Dianne’s Life Commitment
On Sunday 24 February 2019, the sisters gathered in the chapel at St Joseph’s Convent Kensington (South Australia), and burst into joyous song with “Come sing out our joy to our God.” They were celebrating the fact that their dear friend, colleague, Associate and Affiliate – Dianne Colborne – was making her Life Commitment as […]
A Day in the Life: Aboriginal Ministry
This month you’re invited to read about Sr Kathryn’s Aboriginal Ministry. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) tentatively began in the Diocese of Lismore at Bowraville with the arrival of Fr Bernie Ryan sm around 1990, the same time that three aboriginal children in Bowraville were murdered, a case that is still unresolved. Some years later […]
A Reflection on Life Vows
Celebration of Dianne Colborne’s Final Commitment As part of Dianne Colborne’s Final Commitment celebrations, Sr Emilie Cattalini gave a talk on her Reflection on Life Vows. This is what a monk once wrote in his journal: “Dance in the sun, you tepid idiot. Wake up and dance in the clarity of perfect contradictions, you fool. […]
Eucharist at the Heart of Mary’s Life
Josephite Justice Network Gathering: March 2025
The Josephite Justice Network (JJN) gathering for March 2025 was held at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills in Norwest (Sydney) from Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March. Josephite Sisters, Companions, organisational partners and guest speakers from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand were all present. Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s description of hope as “the thing […]
Conversion of St Paul
We commemorate the feast of the Conversion of St Paul (previously named Saul) on 25 January annually. On the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was turned upside down and inside out. Usually referred to as his ‘conversion’, it has been described by one scholar as “the intervention by the risen Christ into Paul’s interior […]
International Day of Education
We must teach more by example than by word. Mary MacKillop 1867 The International Day of Education, held annually on 24 January, is a global day that raises awareness about the importance of inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. Access to education can help children and young people escape a life of poverty, reduce inequalities, […]
Feast of St Francis Xavier
Sr Virginia shares a reflection for the feast of St Francis Xavier, 3 December, missioner in Asia and formerly patron of Australia. I first ‘met’ Francis the day I entered religious life in 1963 and received the religious name ‘Xavier’. It was the day Paul VI became Pope. Soon after, the local parish priest loaned […]
Hugo’s Starting to Thrive
For the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), St Anthony’s Family Care* shares a reflection by Anna on the difference Figtree Early Learning Centre is making for her son Hugo. Our St Anthony’s Family Care journey has just begun, but already it has become a beacon of support and warmth for our son […]
Prison Ministry
Each year on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Prison Sunday, bringing attention to the plight of prisoners and highlighting the important work that prison chaplains undertake. (Catholic Australia) For this day, this year observed on 10 November, Marcia Cox rsj shares a reflection on her experience in prison ministry. […]
Julian Tenison Woods: A many-sided mind
Photo of Julian Tenison Woods taken in Perak, Malay Peninsula in 1883. Father Julian Tenison Woods died on 7 October 1889. He was in his fifty-seventh year and extremely unwell. Julian had returned to Sydney after extensive and exhausting field work in parts of Australasia and the Northern Territory. Many of the letters and reports […]
Social Justice Statement 2024-25: Truth. Trust. Peace.
Members of the Josephite Justice Network (JJN) attended the Parramatta Diocese launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, on 20 August. Bishop Vincent Long reminded us that this violence is not so distant, as our neighbours in West Papua and Myanmar are […]