Julian Tenison Woods: A Life – Chapters 15th & 16th
August 7, 2020
Chapters 15th and 16th
Father Woods returned to Penola as he had arranged. Great was the sorrow of his parishioners on hearing that he was certainly leaving after Christmas…[1]
Preparations had to be made for the expected visit of the Bishop and for the Confirmation, which had been delayed several years, owing to the prolonged absence of the late Bishop. Many adults were to be confirmed and Father Woods was kept busy at work, but as we have already seen, he considered it ‘a perfect luxury to have plenty to do.’…[2]
On the day of the Bishop’s arrival, a party of the principal parishioners rode, or drove, out about twenty miles to meet him…A picnic to the curious caves of Struan in the limestone country of the Mosquito Plains had been arranged so that the Bishop and his scientific companion [Father J N Hinteroecker] should have an opportunity of inspecting those wonderful specimens of geology…[3] [Father Hinteroecker] and Father Woods became great friends – indeed the two priests were in many ways kindred spirits…[4]
During the visit of the Bishop, the school question was much discussed. His Lordship addressed Miss MacKillop as Sister Mary to the surprise of her friends, and henceforth she was known by that title.
The school, and indeed everything commenced by Father Woods, was all that could be desired by the Bishop.
At length, the long talked of parting came. On his last Sunday, Father Woods preached his farewell sermon amid the tears and sobs of his people…[5] It was a fearfully hot day and bush fires were prevalent. Penola is surrounded by forests and has had some extensive fires, being on more than one occasion in danger of total destruction.
Among his reminiscences, Father Woods told stories of the fires…[6] Father Woods had witnessed many a bush fire, and he had a grand one as a send-off. After leaving Penola, while ploughing through the dreary sand over the Victorian border, thick smoke enveloped the travellers but soon blazing trees added to their discomfort, crackling branches snapped off and fell in their way. …[7] Instead of going on to Portland, they stayed for the night at Dartmoor and continued their journey the next day…[8] The earnest naturalist, the scientist priest, the lover of the wild and the beautiful turned to a new and busier phase in his varied life.
Father Woods arrived in Melbourne on 16th February…[9] We hear of Father Woods preaching at St Francis’ on the evil of balls. There was a warship in the Bay and the Officers gave a ball. It was Lent – hence the sermon. He persuaded a noted family not to go, much to the annoyance of some young people.
Very few could resist his influence, yet he never seemed to try to induce others to adopt his opinions…[10] At the commencement of April he left for Adelaide…[11]
This extract is taken from:
Chapters 15th and 16th of Julian Tenison Woods: A Life has been used with the kind permission of the Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph 1997 and the publishers, St Paul’s Publications.
If you would like to read the full text, including an informative Introduction, footnotes and an index, this book is available online and from some Mary MacKillop Centres.
For locations and contact details visit the Josephite Books webpage.
Carmel Jones rsj
Footnotes:
[1] Chapter 15th, p. 76
[2] Chapter 15th, p. 76
[3] Chapter 15th, p. 77
[4] Chapter 15th, p. 80
[5] Chapter 15th, p. 81
[6] Chapter 15th, p.81
[7] Chapter 15th, p.82
[8] Chapter 15th, p. 82
[9] Chapter 16th, p. 83
[10] Chapter 16th, p. 85
[11] Chapter 16th, p. 85
Laudato Si’ Webinar: Part Four
July 16, 2020In May 2015 Pope Francis launched his encyclical with the subtitle “On Care for our Common Home” and the title “Laudato Si’” which are the opening words for a hymn composed by St Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.
For our time, this document is both relevant and important, since it highlights the priority that respect for the environment should have in Catholic life, and integrates the notion with what is central to our understanding of humanity’s relationship with God.
It is striking that many of the issues raised in Laudato Si’ find a parallel in the writings of Julian Tenison Woods. We can be proud of the fact that Julian Woods, as co-founder with Mary MacKillop, injected into the foundations of the Sisters of Saint Joseph a sense of the integration of spirituality and nature and set an example of science being a means of relationship with God. We remember, however, that he lived in a different time from us, and no-one is suggesting that his perceptions of creation and his world are the same as those of Pope Francis. But like a thread that runs through the whole garment, Julian’s words do illustrate his insights into a constant theme that can be traced from the Gospels to our era, and they, like those of Laudato Si’, can help us recognise these teachings as foundational to our faith.
In this five-part webinar, Sr Mary Cresp explores some of the parallels between the work of Pope Francis and Julian Tenison Woods. Sr Colleen Keeble assists her in the presentation.
You’re invited to watch the fourth part of the webinar below:
Consequences
So Small a Beginning: Part 4
July 8, 2020Sr Marie Foale speaks about the beginnings of the Institute of St Joseph for the Catholic education of poor children.
She believes that as a young Josephite growing up, she had a sense that one day Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods had made a spontaneous decision to found an order.
You’re invited to watch the fourth part of Sr Marie’s conference speech, ‘So Small a Beginning’ below…
Part 4
Julian Tenison Woods: A Life – Chapters 12th to 14th
July 7, 2020
Chapters 12th, 13th and 14th
Among the residents of Portland who became intimate friends of Father Woods was the MacKillop family. Mr MacKillop was the eldest brother of Mrs Alex Cameron of Penola Station, and Mrs MacKillop the sister of Mr D McDonald also of Penola…[1]
The Catholic School in Portland required a teacher and Miss MacKillop wrote to Father Woods on the subject. In reply, 30th August, 1863 he said: ‘I think if you can take it for a time, so much the better. You might, until the school here is vacant…’[2]
Miss MacKillop took the Portland School and remained much longer than at first seemed probable. Father Woods wrote to her very frequently….[3] Miss MacKillop was acquiring in the Portland school the experience and practical knowledge which fitted her for the work she was designed for…[4]
During this winter there was very great sickness in the district and the priests were kept busy attending to sick calls; yet Father Woods continued his scientific papers, receiving for them sufficient remuneration to enable him to purchase a stock of medicines for the poor. This was a great pleasure to him, though not to the doctor, who was often indignant at the loss of patients.
But it was those who could ill afford medical aid who became the special object of the priest’s solicitude; and there are yet living many who were cured by him when no other treatment was successful…[5]
Towards the end of the year … [6] Father Woods wrote to Miss MacKillop, asking could she come at once to commence the school so long talked of; or, if that were impossible, could her sister come to open the school for the present.
The sister did so and commenced school in St Joseph’s Church with twelve children. The young teacher lived with her uncle and aunt until Miss MacKillop could come. This she did as soon as possible, intending to take a cottage and carry on the school therein; Father Woods agreeing with her that this school should be on purely Catholic principles.
However, it was impossible to rent a cottage for the purpose, therefore, a six-stalled stable was renovated by removing the stalls, flooring and lining the building, thus making a decent temporary school, a cottage being rented by Miss MacKillop for residence.
The new room was not ready until March – meanwhile the school was carried on in St Joseph’s Church…[7]
The condition of the aboriginals attracted much attention…[8] There was great mortality among the blacks that year, and Father Woods was busy mixing medicines, and attending to their temporal wants …[9]
What might have been done had Father Woods remained longer we know not…[10] but his days in the South East were nearly over, his peaceful quiet life was to come to an end…[11]
The Right Rev. L. B. Sheil, O.S.F., Archdeacon of Ballarat …[12] was consecrated Bishop of Adelaide on the 15th August, 1866 in the Church of St Francis, Melbourne…[13] This was an important event in the life of Father Woods… [14]
He wrote …[15] The Bishop has asked me to come into town as his secretary…[16] It is decided now that I leave Penola after Christmas…[17] Surely God will draw good out of it all…[18]
On 19th September, he wrote to Miss MacKillop:
You will see by the papers that the die is cast and all our arrangements are made …[19] I am appointed Director General of Catholic Education, Chairman of the Board and Inspector of Schools throughout the diocese. I am also His Lordship’s Secretary…[20] All my pain at leaving Penola, and all the bitter regret I should feel at leaving so many and such friends is more than compensated for by having the sole control of Catholic Education placed in my hands.
This extract is taken from:
Chapters 12th, 13th and 14th of Julian Tenison Woods: A Life has been used with the kind permission of the Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph 1997 and the publishers, St Paul’s Publications.
If you would like to read the full text, including an informative Introduction, footnotes and an index, this book is available online and from some Mary MacKillop Centres.
For locations and contact details visit the Josephite Books webpage.
Carmel Jones rsj
Footnotes:
[1] Chapter 12th, p. 55
[2] Chapter 12th, p. 59
[3] Chapter 12th, p. 59
[4] Chapter 12th, p. 60
[5] Chapter 12th, p. 65
[6] Chapter 13th, p. 67
[7] Chapter 13th, p. 67
[8] Chapter 13th, p. 68
[9] Chapter 13th, p. 69
[10] Chapter 13th, p. 70
[11] Chapter 13th, p. 70
[12] Chapter 14th, p. 71
[13] Chapter 14th, p. 71
[14] Chapter 14th, p. 71
[15] Chapter 14th, p. 73
[16] Chapter 14th, p. 73
[17] Chapter 14th, p. 74
[18] Chapter 14th, p. 74
[19] Chapter 14th, p. 75
[20] Chapter 14th, p. 75
Laudato Si’ Webinar: Part Three
June 18, 2020In May 2015 Pope Francis launched his encyclical with the subtitle “On Care for our Common Home” and the title “Laudato Si’” which are the opening words for a hymn composed by St Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.
For our time, this document is both relevant and important, since it highlights the priority that respect for the environment should have in Catholic life, and integrates the notion with what is central to our understanding of humanity’s relationship with God.
It is striking that many of the issues raised in Laudato Si’ find a parallel in the writings of Julian Tenison Woods. We can be proud of the fact that Julian Woods, as co-founder with Mary MacKillop, injected into the foundations of the Sisters of Saint Joseph a sense of the integration of spirituality and nature and set an example of science being a means of relationship with God. We remember, however, that he lived in a different time from us, and no-one is suggesting that his perceptions of creation and his world are the same as those of Pope Francis. But like a thread that runs through the whole garment, Julian’s words do illustrate his insights into a constant theme that can be traced from the Gospels to our era, and they, like those of Laudato Si’, can help us recognise these teachings as foundational to our faith.
In this five-part webinar, Sr Mary Cresp explores some of the parallels between the work of Pope Francis and Julian Tenison Woods. Sr Colleen Keeble assists her in the presentation.
You’re invited to watch the third part of the webinar below:
Connection
So Small a Beginning: Part 3
June 8, 2020Sr Marie Foale speaks about the beginnings of the Institute of St Joseph for the Catholic education of poor children.
She believes that as a young Josephite growing up, she had a sense that one day Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods had made a spontaneous decision to found an order.
You’re invited to watch the third part of Sr Marie’s conference speech, ‘So Small a Beginning’ below…
Part 3
Julian Tenison Woods: A Life – Chapters 9th to 11th
June 7, 2020
Chapters 9, 10 and 11
After the death of the Bishop [Murphy], the diocese was administered by the Vicar General, Father Ryan… [He] was well acquainted with the staunch old Catholics most of them Scotch – in the Penola district. [1]
Mr Cameron was the squatter who owned Penola Station and gave the land on which the church was built… The rich squatters could educate their families without much difficulty, but the poorer classes who were employed by them, and the trades people who began to settle around, were unable to procure teachers for their children.[2]
The zealous pastor [Father Julian Tenison Woods] made many attempts to get instructors. [3]
Dr Geoghegan, Vicar General of Melbourne, succeeded Dr Murphy… The new Bishop ‘took possession of his See on the Feast of All Saints, and ‘commenced a crusade for Catholic Education,’ says Cardinal Moran. This gave great satisfaction to Father Woods… The first Bishop of Adelaide had rejected state aid to Religion; the second determined if possible to obtain the abolition of state aid to any school. Let everyone support his own school, then there would be no necessity for an Education Grant… [4]
The Bishop visited [the South East] in June… [He] gave a short Mission, and spoke of the necessity of Catholic Schools at every place he visited… greatly to the satisfaction of Father Woods… [5]
The memory of Father Woods seems embalmed in the district. During the ten years he attended it, his advice was sought by people of all classes, and his correspondence became very large. Whoever wrote to him was sure of a courteous reply. Many letters are still in existence on various subjects, and all charming reading. What a many-sided mind the man must have had. [6]
In all his labours and troubles, however, he still found time for his scientific pursuits… Before he was removed from Penola, he had become Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Fellow of the Geological Society, of the Linnean Society, of the Royal Society of Victoria, Honorary Member of several Institutes and President of one. He humorously said he had an alphabet after his name… [7]
Visitors to Penola were delighted with the many specimens of stone he possessed, as well as with his beautiful garden where choice and rare shrubs flourished around the stone church of St Joseph. These beautiful plants and trees had been brought many a mile and much care was bestowed on them… [8]
The Education Question had always been a source of anxiety, a cause of contention in every part of Australia. Bishop Murphy struggled hard (as did each Bishop in his turn) to secure education for the Catholic children. At one time, his Lordship thought he would try to get a few Sisters of Mercy for Adelaide, but there was no money available to send to Europe… [9]
On the Feast of All Saints in the same year, the first ‘Pastoral Address of the Archbishop and Bishops of Australia’ was published. (The Synod was held in October.) The Pastoral contained these words:
For reasons obvious to every well-instructed Catholic, we must have for our children Catholic schools, Catholic teachers, and, as far as we can supply them, Catholic books. Catholics must secure for their children above all things a religious education…Their children must, in school, breathe a Catholic atmosphere. [10]
What pleasure this pastoral gave earnest Catholics may be easily imagined; it must have given great encouragement to the priests. [11]
This extract is taken from:
Chapters 9th, 10th and 11th of Julian Tenison Woods: A Life has been used with the kind permission of the Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph 1997 and the publishers, St Paul’s Publications.
If you would like to read the full text, including an informative Introduction, footnotes and an index, this book is available online and from some Mary MacKillop Centres.
For locations and contact details visit the Josephite Books webpage.
Carmel Jones rsj
Footnotes:
[1] Chapter 9th, pp. 40-41
[2] Chapter 9th, p. 41
[3] Chapter 9th, p. 41
[4] Chapter 10th, p. 45
[5] Chapter 10th, p. 50
[6] Chapter 10th, p. 50
[7] Chapter 10th, p. 51
[8] Chapter 10th, p. 51
[9] Chapter 11th, p. 52
[10] Chapter 11th, p. 54
[11] Chapter 11th, p. 54
Laudato Si’ Webinar: Part Two
May 14, 2020In May 2015 Pope Francis launched his encyclical with the subtitle “On Care for our Common Home” and the title “Laudato Si’” which are the opening words for a hymn composed by St Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.
For our time, this document is both relevant and important, since it highlights the priority that respect for the environment should have in Catholic life, and integrates the notion with what is central to our understanding of humanity’s relationship with God.
It is striking that many of the issues raised in Laudato Si’ find a parallel in the writings of Julian Tenison Woods. We can be proud of the fact that Julian Woods, as co-founder with Mary MacKillop, injected into the foundations of the Sisters of Saint Joseph a sense of the integration of spirituality and nature and set an example of science being a means of relationship with God. We remember, however, that he lived in a different time from us, and no-one is suggesting that his perceptions of creation and his world are the same as those of Pope Francis. But like a thread that runs through the whole garment, Julian’s words do illustrate his insights into a constant theme that can be traced from the Gospels to our era, and they, like those of Laudato Si’, can help us recognise these teachings as foundational to our faith.
In this five-part webinar, Sr Mary Cresp explores some of the parallels between the work of Pope Francis and Julian Tenison Woods. Sr Colleen Keeble assists her in the presentation.
You’re invited to watch the second part of the webinar below:
Window Creation