Attentive to the Sacred,

the Evolving Universe,

Relationships of Compassion.

 

 

St Joseph’s by the Sea is a gathering and accommodation place for all who seek to:

  • nurture contemplation
  • explore and celebrate the wonders of the Universe and Earth
  • nourish body, mind and spirit.
  • develop just and respectful relationships.
  • live into new ways of being.
What's On at St Joseph's By The Sea

Reflexology Clinic – Circle of Light

We are delighted to offer those needing special consideration a Reflexology for relaxation service in our Wholistic Room here in the beautiful environment of SJBTS. Available very second Friday. To book your treatment please contact Jodie 0413 881 462

For information and dates click link to see flyer

Reiki Clinic – Circle of Light

 

Come and experience the healing touch of Reiki. We are delighted to offer those needing special consideration a Reiki for relaxation service in our Wholistic Room here in the beautiful environment of SJBTS. To book your treatment please contact Christine 0420 715 259

For information and dates click link to see flyer

 

 

Bees Wax Wrap Workshop – Thursday 18 April -10am

 

Here at St Josephs by the Sea we are committed to finding ways to live more environmentally friendly. We will be holding and teaching participant to make their own bees wax wraps. These wraps are a great alternative to using plastic wrap in the kitchen.

Facilitated by Carmel and Sharon
Morning tea provided. Cost $ 20

 

 

How are we Treasuring our Later Years?
Wednesday 18th September -1030am – 330pm

-Presenter – Nicole Rotaru rsm

The second half of life’, our later years continue to hold potential. We bring a wealth of experiences to treasure and to share with others. We are also open to new opportunities, to come alive in new ways.
This one-day workshop will explore the following themes that are part of our journey:

Adjustment ~ Transformation ~ Fulfilment

Nicole Rotaru is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. For some time she has had a particular interest in the ‘second half of life’ that has its fill of joys and challenges. She has enjoyed offering workshops for older folk for a number of years and valued learning from their experiences. These learnings as well as reflection on her own life and reading, inform the workshops she continues to offer.

Morning tea provided, please BYO lunch. Cost $30

 

Lending Library

Our Library at St Joseph’s By the Sea has an extensive collection of books of a spiritual nature including Eco-spirituality, Scripture, Aboriginal Spirituality Theology as well as art, fiction and magazines like Earth Song, Madonna, NGV magazines and spirituality in daily life.

These are all available for borrowing. Please ask a member of our staff should you wish to take a book home to read.

 

Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined Commitment to Safeguarding Approved by CLT

Event Registration

Accommodation

Williamstown Accommodation by the Sea

Double Room
En Suite
Single Room
En Suite
Communal Kitchen
Dining Room
Hall way
Library

St Joseph’s By The Sea has six modern single and double accommodation rooms with en suites.

  • Spacious rooms with tranquil leafy outlook.
  • Beautifully appointed modern bathrooms.
  • Stylish desk and chair.
  • All linen is supplied.
  • Wheelchair accessibility.
  • Rooms are air conditioned and access to Wi-Fi.
  • Perfect space to nourish body, mind and spirit.
  • Elegant common kitchen, dining room and lounge area.
  • Laundry facilities are available.
  • Accommodation Room Rate $150 per night.
  • Light breakfast provisions included.

Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined Commitment to Safeguarding Approved by CLT

*** Please ring our office if your accommodation request is within 5 days of your suggested arrival date. 9397 6012

Accommodation Enquiry

Meeting and Conference Rooms

Williamstown Meeting Rooms by the Sea

Chapel Room
Chapel Room
Chapel Room
Bay Room
Lounge Room
Blue Room
Blue Room

Meeting Rooms

St Joseph’s by the Sea has several meeting rooms and breakout out areas for hire from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm daily.

Our main meeting rooms have views of the Bay, natural lighting, reverse cycle air conditioning and access to Wi-Fi.

  • Chapel Room holds 50 people, with Smart TV facility, $500 per day
  • Bay Room with bay view holds 25 people, with Smart TV facility, $350 per day
  • Blue room holding 10 people for $150 per day
  • Tables, Chairs and Whiteboard available for use.
  • Tea, coffee and kitchen facilities available.

We offer opportunities tailored to your needs.

Please submit enquiry and we will confirm the availability in due course.

Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined Commitment to Safeguarding Approved by CLT

Please fill out all fields if no postal address is required on your invoice, please make N/A. Thank you.

Conference Room Enquiry

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Retreats

St Joseph’s by the Sea is an ideal environment for a retreat. Those wishing to have a time of silence and prayer are welcome to book into this facility at a time convenient to you. There is opportunity to arrange a retreat to suit yourself. To enjoy a day or days where you relax and have time for yourself. The arrangement for these days is that we provide tea, coffee and breakfast but you need to provide other meals. There are facilities for cooking here. Williamstown is renowned for their eating places.

We also host Retreats throughout the year which are fully catered. Our 2024 Retreats are now open for booking, please fill out an online booking form to book your spot in our 2024 Retreats. See below for dates and a link to more information.

Retreat Dates 2024

7-14 April 2024 (Fully Booked)
Easter to Ascension The Presence and Absence of Jesus
Jennifer Scally rsj
$800

5-12 May 2024 (Fully Booked)
My Heart is Longing for you
Maureen McDermott rsj
$800

2-9 June 2024
Art As Prayer
Directed by Therese Quinn rsj
$800

18-25 August 2024
Directed Retreat
Therese Quinn rsj and Jenny Scally rsj
$850

22-29 September 2024
The Strength of a Women’s Witness
Therese Quinn rsj
$800

20-27 October 2024
Connecting with The Mystery of Earth’s Love
Elaine Smith rsj and Carmel Crameri rsj
$800

Click here for a full description of our 2024 Retreats.

Look at the birds… Consider the flowers… Matthew 6:26,28

Please submit form below to register for one of our 2024 Retreats.

Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined Commitment to Safeguarding Approved by CLT

Retreat Enquiry

  • DD slash MM slash YYYY
Ecological Activites

 

Arbour
Garden
Vege Garden
Vege Garden

 

Gardening

Gardening is an active participation in the deepest mysteries of the Universe. Thomas Berry

In 2016, preparing for the seed to be sown…

In 2020, working on The Permaculture Principles of Organic Gardening, we have transformed our garden into using ‘No dig’ systems that utilizes all composting materials – cardboard, papers, prunings and lawn cuttings….

In developing the garden, we hope it will be a space of beauty and celebration. Our garden enhances the activities of the Centre with our veggies and fruits central to our menu.

The sacredness of this space reflect the sacredness in all life that surrounds us – the birds, the sea creatures, the ancient sheoak, the lava blister, the human.

Worm Farms

We delight in our worms in our gardens. They are an efficient way to reduce household waste and provide nutrient rich fertilizer for the garden.

We have two large worm farms and are now putting “worm homes” straight into our garden beds.

Educating heart and mind in the Cosmological approach to the 13.7-billion-year Universe Story

We do this through:

  • Earth Rituals
  • Contemplative Reflections
  • Earth Retreats
  • Workshops

Visible Sustainability Practices at our Centre

  • Regular assessing of our strategic plan.
  • House recycling and compost bins
  • Utilizing natural and environmentally friendly products for our cleaning purposes.
  • Craft Workshops teaching how to create environmental ways of doing things. e.g. Beeswax Wraps
  • Less/no use of single use plastics.
  • We have reflective quotes in the garden and throughout the Centre.

The Song of The Bay is heard by every listener.
Our Mission is living in relationship with Earth, our home, celebrating the wonders of the Universe and Earth, by living in an awareness of our Earth friendly environment.
History and Local Environment

Many millions of years ago, Williamstown was alive with volcanic activity. Lava flowed from the vents of hundreds of surrounding volcanoes into Port Phillip Bay.As lava flowed to the shoreline, gases in the lava built up and created a large bubble. This formation is extremely rare and has fascinated geologists the world over. Victoria’s basalt plains form one of the largest lave plains in the world.

Plenty long ago the Yalukit-Willam came to live in the coastal lands around Port Phillip. They called the Williamstown area Koort-boork-boork. This means a clump of many she-oak trees.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph were invited to Williamstown in July 1900 when the FCJ Sisters who had been travelling from Vaucluse Richmond withdrew from the school.

In 1927 the Sisters purchased the home “Tulliallan” built by sea captain James Ogilvie. This then came to be known as St. Joseph’s Convent at 16 Esplanade.

A community was sent for Williamstown last week… The school was opened yesterday with an attendance of 170. Not a bad beginning!
Mary MacKillop 1900
Little Shop

Our Little Shop

Our little shop is more than just a funding space. We have supported asylum seekers, aboriginal ministries and those who need our support. However, our little shop creates links between the garden, our craft group, and the community.

Our craft group makes and supplies items for our shop. Our garden produce is used to make jams. Along with donations from the community we also stock jewelry from Africa, which helps support the women who make these. Clients who use the facility often revisit us to buy a little gift from our Little shop.

Little Shop
Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is available at St Joseph’s by the Sea.

Spiritual direction is a process by which one person journeys contemplatively with another who is seeking to discern God’s presence (however God is named) in the everyday experience of their life, thus enhancing growth in intimacy with God, and right relationship with all creation.

Spiritual Directors are welcome to use our space.

There where we are we find God.
Mary MacKillop 1871

For further information please call St Joseph’s by the Sea on (03) 9397 6012

Photo Gallery
Water Outlook
Blue Room
Double Room
Single Room
Front
Bay Room
En-suite
Stained Glass Doors
Dinning Room
Stained Glass Windows
Front
Chapel Room
Communal Kitchen
Library
Ensuite
Contact Us

St Joseph’s By The Sea

Acknowledgement of First Peoples

We pause to recall the millions of year of ocean and land emergence which eventually gave birth to the many life forms.

We acknowledge with respect and wonder, the traditional custodians of this sacred land on which St Joseph’s By The Sea stands. The Yalukit-William of the Boon Wurrung people and Kulin nation.

We honour their elders, past and emerging and acknowledge their wise care of the land, rivers, creeks and sea, and food resources during the hundreds and thousands of years they walked this area.

We give thanks for their insight, wisdom and caring.

We accept the invitation in the ULURU statement from the HEART to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.

Let’s learn from the First Peoples of our countries and wholeheartedly support them.27th General Chapter