Trinity
May 22, 2024
On Sunday 26 May, we celebrate Trinity Sunday, otherwise known as the feast of the Holy Trinity.
Westbury Church turns 150
Friday 24 May 2024 marks 150 years since Holy Trinity Church, Westbury (Tasmania) was opened. It also marks 137 years since five Sisters of Saint Joseph were warmly welcomed into the village, having been invited by the parish priest to set up a Catholic school.
Pentecost 2024
May 15, 2024
When Mary MacKillop wrote to Monsignor Kirby in October 1873 on The Necessity of the Institute, she begins by writing, “May the Holy Spirit, my God, direct me in what I am about to write.” In doing so, she invokes the outpouring of the Spirit on this important missionary work that needs to be undertaken in Australia. The fruits of the Spirit were abundant in Mary MacKillop’s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
Laudato Si’ Week 2024: 19-26 May
May 8, 2024
This year marks the ninth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical to every person living on this planet. Seeds of Hope is the chosen theme of the weeklong Laudato Si’ celebration. We are invited to be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, and to be rooted in the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love.
Mothering Today
Mother’s Day (12 May) has taken on new meaning for me this year. My wonderful mother is still very much alive and well, but we are beginning a new relationship.
At home among the poor
On 31 May 1867, Father Julian Tenison Woods sent to Mary MacKillop the first Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. This became the founding document, encapsulating the vision for the order and providing the Sisters with important guidelines for their ministry.
It had arrived! Here was the fruit of their discussions. Sister Mary MacKillop opened it carefully, her heart filling with joy as she read Father Julian Tenison Woods’ words in his letter of 31 May 1867:
Dear Sister Mary
I enclose the Rule. You must without delay copy it out into a small neat book, smaller than this note paper, and written only on one side and enclose it back to me.
Celebrating 70, 75 and 80 Years of Religious Life
May 2, 2024
Sisters of Saint Joseph from across Australia, in Ireland and in Aotearoa New Zealand recently celebrated their Tanzanite (80 years), Tourmaline (75 years) and Platinum (70 years) Jubilees of Religious Profession.
Seven Jubilarians from this group of 21 Sisters gathered at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney where they were welcomed by Sisters of Saint Joseph Congregational Leader, Sr Monica Cavanagh, fellow Sisters, family and friends. The Most Reverend Terry Brady presided at the Mass and congratulated the Jubilarians on their vowed commitment.
St Joseph the Worker
April 25, 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’.