Refugee Week 2025 Reflection

As we approach Refugee Week 2025 (15-21 June), we pause to reflect on this year’s powerful theme: Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community. It is a reminder that freedom is not simply the absence of persecution or fear, but the presence of belonging, identity, and opportunity – all nurtured in the embrace of a compassionate community. […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/refugee-week-2025-reflection/

Jubilee 2025: Ecclesial Movements, Associations and New Communities

From 7-8 June, we are invited to celebrate Ecclesial Movement, Associations and New Communities in the Church. For this event, we feature the Josephite Companions. Who are the Josephite Companions? The Josephite Companions Movement (formerly Associates), stemmed from the teaching of the second Vatican Council, this Springtime of the Church, with its vision of Church […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/jubilee-2025-josephite-companions/

Virtual Pilgrimage to mark Flora MacKillop’s Death Anniversary

To mark the anniversary of Flora MacKillop’s (Mary MacKillop’s mother) death on 30 May 1886, you are invited to join in this ‘virtual pilgrimage’ to Eden and Green Cape, New South Wales. This excerpt comes from the South-East of New South Wales Pilgrimage which traces the two journeys (1899 and 1901) of Mary MacKillop into […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/virtual-pilgrimage-flora-mackillop/

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’

 As we commemorate a decade of Pope Francis’ prophetic encyclical on 24 May, Sr Mary-Ann Casanova PhD, Project Officer for the Josephite Laudato Si’ Action Plan Team, reflects with gratitude on this milestone. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ and the Laudato Si’ movement,” says Sr Mary-Ann. “We […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/10th-anniversary-laudato-si/

Volunteering at Mary MacKillop Place

This year’s National Volunteer Week, held from 19 to 25 May, is a time to celebrate the extraordinary contribution of volunteers across Australia. At Mary MacKillop Place, the spirit of hope lives in the quiet moments of service, kindness and connection that are made possible through the volunteers who give their time so generously to […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/volunteering-mary-mackillop-place/

A Mother’s Day Reflection

Becoming a mother was one of the most gratifying moments in my life, but not every mother shares the same experience. I feel fortunate as a mother of two beautiful adult daughters. My perspective on motherhood probably stems from growing up in a loving family with a good support network, and my husband and I […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/mothers-day-reflection/

St Joseph the Worker

The celebration of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted on 1 May 1955 by Pope Pius XII so that it would coincide with International Workers’ Day or May Day – a celebration of work and workers’ rights coming out the 19th Century industrial revolution. The Soviet Union had used this day to have massive military […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/st-joseph-the-worker-25/

Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope

We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the […]

https://www.sosj.org.au/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/