In Footsteps of Founders, Honouring Tim Fischer
September 13, 2019Honouring our Founding and remembering Tim Fischer, Boree Creek, Riverina, NSW.
On Saturday 31 August, on a sudden impulse, we decided to drive from Leeton to nearby Boree Creek for morning tea. With the moving State tribute to Tim Fischer still fresh in our minds, it seemed like a good idea to honour him by going to experience the place he grew up in and loved.
We were thoughtful on the way. Golden canola stretching as far as the horizon. Young wheat too, firm and strong.
Julian would have loved this, besotted as he was with the beautiful, always aware of the Presence of the Creator in the created. A sense rises inside: “We are experiencing his type of amazement!”
The Time is Now and We are Here
September 12, 2019I’ve been thinking about this quotation a great deal in recent days, as we’ve witnessed the Australian Prime Minister ignoring the pleas of Pacific Islander peoples, and simultaneously been encouraged to celebrate the Season of Creation. Perhaps the most challenging dilemma facing us however is the call to take action in the worldwide climate action on the 20 September.
Begun by young Swedish student, Greta Thunberg, the School Strike 4 Climate Action invites students (and indeed all people across the world) to join in rallies and marches on 20 September to express concern for the climate crisis facing us.
The time is truly now and we are here. The dilemma is – How are we to respond?
There is little doubt that the School Strike 4 Climate Action has created dilemmas for many schools and families. The idea of encouraging young people to strike runs counter to many of our beliefs about the importance of education, and the need for religious and educational groups to support the law.
It is hard however, to argue with the fundamental message of the young activists, that they are taking action because governments won’t.
The Josephite Justice Network supports the young people who will take part in the strike and Josephites will join them and their families on the 20 September. There are a number of reasons we have come to this decision:
- Laudato Si’ reminds us of the critical time in which we live – the imperative to celebrate the beauty of creation, and the associated call to commit to doing something about the climate crisis facing us
- Pope Francis constantly calls the world to conversion towards caring for the state of the planet
- Australian farmers (through drought, floods and bushfires of record severity), our Pacific neighbours, and the Great Barrier are already experiencing the negative impact of the climate crisis
- Even as we witness the acceleration of climate change, we know that it is those who are most defenceless who are most immediately affected
- Climate change is a clear global threat and the Australian Government is refusing to act
- The demands of engaged young people are both indisputable and informed, and need to be respected
- We believe that it is imperative, at this time, to support efforts being taken to counter the denials and rampant inaction of the government.
- Choosing the format of a strike will alert Australians, in ways no other action has, to the crisis facing our world
- It is our belief that we, as religious educators and inheritors of the Mary MacKillop tradition, need to back the initiatives of young people on the issue of climate change, and that includes supporting the global climate strike
- When we’re dead and gone, it will be the present generations of young people who will bear the brunt of this crisis.
Josephites will be participating in the school strike on the Friday 20 September. In Sydney, if you wish to join us, we will be on the Art Gallery side of the Domain at 11:45am. Other states and countries will inform you of their plans or you can find out here. We encourage all those who are part of the Mary MacKillop tradition to support those taking part in the global strike.
We can express our support in a number of ways. We can support the rallies and the importance of safe, non-violent and appropriate action. We can express our concern for the impact of climate change and engage in conversation in our families and communities. We can hold prayer rituals and liturgies on 20 September to celebrate the beauty of creation and lament the devastation being caused by our refusal to combat the climate crisis. We can continue to find and speak hope in the efforts of the prophetic witnesses among us.
If you wish to engage further, the following could be helpful:
- Leonardo Di Caprio exposes the reality of climate change in the National Geographic documentary
- The young Swedish student, Greta Thunberg, who initiated the School strikes, is a prophetic voice for action in the current crisis in in her Ted Talk in January 2019.
Neither modern society nor most governments acknowledge at this time that the carefully balanced web of life can’t be exploited without critical consequences. As Christians and as Josephites, we believe that we are impelled to act.
Jan Barnett rsj
Josephite Justice Co-ordinator
Image: Earth justice sign by John Cameron obtained from Unsplash. Used with permission.
A Day in the Life: Sounds of Pastoral Ministry
September 8, 2019Pastoral care is a ministry full of sound. Sounds can be heard in many ways, most certainly through the ears and through the heart.
My ministry in pastoral care and graphic design/marketing at Mount St Joseph, Milperra requires me to listen in many ways. No two days are the same. Each day I walk into the day with an open grateful heart. So, how does this happen, what does it sound like?…
At 5am I hear my alarm clock burst forth with its rhythmic chimes. Next, I read the scripture of the day, hearing my heart connect to God’s word, my thoughts chug forward like a kayaker padding one stroke at a time (some mornings the paddling is slower than others!). Opening my heart to Gods word gives me a focus. I make a conscious choice not to look at email or other messages on my phone. Soon, I usually hear my shoes lacing and my feet touching the pavement, I gaze at the stars and thank God for the gift of this day. I run, reflect on scripture, pray for those in need and simply listen to where my heart is being drawn. As Mary MacKillop reminds us: “Listen to the whispering of God to your own heart.” Making time to listen gives me space to re-centre and enter the day with my heart being raised to God, open and ready to Listen.
It is near impossible to describe an average day in a secondary school. For me, it’s a joy to step into the unknown. And if you try to plan too much, well, you’re kidding yourself! As I drive to school I may listen to an audiobook, podcast, music or simply have silence. Many faith traditions focus on listening and opening to God. We can follow our Christian roots back to Judaism remembering the Shema prayer (Listen here): To hear each day with vulnerability, truly listening with courage to God in our lives today. We see instruction to listen and how to live faith in Deut 6:4-9 in a form of law on the heart.
My key soon unlocks my office door, click, my eyes adjust to the light, my computer boots up, emails chime through. Soon, I hear the hot water hit my cup, I usually chat with a staff member or two as we paddle through the early morning. Soon, “good morning” streams in my ears while I stand outside greeting our students and staff. I’m conscious to remind my heart to hear the sound of courage and kindness. Sometimes a conversation follows, I might hear the sound of teenage girl chatter, or feel my heart smile for all the beautiful faces walking through our school gate.
Walking the halls between meetings, popping in on classes, ………
Jane Maisey rsj
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Australian National Pilgrimage
Each year since 1994, the Sisters of Saint Joseph have offered the people of Australia the opportunity to go on pilgrimage, “Walking in the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop”.
Several weeks ago I received a phone call from a person who was interested in participating in the national pilgrimage entitled “In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop”. One of the questions asked was about the itinerary and what a typical day during the time of pilgrimage would consist of.
As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that in the enquirer’s mind the words pilgrimage and tour were synonymous. This however, is not the case. There is significant difference between the two words. To a degree the day-to-day routine does look as though people are tourists enjoying a trip. There is the getting on and off the coach; meeting new people; journeying with an interesting combination of personalities; receiving information about significant sites; opportunities to purchase mementoes of places visited. This is however, where the similarities end.
So what then is a pilgrimage? It is a journey to a sacred place which takes the pilgrim out of her or his usual day-to-day routine into a sacred time and space. Some would say that the time of pilgrimage is a liminal time, “an in between time”, a graced time allowing for the possibility of transformation in a pilgrim’s life.
As Macrina Wiederkehr writes in her book Behold Your Life:
Each year the Sisters of Saint Joseph offer people the opportunity to journey in the footstep of St Mary MacKillop, by visiting places of significance in her journey of listening and responding to her God. This journey is an invitation to see, listen and reflect on Mary’s relationship with God and her ability to trust implicitly in God to provide in all things. The journey will be filled with challenges, joys, disappointments, frustrations, unexpected delights…. God is there gently calling the pilgrim by name to enter more deeply into relationship with
Mary as guide and inspiration. Pilgrims are invited to reflect on where they see God in their journey; to what is God calling her or him and how they respond in trust to God as did Mary.
Returning from the time of pilgrimage the pilgrim is changed. She or he is open to responding more deeply to the word of which each is a part; more aware of the presence of God with and in them and in all creation.
Our pilgrimage for 2019 commences in Melbourne on 22 October and concludes in Sydney on 2 November. If you would like to join us please email us for further information and/or to request an Application Form.
Information is also available on the Mary MacKillop Place website.
Annie Bond rsj
Fr Julian: Man of Words – Letter Eight
Despite all his other commitments, Father Julian Tenison Woods wanted people in the Catholic community to be aware of what was concerning and influencing the Catholic Church in the 1860s. This month we explore his role as editor of the first Catholic journal in South Australia.
In the 21st century there are multiple ways for Australian Catholics to find out what is affecting the Church throughout our country and world. This was not the case in South Australia in the latter part of the 19th century. Father Julian Tenison Woods was convinced that Catholics needed to be aware of happenings relevant to the Church in Europe as well as locally. Despite all his other commitments, he and local Vicar General, Father Patrick Russell produced a newspaper that provided much-needed communication in a way that seems to have been respected by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Year of Indigenous Languages: Dutch and Gaelic
The United Nations has declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. To celebrate, for each month this year, you’re invited to view greetings for different languages.
For September we feature the languages Dutch and Gaelic:
Dutch
Taal is niet alleen belangrijk voor communicatie maar het vormt ook een belangrijk onderdeel van je afkomst, identiteit en culturele waarden en normen. Je moederstaal is soms de enige manier om precies uit te drukken hoe je je voelt. Mijn wens is dat iedereen zich in dit jaar meer bewust wordt van het belang van het behoud van je eigen identiteit, je eigen taal, waar ook ter wereld.
Language is not only important for communication but it also is an essential part of your inheritance, identity and cultural values and beliefs. Your native tongue is sometimes the only way to express exactly how you feel. My wish is that this year everyone becomes more aware of the importance to cherish and value your own identity, your own language, no matter where you are in the world.
Gaelic
Tá fáilte romhat! – You’re welcome!
Go mbeannaí Dia dhuit! – May God bless you!
To find out more on the International Year of Indigenous Languages, visit their website below:
International Year of Indigenous Languages
Photo Dutch Windmill by Mabel Amber obtained Pixabay. Used with permission.
I Have No Hands Now But Yours
September 6, 2019In this month’s reflection from the Little Brown Book Too, authors Sue and Leo Kane invite us to reflect on Saint Mary MacKillop’s deep love for those who lived in poverty.
Mary saw herself as blessed by the poor! Just as the Sisters named in this reflection were inspired by Mary’s love in action, we too are invited – and challenged – to live in Mary’s spirit today.
Mary certainly did this in her own life. ‘Our dear Foundress had an unparalleled love for God’s poor. I don’t think I’ve met any person with such great love for the poor,’ recalled Sister Cataldus*.
Sister Denis** fills out the picture: ‘One day. I happened to be her companion in Kent Street, Sydney. It seemed to me as if a great many poor people came to us in different parts of the street as we passed along. Many of them said, “God bless you.”
Mother said to me: “I love to get the blessing of these poor people.”
Mary understood that, deep down, we all have to face our own poverty. She had a real affinity with the poor, so much so that she saw herself as receiving from them. And, like Jesus, she set out to show them their own worth, while also assisting in practical ways.
In the tough environment of colonial Australia, Mary and her Sisters brought help to many in great need. Some even lived in tents on the goldfields among the miners. They valued and loved the poor.
We reflect today about what that means for us, especially in the affluent culture in which we now live.
The above reflection is an extract from The Little Brown Book Too, pages 34-35
© Sue and Leo Kane 2011
Used with the kind permission of the publishers, St Paul’s Publications
Available on line and from Mary MacKillop Centres —
Click here for locations and contact details
Download the print version of this reflection (PDF)
Art: © Hongbin Zhao
The artist has written:
Mary MacKillop’s commitment to the service of those in need knew no boundaries. She was willing to go anywhere she could be of help. She and her Sisters also happily endured the living conditions of the people they helped and the children they taught. I have depicted Mary in the goldfileds with a group of children, bringing them hope and support in a difficult situation.
From: Mary MacKillop: A Tribute: © Honeysett Press, NSW 1995, page 79
Josephites Got Talent
September 5, 2019
The talents of wonderful Josephite students from six high schools across New South Wales were shared on Friday 30 August in the first-ever Josephites Got Talent.
It was an epic display of the Josephite community and charism, as well as the immensely-talented youth! Holy Spirit Lakemba was so generous to host the event in their auditorium, which served as the perfect location for performers, Josephite sisters, teachers, principals, family and friends to join together and watch the many acts of the night.
Masters of Ceremony, Emmanuel Garley and Jessika Lembryk, had the crowd dancing and laughing, and made for a truly fun night. Every single act of the night was inarguably astounding. From piano solos and dance troupes to singers and cultural dancers, it seemed to everyone that the judges had an incredibly tough decision ahead of them. The conclusion was made, and a just one at that, that every single school would receive a trophy.
Social Justice Awards were also awarded to six students, one from each respective school. The award recipients include Jackson Lantry, Maya T-Vega, Christiane Nakhle, Laura Mercer and Joelle Sassine. These students were acknowledged for their consistent dedication to social justice within their school and wider community, and a true embodiment of the Josephite spirit.
The night was an incredible opportunity for forming new friendships, learning about other cultures, and appreciating the wide variety of talents these students are blessed with. Such positive community events are a shining beacon of the Josephite legacy and are an example of how much good can come into the world from spreading happiness, joy and love with everyone we encounter.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in the organisation and coordination of the event, and to all six schools:
- Holy Spirit Catholic College, Lakemba
- Mount St Joseph, Milperra
- Holy Spirit College, Bellambi
- St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford
- Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Wakeley
- MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale.
Mikaela Jago
Year 11 Student
Mount St Joseph, Milperra