The First Three Houses of Providence: The Rocks, Sydney, NSW
March 18, 2020
Mary MacKillop and the pioneering Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Adelaide, South Australia had begun a House of Providence there in 1868 to minister to homeless women and children, giving them shelter, food and a chance to recover from whatever trauma they had experienced that left them in such desperation.
In 1880 the notion of a House of Providence was a new concept for the colonial residents of Sydney harbour. The work was totally dependent on the Providence of God to help the poor and destitute. The location around the port of Sydney on the western foreshore was called The Rocks because of the rocky and steep terrain upon which small, poor dwellings clung, offering shelter, small business enterprises and watering holes for thirsty sailors and desperate itinerants.
Fourth House of Providence: 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
In May 1881 ‘Cheshunt’, 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks became the fourth House of Providence of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
The establishment of ‘Cheshunt’ marked a significant growth point in the work of the Sisters. (Click to view article on the First Three Houses of Providence at The Rocks here).
St Patrick’s Day 2020
March 17, 2020My name is Patrick.
Ireland has many saints, the stories of whom have come down to us from tradition, often wrapped in legend and myth, but Patrick is different; he tells his story himself.
His brief autobiography, written in old age, begins with an introduction: “My name is Patrick” and goes on to recount how at sixteen he was captured, taken hostage and sold to a Druid in the north of Ireland, how he worked there for six years as a herdsman exposed to all weathers and conditions and how he prayed, “up to a hundred times a day” and the same at night. He tells of a dream that prompted him to journey 200 miles to the coast where, miraculously, a ship was waiting, and he found passage back to Britain and his family.
However, it was the results of another ‘vision in the night’ which endeared Patrick to the Irish people to this present day. He tells us,
Many years later having become ordained as priest and bishop, Patrick did arrive back in Ireland. The year was 432. The rest as we say, is history. His teaching and example as he travelled the length and breadth of the country, inspired a faith in the Irish people, the depth of which carried them down the ages through occupation, dispossession of land and culture and the unspeakable horrors of famine and war.
But what do we know of Patrick himself? In his writings we see a man of immense humility, filled with passionate love of God, and the people. We see his respect for the indigenous people in his incorporation of their reverence for the land, waters, seasonal cycles and the heavens, with Christian principles and rituals. His administrative ability enabled him to set up councils and monasteries throughout the country and he showed enormous courage in his denunciation of the British mistreatment of the Irish Christians. And in all of this there is never a doubt as to the source of his strength: A prayer, “The Deer’s Cry”, traditionally attributed to Patrick, endures to this day. (Link to musical version by Shaun Davey on YouTube.)
Little wonder then that each year in Ireland, March 17, the date of Patrick’s death, is a day of great celebration. Normal life is suspended while singing and dancing take over the streets. Traditionally families go to Mass in the morning, proudly wearing a sprig of shamrock, and then the party begins. Thousands flock to join the huge Dublin parade with performing artists from all over the world. Many of our New Irish bring their cultures too to the parade as it snakes its way colourfully through the heart of the city, and now, thanks to the Irish diaspora, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated worldwide. Even our politicians take part in the action, delivering a bowl of shamrock to the White House in honour of America’s welcome of our refugees from oppression, war and famine.
And all because Patrick, trafficked as a young boy to work in a foreign land, found it in his heart to forgive, and in answer to a call, returned to that foreign land to share with the people there a Light infinitely greater than the sun they worshipped and to offer them a freedom beyond anything they had ever known.
We are grateful.
Briege Buckley rsj
Irish Region
The reference quoted is an ancient work written by Saint Patrick himself and the translation from the original Latin is by Padraig McCarthy, 2003, who has given his full permission for its use on a public site.
Images:
Thumbnail: Happy St Patrick’s Day image by Tumisu obtained from Pixabay. Used with permission.
Statue of St Patrick in Pittsburg obtained from Wikimedia Commons. Used with permission.
St Patrick’s Day March, Dublin image obtained from Wikimedia Commons. Used with permission.
Ego to Eco: Part Four
March 13, 2020Father Julian Tenison Woods was a Catholic priest who had made a great contribution to Australian Geology, Botany, Palaeontology and Zoology.
Today the ecology of the Earth is suffering. Pope Francis states that we are in a time where peoples of the world need to have an ‘ecological conversion.’
Although Father Julian had lived in a different time to us, he had recognised the importance of looking after the Earth.
International Women’s Day 2020
March 8, 2020International Women’s Day is dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.
Its history dates back to 1909 when 15,000 women protested long work hours, low pay, and the lack of voting rights in New York City.
A detailed history of the development of International Women’s Day, countries in which it is celebrated and how, can be found on many websites. You might find the following sites helpful:
Throughout time women have struggled to move beyond stereotypes; have challenged societal biases; have called people to broaden their understanding of the nature of “woman”; have endeavoured to highlight their capabilities and therefore their rights. Women’s ongoing struggle for acknowledgement and equality has had and continues to have many different faces. We see this in Malala Yousazai as she stands up and advocates for the rights of girls to gain an education; in U.S. Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her determined quest for acceptance and recognition; in our own Edith Cowan who, in 1921 was the first women to be elected to government; in Mary MacKillop, who, in her own way challenged stereotypes of religious life and worked for the rights of children to be educated. We see a young woman taking a stand on behalf of climate change, and another sailing solo around the world. For some the struggle is to gain the right to work outside of the home. In the developed world, one of the today’s struggles is that of equality between women and men in remuneration for work.
No doubt as you read, each of you will call to mind stories of women you know or have known who, in their own ways, have challenged stereotypes, have broken through boundaries that have constrained them and have achieved recognition and equality. These struggles, be they very public or more hidden, have demanded much of each woman and often those with whom they are connected. For these many women, known and unknown, we give thanks for we today are the beneficiaries of their struggles. Never must we take for granted all that has been achieved on behalf of and for women. Walking in the footsteps of these women, each of us has responsibility to continue their work wherever we find ourselves, lest their efforts be in vain.
While this coming celebration on the 8 March is about the achievements of and for women, I believe it is important to pay heed to the words of Gloria Steinem, journalist, feminist and political activist who says “the struggle for women’s equality belongs to all who care about human rights.” The issue then becomes one of human rights, and surely this is what we are about – the rights of each human being. When a person is respected, acknowledged, valued, has a voice and has access to what is needed for their full dignity, they are enabled and empowered. Being thus empowered, each can achieve much for themselves and others. As each one is empowered so too our world becomes more empowered to continue to work for the dignity and rights of all.
International Women’s Day calls us to reflect on dignity, justice, empowerment, equality…
You might like to spend a little time considering the following:
- Whom did Jesus empower?
- Whom did Mary MacKillop empower?
- Whom did/does society/church today empower?
- What works against empowerment?
- Whom do I empower?
- Am I prepared to challenge structure that are oppressive and exclusive?
- Am I prepared to take action on behalf of another as a matter of justice?
- What personal resources might I need to continue to work for the empowerment of others?
working for the rights of women particularly
and those, known and unknown,
who continue to break through boundaries,
challenge perceptions,
and work for equality in our world.
Annie Bond rsj
Image: Group of women standing on rock fragment by Omar Lopez obtained from Unsplash. Used with permission.
A Day in the Life: Living at Mount St, North Sydney
For this month’s ‘Day in the Life,’ Sr Claire Dawson talks about living at Mount St, North Sydney.
In the video below, you’re invited to watch Sr Claire who spoke with Kath Norman (Communications Manager) of her wonderful memories of living at Mount St…
JJAMM 2020
Young JJAMM Leaders Use Mary and Julian as Inspiration
The JJAMM program guides our Student Leaders from our schools across Australia and New Zealand through a process. The foundation of our model for leadership is Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods. We explore how they worked together while reaching out to others in order to meet the needs of the poor.
With this in mind, JJAMM leaders for 2020 have partnered with Good Grief and The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) in order to meet the needs of those most excluded and traumatised in our Australian community.
No one needs to be reminded of the trauma and suffering bushfire victim families have experienced this summer season. The generosity of the Australian public, and indeed the world, inspires us to recall that our sense of community and compassion can be focussed and meaningful in times of such despair and danger. Such needs were not lost on our JJAMM leaders. It was decided that, as a group, the Schools represented by our JJAMM leaders would embark on an initiative partnered with Good Grief. The goal is to raise enough funds to enable qualified ‘Stormbirds‘ facilitators to travel to the bushfire devastated areas. They will train school teaching staff to help children, traumatised by their losses at the hands of the bushfires, manage, even overcome their grief. It is our aim to raise $5,000 and so enact this initiative. Further to this we hope to partner up with bushfire effected schools as an act of solidarity and perhaps lend a hand throughout the re-building process.
No one needs to be reminded of the trauma and suffering refugee families experience as a result of fleeing their war-torn birth country. Attempting to make a new life in a new land, namely Australia, can add to the refugees’ feeling of disempowerment, isolation and hopelessness. Resettling in Australia presents many challenges: navigating social services (tricky enough even when English is you first language and Australia your birth country); accessing necessities to make a home; learning English; finding employment. This is, in essence, starting over. Newly arrived refugee families long to be integrated, part of a community and foster friendships with Australian people. With this in mind, it is the goal of RCOA to host the #YearOfWelcome, where all Australians are asked to welcome refugees into the community and advocate for those still locked up on Manus Island. And so, JJAMM Leaders have elected to partner with RCOA and promote the Year of Welcome. The Leaders figured that if every student in their school were to take part in the Year of Welcome initiatives the outreach to school communities and families would number tens of thousands. It is our hope that raising awareness will contribute to the release of Manus Island Asylum Seekers as well as a more welcoming community for our newest Australian citizens – our newly arrived refugee families. Mary MacKillop said:“Little did [we] dream what was to spring from so small a beginning.” JJAMM Leaders dream and act for justice, knowing that our outreach is substantial.
The JJAMM gathering was an outstanding success. Once again the student leaders inspire us. If these young people are our future, then we are surely in good hands. The staff accompanying the students are as inspiring. These teachers have given up their weekend to participate and help supervise. Their energy and interest encourages the students to strive to make the world a better place. The Josephite Justice Network are privileged to be supported by such an outstanding dedicated group – true Josephites, seeing a need and taking action to meet the need and stand with the poor.
If you wish to make a donation to the JJAMM Stormbirds project email Sr Jan Barnett: jan.barnett@sosj.org.au
Karen Oxley
Students send welcome message #YearOfWelcome
Staff performing JJAMM Jingle recognising true leadership modelled by Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods
Photo gallery
Reflection on Mary MacKillop
From St Martha’s Home Leichhardt NSW, on 19 November 1925, Sister Mary Patricia Campbell reflects on Mary MacKillop’s care and love of her Sisters.
“A Sister was dying at Port Augusta. She was putting out a crude kerosene lamp in the church after evening devotions. The lamp burst and, in a moment, the poor Sister was in flames. She lingered for three or four days in great agony and each day kept asking for Mother Mary. The boat from Adelaide only went once a week, and at that time the nearest station to Port Augusta was Mount Remarkable. Mother Mary’s kind heart yearned to be with her dying child and in her distress, she said, ‘I shall go to Mount Remarkable and surely some kind people will drive me the rest of the journey.’ On arrival at the terminus she made fruitless efforts to get driven on; several farmers were in with their wheat, but all shook their sage heads at the prospect of driving to Port Augusta. They adjourned to the hotel and were having refreshments when Mother Mary walked in and said: ‘Gentlemen, my sister who is dying at Port Augusta, is constantly asking for me. If one of you will lend me a horse, I will ride there. Chivalry was not quite dead in those Celtic hearts. Two or three jumped up, got a pair of spanking horses and a buggy and drove her on that afternoon where she was in time to console the last moments of the dying Sister….” [1]