, 2021Josephites join call for radical and lasting change to Aged Care Reform
Please find below a media statement from the Josephite Justice Network regarding aged care:
JJAMM 2021
JJAMM – Joseph, Julian and Mary MacKillop
Every year, around this time, I sit down to write an article to share with our Josephite community, informing you all of our JJAMM gathering. Every year I struggle for a new angle, because, quite honestly, every year is the same – inspirational, rewarding and such a valuable learning experience for our school leaders, their teachers and the facilitators. So, I thought this year, I would let the school leaders “write” the report you read.
JAG Weekend Gathering
February 22, 2021
On the first weekend of February the Josephite Action Group (JAG) met on the Central Coast at the St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre at Kincumber, New South Wales.
The goal of this weekend was to meet as a group to plan future events whilst also strengthening our leadership skills and teamwork.
The Twins
February 20, 2021World Day of Social Justice (20 February)
Four daughters of Goodness and Love sped through the night. Faith held the reins, guiding the horses with sure grip. Constancy and Patience were in the lead, ever responsive to her firm touch.
The coach gathered speed, for there was not a moment to lose. Faith and Peace glanced at their two other sisters with concern. Justice and Truth were ill, their faces strained and weary, their luminous skin seeming oddly flawed. Were those marks bruises? Had the latest battles been so intense? Murder, greed, theft, rape, torture, abuse of children, cruelty to asylum seekers, political manipulation of law, secrecy concealing government crimes, the cries of ravaged earth––these and so many other wounds weighed them down like anchors.
Justice whispered to her sisters that she feared for Truth. Identical twins, it was as though one could not live without the other. Peace sighed deeply, knowing how much she depended on them both. Faith urged the horses on. Courage turned his head slightly, just for a second, and Faith was sure she saw him wink. Kindness snorted and whinnied with big teeth, and the other horses were spurred on at the thought of his great heart and future carrots.