The Power of Scholarships – Mary MacKillop Today
June 22, 2023
CEO of Mary MacKillop Today, Jane Woolford, talks about the power of scholarships.
I spent many years as a teacher where I witnessed the transformative power of education on a child’s life. That’s why I joined Mary MacKillop Today — because, like Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph, I believe education is the key to improving lives through opportunities.
Day of the Seafarer 2023
Celebrated annually on 25 June is the Day of the Seafarer. The International Maritime Organization states that the purpose of the day ‘is to recognise the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole’.
It is time to think and talk about seafarers, to thank them for their work and sacrifice, and to reach out to ‘give back’ something to them by some act of kindness.
Birth of John the Baptist
We commemorate the Birth of John the Baptist on 24 June.
Only Luke tells about John the Baptist’s birth. In the other Gospels, Matthew, Mark and John, John the Baptist is already an adult when he comes into the story. He appears as a man of God, a prophet trusted by the people to whom he preaches and baptises. In each of those Gospels, John, who already has a reputation and many followers, points Jesus out to his followers as the Messiah, the one to listen to and he encourages them to follow him.
Sisters Launch Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are proud to announce the launch of their Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023 – 2025. The launch of the RAP took place on 16 June 2023 at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney and coincided with the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Attending the launch included representatives from Reconciliation Australia, special guests, Sisters, staff, student dancers from Redfern Jarjum College and supporters of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Although the Sisters of Saint Joseph have a long history of being in relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the Congregation is now seeking to formalise its ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
Crises Facing Refugees in Australia
June 8, 2023
Refugee Week in 2023 will take place from Sunday 18 June – Saturday 24 June, with the theme being ‘Finding Freedom’.
Josephites are really grateful for the initiatives being taken by the Federal Government to promote permanent protection for those in temporary protection. We continue to work, however, for those on bridging visas who are not included in this decision, and persist in advocating for them, and for a fair deal for all those seeking welcome and permanent protection in this country.
Refugee Week 2023: Finding Freedom
Refugee Week in 2023 will take place from Sunday 18 June – Saturday 24 June, with the theme being ‘Finding Freedom‘.
Across the ages, freedom has held a place of importance in our society. It’s a multifaceted concept, but here, we delve into the deep connection between freedom and psychological health, focusing on liberation from psychological distress.
For a world that needs love: Mary MacKillop and the Sacred Heart
In a world where relationships so often fail, Mary MacKillop’s understanding that her consecration in Religious Life bound her to Christ as closely as marriage does can inspire. She used to call herself ‘Christ’s spouse’, and so wrote that, as such, she should “be equally interested in all that is dear to his Heart”. [1]
Feast of the Sacred Heart 2023
The Feast of the Sacred Heart (16 June) invites us into a deepening awareness that all of life is held in the loving embrace of God. This spirituality of the heart calls us to honour that Christ dwells in our hearts through love and we in turn are to ‘clothe ourselves in love’ (Colossians 3:12) so that we may radiate this love to others.
Throughout Jesus’ life, the gospels show us that he acted from his heart, that place of union with God. He confronted injustice, shared meals with those who were considered outcasts and allowed himself to be moved with compassion as he encountered the sick, lonely, heartbroken and wounded.