Connecting with Josephite Schools in the Bathurst Diocese
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in NSW, members of the Perthville Convent Heritage Committee have been visiting schools in the Bathurst Diocese founded by the Congregation. The primary schools were very interested in re-connecting with their Josephite charism. Sr Alice Sullivan and Sr Maureen Sanderson were the anchor in the […]
Irene McCormack Catholic College: Continuation of the Legacies of Sister Irene
To commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sister Irene McCormack (21 May 1991), we feature a reflection by Irene McCormack Catholic College. Irene McCormack Catholic College is a co-educational Year 7 to 12 secondary school which was established in 2000 by the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia in response to an increased demand […]
Walking with Jesus to Calvary
On the last day of term at Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College (Altona, Victoria), the entire College community stopped to retrace the final days of Jesus’ life which we refer to as the Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross. As we encountered each station, we creatively contemplated the situation before moving […]
Recognising Father Julian Tenison Woods at MacKillop Catholic College
MacKillop Catholic College in Mornington, Tasmania was founded in 1994. At that time the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office approached the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph to administer the College. In its inaugural year, the College was led by Br Tony Smith as principal, and Sr Louise Cotton. The Sisters of Saint Joseph […]
Celebrating Lent at Mount St Joseph’s College
In preparation for Ash Wednesday (22 February), the Mount St Joseph Girls’ College (MSJ) community in Victoria, hosted a ‘Burning of Palms Ceremony’ with Fr John Healy from Holy Trinity Parish. Fr John spoke about the meaning and rich symbolism of palm branches and their connection to Ash Wednesday. He explained that they remind us […]
Reporting on the Vagaries of Life
Report cards have always been a source of consternation for teachers, parents, and students of all ages. People familiar with Mary MacKillop’s Portland story would remember the furore that arose from the efforts of Mr Cusack to impress the school inspector with some clever behind the scenes prompting and a quick switch of the more […]
Celebrating 125 Years at Boulder, Western Australia
Over the weekend of 15-16 October, four Sisters of Saint Joseph, Dora Maguire, Frances Maguire, Kath Hitchcock and Pauline Dundon, and myself Sue Sondalini (the WA Archivist), met in Boulder in the WA goldfields, 600 kilometres to the east of Perth. We met to be part of the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the […]
Profile on Sr Josephine Mitchell – Former Teacher and Educator
For newly professed Sr Josephine Mitchell, her first teaching post in 1954 was in the small community of Burringbar located in the top eastern corner of NSW. “It took over 24 hours to get there on the train from Sydney,” says Josephine, now aged in her 90s.
Celebrating the Gift of Education
150 Years of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Education in NSW This Teacher’s Day (28 October) we come together to say ‘thank you’ and celebrate the contribution, achievements and leadership of teachers. It is an opportunity to take a moment to recognise the impact of educators in all our communities. Education is a ministry close […]
First Adelaide school opens in 1867
On 2 July 2022, the Sisters of Saint Joseph will celebrate 155 years since the opening of the first Josephite school in Adelaide, South Australia. “What,” they say, “can you expect from colonial girls, without any knowledge of a religious life, and no one to train them?”[1] Writing to Sister Mary MacKillop, Father Julian Tenison […]
Celebrating 130 Years of Education
A reflection by Sr Maureen McDermott rsj on an exceptional milestone and celebration. It was with a joyous and grateful heart that I journeyed home after the celebrations of 130 years of education at St Joseph’s School, Hillston, New South Wales on Tuesday 3 May. The celebrations began with Eucharist concelebrated by Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green […]
Father Julian Tenison Woods: A Passion for Education
Into the heart of Julian Tenison Woods, God placed a passion for learning. From his earliest years, Julain thoroughly enjoyed rambling at the seaside, in forests, over rocks or anywhere there was a discovery experience. He was reared in an environment where all lived a productive life with a strong work ethic and where knowledge […]