“Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me”
December 31, 2023
The title is the opening lines of the song Peace on Earth by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. Our troubled world cries out for Peace, as we witness the stories of those devastated by war, and the effects of climate change. It is easy to become overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. We are reminded in this song that Peace begins in each individual heart.
Pondering on living from a place of peace has drawn me to reflect on two icons of Peace.
New Year 2024
As we step over the threshold into a New Year, we look back with gratitude at the realities that have shaped us during 2023 and look forward to all that this New Year holds for us.
Thresholds are places of encounter where we are challenged to widen the tents of our hearts and be ready to receive the gifts that are there to be embraced. They call us to see with new perspectives, ready to move along unknown paths with courage and trust. As the New Year begins, we pray that peace, justice and compassion will guide world leaders in their decision-making. These values call us to care for one another and for our common home Earth.
Julian Tenison Woods on Transcendent Evolution by Supernatural Selection
December 30, 2023
Father Julian Tenison Woods’ deep spiritual devotion to Mary and his profound connection to God through the natural world, were not mere facets of his life; they were sources of his vitality and inspiration.
Nature (or ‘Mother Nature’), like Mary the Mother of God, is a (‘sacramental’) sign of God’s grace which allows God’s presence to flow into us. Fr Julian found solace and revelation in both Mary’s maternal embrace and the nurturing beauty of nature. His life’s work in the natural sciences was more than an academic pursuit; it was a testament to the belief that all of creation offers glimpses of the infinite beauty of its Creator. Fr Julian’s reverence for Mary and for nature’s Creator breathed life into his very being, his ‘soul’, allowing him to provide his spiritual children insight into the interconnectedness of faith, science, and the world around us.
Christmas Message 2023
December 21, 2023Greetings of Peace and Joy on this Christmas Day.
In churches, in families and in some public spaces there will be a Nativity scene telling the story of that first Christmas night. Our minds and hearts will be drawn to Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus, prince of peace. This year as we gather around the crib, let us be mindful of the people of Bethlehem and all those places in our world where conflict reigns rather than peace.
Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding Audit Receives Full Marks
December 20, 2023
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) was recently engaged to undertake a safeguarding audit in relation to the Congregation’s compliance with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). The purpose of the NCSS is to build a culture of shared responsibility for safeguarding and to ensure that policies, practices, and codes of behaviour work together to prevent, detect, and respond appropriately to potential or actual incidents of child abuse.
The auditors interviewed a number of staff and Sisters from all Regions within Australia either in person, or via online technology. The auditors also worked for many hours examining the documentation the safeguarding team had uploaded to the NCSS Portal.
Appointment of New Board for Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph
December 13, 2023
Media Release: Appointment of New Board for Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph
The Sisters of Saint Joseph are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Board for its Spirituality Ministry, supporting a new ‘whole of ministry’ approach to the delivery of spirituality and heritage programs and activities across Australia.
The new Board is part of a transformative process to facilitate a responsive and agile positioning of programs and experiences to meet contemporary needs.
Christmas now, with Mary MacKillop
December 8, 2023
Christmas is near. With such joy, we celebrate the birth of a Child, a reminder that we are all children of a lavishly loving God who, in Jesus, chose to have no boundaries between divinity and humanity!
Following Jesus, Mary MacKillop lived in a way that held no boundaries around her love for God and her love for humanity. Love is love is Love.
Let’s Unwrap the True Spirit of Christmas with the Flourishing Gift of Literacy!
A message from Jane Woolford, CEO of Mary MacKillop Today
It’s truly inspiring to be part of the Josephite family. Like you, I am deeply moved by the extraordinary spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. I’m thankful for this chance to share stories with you about the work we’re doing at Mary MacKillop Today.