Uluru Statement from the Heart: Basic Truths
April 5, 2023
It was wonderful to receive a message from Sr Denise McKay recently describing the overwhelming sense of gratitude experienced by all those who attended the historic South Australian Voice to Parliament. They witnessed the Bill pass through both Houses of Parliament, with the Governor signing the Act into law “before our eyes”. In the hopes of so many who were there, Sr Denise reflected, “may it foreshadow the outcome of the referendum”.
In the face of such hopefulness and possibility, it’s been challenging to have been confronted in recent weeks by the voices of anger and antagonism which have emerged. It has reminded us of the urgency to keep returning to what is at the heart of this referendum and, in our conversations, to share these basic truths:
Doug the Dog
What a wonderful gift this cute, roly-poly, little, white dog is to the residents of MacKillop House at Norwest in New South Wales.
Rae, who was our manager, Fiona our Chaplain and myself as representative of the residents at MacKillop House, were invited to go on The Dog House, a heart-warming TV show where we were to select a dog suitable for our retirement home. What a privilege!
Recognising Father Julian Tenison Woods at MacKillop Catholic College
MacKillop Catholic College in Mornington, Tasmania was founded in 1994. At that time the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office approached the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph to administer the College. In its inaugural year, the College was led by Br Tony Smith as principal, and Sr Louise Cotton.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph in Tasmania have a particular connection with Fr Julian Tenison Woods due to his significant ministry in the state. In fact, Fr Julian often referred to Tasmania as ‘St Joseph’s Island’.
Mary MacKillop goes to Rome
March 27, 2023
To celebrate 150 years since Mary MacKillop embarked on her first overseas journey (March 1873 – December 1874), the Sisters of Saint Joseph share reflections and details from Mary’s travels to and from Europe – sourced from Mary’s letters and Congregational Archives as she visits Italy, Germany, Scotland and Ireland.
“I am going to Rome… and I go full of hope!” Thus, wrote Mary MacKillop to her sisters on 25 March 1873. It reads like a simple statement but hides a wealth of grief, anxiety, hope and a profound trust in the Providence of God, her good God whose “adorable will” she encourages her sisters to accept in “humble submission… and in all circumstances whether pleasing or not to your natural inclinations”.[1]
Queensland Josephites Support Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Josephites in Queensland have been on a journey for a number of months. On Tuesday 14 February, we reached an important milestone.
This journey has led us to a deeper understanding of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its significance for our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Previously, in order to show our support, we placed our thumb prints around the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Earth Hour – 25 March 2023
March 24, 2023
This year marks the 15th year of Earth Hour. What began in the Sydney CBD has spread across the nation and the globe. It is estimated that one in three people will participate in the symbolic action of turning off lights in their homes and some places of work for one hour.
Earth Hour is not about saving energy. The amount of energy this action conserves globally is negligible. The simple act of turning off the lights serves to remind us that Earth is a single planet sharing the one source of light. Looking down your street, across the suburbs, or at the dim city skyline during Earth Hour creates a sense of solidarity with others. At least one in three of your neighbours across all the continents cares enough about Earth to engage in this symbolic action. We are not alone in our concerns. The cumulative effect of everyone’s small actions and heightened awareness emits powerful messages to politicians, investors, influencers and policymakers.
Josephite Justice Network Gathering – March 2023
The Josephite Justice Network (JJN) gathering was held at Kincumber South, New South Wales from 10-12 March 2023. Josephite Sisters, Companions as well as young Josephite volunteers from throughout Australia, were all present.
The theme for the gathering was The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:5). We realised during the course of the weekend, that getting together and listening to each other was a breath of fresh air, and a chance for us to recharge and prepare for all our forthcoming opportunities.
International Women’s Day in Canberra
On International Women’s Day (8 March), I was fortunate to be invited to the unveiling of the statues of the first two women to enter federal parliament 80 years ago in 1943. The two women were Dame Dorothy Tangney from Western Australia who entered the Senate, and my grandmother Dame Enid Lyons from Tasmania who entered the House of Representatives. Dame Enid Lyons became the first woman in cabinet.
At the time of entering parliament, my grandmother had 11 children, five of whom were still in boarding school. As the wife of Joe Lyons, Tasmanian Premier and tenth Prime Minister (1932-1939), my grandmother was familiar with politics, having stood for the Tasmanian Parliament with her mother in the 1920s and having been involved in campaigning with her husband. In her maiden speech she had observed that a woman in the public sphere must “justify herself not as a woman, but as a citizen”. [1]