Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding Audit Receives Full Marks

SOSJ Congregational Leadership Team and Professional Standards Team with ACSL auditors.

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.

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Appointment of New Board for Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

Natalie Acton, newly appointed Chair of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Spirituality Ministry, with Sr Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader.

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.

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Christmas now, with Mary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, North Sydney.

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.

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Let’s Unwrap the True Spirit of Christmas with the Flourishing Gift of Literacy!

Not only can Herminia now read and write, but she also pours her heart into teaching her grandchildren.

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.

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30th Anniversary of Reinterment of Mary MacKillop in the New Shrine

Mary MacKillop’s new tomb 1993.

The date, 20 December 1993, is etched in my memory not only because it was my mother’s 77th birthday but also because I was witness to an exuberant outpouring of excitement, adoration and awe.

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We are but travellers here

“We are but travellers here!” These words of St Mary MacKillop tell the story of those who have walked through the doors of St Joseph’s House of Studies in Lyneham since it opened in 1969.

This House, once a home for Sisters of Saint Joseph in training, was reopened in June 2020 as MacKillop House, a place of refuge and safety for homeless women.

As one of the first residents of the House of Studies it is a privilege to be involved once again with this special place.

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Education in life and love: a Sister’s mission

Sister Pat Malone – Eco-Hero Profile

Affectionately known as ‘Hey Jude’ (by senior students of the Beatles era), Sister Pat Malone has helped inspire many young people teaching religion, science and mathematics for over 20 years at Glen Innes, Panania, Mt St Joseph Catholic College Milperra, St Joseph’s Bankstown and St Joseph’s Hunters Hill.

With her tomboy persona and progressive beliefs, joining a religious congregation was the last thing Sister Pat imagined. It wasn’t until she read a book about Mary MacKillop and her life’s dedication to education that a teenage Sister Pat realised her calling in life.

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Advent Reflection

Jacaranda tree by Annie Bond rsj.

The days are growing longer, the sun is growing towards its full summer radiance, the Jacaranda, Silky Oak, Poinciana and Flame Trees are blooming. We find ourselves moving quickly toward our remembrance and celebration of the coming into our world of the One who is Light. We are in Advent time, a time of waiting, hope and joyful expectation.

However, as I write, the nightly news is playing in the background. I am all too aware of the conflict, suffering and pain in which our world is shrouded. This gives me pause, and I question: “How much longer? Will anything ever change? When will we have ears that hear, eyes that see, hearts that are open?”

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