A Story of Unity Over Division
April 8, 2025
Mother Benedict Seymour.
On 8 April, we commemorate the 90th anniversary of when Papal Approbation was granted for the Sisters of St Joseph of Goulburn.
A proclamation from the Vatican in July 1917 profoundly impacted the lives of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Goulburn Congregation. On 28 July that year, Pope Benedict XV proclaimed the establishment in New South Wales of the new Diocese of Wagga Wagga, separating it from the Diocese of Goulburn.
A Knock on the Church’s Door and the Answer is ‘Welcome!’
The Rite of Election for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) candidates was held recently in St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. The twelve candidates from St Brigid’s Marrickville were up the front, and so we had a close view of the sanctuary and by craning our necks backwards, we could view the almost unending line of candidates and their sponsors. There are 384 people enrolled to become Catholics in the Archdiocese of Sydney this year – and they were obviously all there.
Mary MacKillop continues to be Ecumenical in Bendigo
A statue of Mary MacKillop was recently placed in the Grand Stupa Buddhist Shrine of Universal Compassion in Bendigo (Victoria) together with a statue of St Francis of Assisi that was already there but in need of restoration.
The ceremony for the installation of Mary MacKillop was held in the Peace Garden of the Shrine. Following morning tea, Mr Ian Green (Chairman of the Grand Stupa) welcomed all and explained the vision of the Grand Stupa. Sr Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, told something of the life of Mary MacKillop and her perseverance against the odds and the virtues that made her a saint; prayers followed as Bishop Shane Mackinlay of the Diocese of Sandhurst blessed both statues.
Pope Francis honours a life of service
April 7, 2025
Professor Emerita Anne Cummins with the award of Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great.
Pope Francis honoured Professor Emerita Anne Cummins with the award of Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great. This honour is granted to Catholic women and men in recognition of their service to the Church through their work and community impact.
The award was presented by Archbishop Anthony Fisher at a ceremony held at Cathedral House in Sydney on 21 March.
Josephite Justice Network Gathering: March 2025
March 25, 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 with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all,” our gathering focused on how we can use this year of Jubilee to ignite hope in the lives of all those we serve.
First JAG Gathering for 2025
The Josephite Action Group meets for the first time in 2025!
February marked the first catch up of the Josephite Action Group (JAG), an opportunity to welcome fresh faces to the group, and catch up with existing members.
We gathered in Croydon (New South Wales), excited to spend the afternoon socialising and planning action for 2025. The group began with some team building games, fun that challenged our communication skills and creativity. We then went onto reflective activities thinking about all that has happened in the first two months of this year (can’t believe we’re already now three months into 2025!), and we discussed our hopes for the remainder of the year.
Climate Casualties – Josephites Launch Third Laudato Si’ Conversation Package
March 24, 2025
The Josephite Laudato Si’ Action Plan team presents its third Conversation Package in the five-part URGENT HOPE series.
Titled Climate Casualties, this community and educational resource has been developed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in collaboration with the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar to spark discussion, inform, and inspire people of hope.
Climate Casualties refers to all those who are innocent victims of the effects of climate change. Those people, plants, animals and other life forms who are killed, injured and displaced by climate events. At the time of writing, northern and eastern parts of Australia are in cyclone season, while drought grips the western and southern areas. Human climate casualties are frequently subjected to policy changes made by insurance companies and international governments.
St Joseph Feast Day 2025
March 14, 2025Joseph, the Pilgrim of Hope
Greetings on the feast of Saint Joseph.
This Jubilee year provides each one of us with the opportunity to reflect on the role of pilgrimage in our lives and in the life of Joseph. The Gospel accounts in which reference to Joseph are shared speak of Joseph setting out on a journey to unknown and unfamiliar places – Bethlehem, Egypt and Nazareth. He steps out with courage, trusting that God would walk with him in these difficult moments.