Tokaanu and Waihi, Aotearoa New Zealand
August 27, 2021
In 1902 when the Society of Saint Joseph priests (Mill Hill missionaries) [1] were working among the Māori people on the southern shores of Lake Taupo, they realised that a Catholic School was a necessity.
They approached Mother Mary MacKillop for Sisters of Saint Joseph to staff the school.
At the beginning of September 1903 on behalf of Mother Mary MacKillop, Sr M. Patricia wrote to Fr Bruning that “she would make an effort to supply your wants as she has a great love for and sympathy with the Māori Missions”.
A Josephite Companion’s Reflection on Father’s Day
For the Josephite Companion Movement, 2021 has been a year of new beginnings: a new name and structure, and new ways to “Gather Together”.
We have surmounted many obstacles and climbed many hills. We have had meetings and prayer sessions via email, video, phone, Zoom and, in some lucky cases, in person. All this has enriched our Movement and opened our minds and hearts to new ways of being community.
The Josephite Companions Leadership Team (JCoLT) has made the most of these new times by organising our inaugural Zoom Conference, Be Courageous and Full of Hope, which will be held on 4 September 2021, Father’s Day weekend. The conference will focus on where our movement has come from, where we are now and how we move forward.
Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor: Social Justice Sunday 29 August
In a short space of time the peoples of planet Earth have witnessed bushfires, floods, and catastrophic environmental damage. Good people everywhere ask, “What is the right and proper way to respond?”
I spoke to Olkola/Djabaguy woman Sherry Balcombe about this. “We as Aboriginal people know the Earth is the most sacred of gifts given to us by the Creator Spirit,” she said. “It is what gives us life. It nurtures us, it sustains us and provides all that we need. We must heal country”.
Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ named earth as our common home, crying out for attention. When it is exploited and spoiled, the poorest of earth’s people suffer first, and future generations are robbed of their inheritance.
Book Review: Journeying with Joseph
August 26, 2021
The title of the book, Journeying with Joseph, offers a broad canvas on which the authors explore and honor Joseph, whom Christians know as the foster father of Jesus.
The idea of the work evolved from the creative mind of its editor, Mary Cresp rsj, and from Josephite history impregnated as it is with the ideas of founders such as Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods and others. The writers themselves offer us their expertise in areas such as spirituality and theology as they write about a silent man who provided a sacred space for both Mary and Jesus.
The book is subdivided into three sections: Joseph’s Foundational Inspiration, Joseph’s Radiant Influence and Joseph’s Cultural Outreach. The sections make it easier to access areas of particular interest to the readers.
Celebrating a Birthday Every Week
August 25, 2021
Celebrating a birthday every week – one of the perks of being a foster carer for more than 40 years
Growing up in a family of 11 girls and 5 boys, Jacqui Davis has always loved being part of a busy, noisy household.
More than 60 years later, that hasn’t changed as Jacqui who has been a foster carer for 41 years, is currently looking after three young siblings, and is loving the equal measure of joy and chaos that they bring to her home.
Celebrating St Mary MacKillop in the Year of St Joseph
August 9, 2021To celebrate the feast of St Mary MacKillop in the Year of St Joseph we offer seven short video reflections.
These videos draw together themes from the life of St Mary, the seven qualities of St Joseph in Pope Francis’ document Patris Corde, and the life of experience of diverse Christians.
Indigenous People Offer Us A Deeper, More Inclusive World
“Think I might be a litte bit in love with Ruby Tui. Bringing te reo to the BBC. Best Olympic interview yet!”
Black Fern Ruby Tui’s interview about their win in the women’s rugby sevens Olympic semi-final inspired this Facebook comment from a friend in England. The Black Ferns are predominantly Māori women and Ruby began the interview in te reo Māori (the Māori language).
Launch of Formation for Mission Framework
August 8, 2021
The Formation for Mission Framework is a response to the need for a formal induction and formation programme for those who work with us in SOSJ Works.
Each person engaged in ministry brings to the role significant skills, knowledge, wisdom, a value base and a range of personal and professional experiences.