ANZAC Day Reflection
April 24, 2024
ANZAC Day (25 April) is a day of remembrance in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. In these times when church attendance is waning, the public liturgies of remembrance are becoming popular. Crowds gather for the dawn service, services at cenotaphs, the parade of returned service men and women and the laying of wreaths. Many more families are remembering members who were shipped overseas during WWI, WWII, the Korean War or the Vietnam War. Many of these soldiers and support staff did not return, while many others returned damaged in body and mind.
St Joseph the Worker
April 22, 2024
For the feast of St Joseph the Worker (1 May), Mary Cresp rsj shares about the work and life of St Joseph which has been adapted from her book, In the Spirit of Joseph, 2005 (North Sydney, Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart) pp. 94-96.
Joseph, we are told, was a tekton – a person who works with hard substances. Archaeological evidence tells us that the bulk of these substances was most likely stone, since timber was not plentiful and there was ample use of the limestone and basalt deposits in the area. Public works such as water systems in neighbouring Sepphoris and domestic constructions such as grinding stones and storage areas used these materials excavated out of the hills. Ovens were made out of brick. Wood would have been used for ploughs, door frames and small items of furniture. A more accurate description of Joseph’s trade, then, would be ‘builder’ since there was no such thing as a specialised ‘carpenter’.
Window on Creation
“Living in harmony with nature and with God gives us full happiness and purpose,” thus said Father Julian Tenison Woods in 1887.
For Fr Julian, fullness of life meant the integration of science and religion. He sensed that the future of Earth depends on the realisation that all creation is in relationship, and that we human beings are irrevocably inter-connected with the natural world. In this he echoed the sentiments of St Francis of Assisi whom Pope Francis brought to our attention in 2015 when he gave the world Laudato Si’. Pope Francis showed us that St Francis’ way of living simply and sustainably was in solidarity with Earth and her peoples.
Today we know our Earth is in trouble.
A new resource has been created as an invitation to all who care about the future. The reader is invited to look at our world, as if out a window, with St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and Fr Julian.
Mary goes to Ireland
April 21, 2024
To celebrate 150 years since Mary MacKillop embarked on her first overseas journey (March 1873 – December 1874), the Sisters of Saint Joseph share reflections and details from Mary’s travels to and from Europe – sourced from Mary’s letters and Congregational Archives. This is the final journey in the series.
Mary MacKillop went to Rome in 1873 to have the Rule approved – a task that took the best part of two years. Towards the end of those two years, Mary visited England, Scotland and Ireland hoping to find some women to come to Australia to join the fledgling Institute.
Xavier Crimmins Appointed CEO of Spirituality Ministry
April 19, 2024
The Board of the Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is pleased to announce the appointment of Xavier Crimmins as its Chief Executive Officer.
Xavier, who commenced in the role on 8 April 2024, will use his extensive leadership experience and expertise within the community services sector to develop the next three-year strategy for the Spirituality Ministry.
“I am delighted and excited to lead the Spirituality Ministry into the next chapter of its journey,” says Xavier.
“The long history of the Sisters’ works will continue as we explore new ways to deliver their Mission within a fast-changing world. The bringing together of the Ministries from around Australia provides a great opportunity to grow and further develop the Sisters’ work to more people and communities in faith and hospitality. I look forward to working with the Spirituality Ministry team, Board, and Sisters of Saint Joseph to bring the refreshed vision to reality.”
Planet vs. Plastics: Earth Day 2024
In 2024, Earth Day (22 April) has a theme of Planet vs. Plastics. In our sports orientated cultures, the “vs.” denotes an impending contest, a winner and a loser, vocal enthusiastic one-sided supporters, spectator involvement and a set of agreed rules. This Planet vs. Plastics fixture breaks the mold somewhat. The contest is for the sake of human and planetary health. It will take longer than a Cricket Test Match with the Earth Day.org trophy being a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.
A new home for everything
April 18, 2024
Showing Off
What do you do with the contents of a home when it’s no longer needed?
This challenge was met head-on by Sisters of Saint Joseph support staff when they were asked to clear the contents of a property in preparation for its sale. The house had a plethora of of furniture, kitchenware, bedding, gardening tools, fridges and freezers etc etc! What to do with it all?
Care for Earth in WA
April 12, 2024
Sisters and neighbours, Sr Maura pbvm (Presentation Sisters) and Sr Maree rsj (Sisters of Saint Joseph), live in an Over 55s Village in Western Australia.
“Well before Laudato Si’ – my mother taught us to be frugal and waste free,” says Sr Maree.
“This would have been due to her own upbringing during the war and Depression times. My parents lived a simple life, with few trappings but still managed to be generous and sharing.”