Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit
You will have heard that on 7 May 2024, the Australian Bishops approved the use of the Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit (MLHS) – more usually known as the Missa Kimberley – for use in the Diocese of Broome (Western Australia).
Julian’s Charism Continues Today
Julian Tenison Woods seldom looked away from nature’s realities. He appreciated and pursued unexplored fields which were opened to him during his short life span. No wonder so many Josephites have spread far and wide deeply connecting with the Whenua – ‘the womb which gives us life’. Sr Makareta and I travelled to the far […]
Families hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis
Currently, more than 50% of Australia’s population is experiencing mental distress directly linked to the cost-of-living crisis that is gripping the nation.[1] Sadly, this type of situation is becoming a reality for too many people as bills like food, electricity, housing and rent skyrocket. It’s heartbreaking, as more people who never needed support before are […]
Feast of the Sacred Heart 2024
Greetings for the Feast of the Sacred Heart 2024 The Feast of the Sacred Heart (7 June) marks a special day in the life of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. When seeking approval for the Institute from Rome, the Sacred Heart was part of the official title bestowed upon the new Institute. For us […]
Trinity
On Sunday 26 May, we celebrate Trinity Sunday, otherwise known as the feast of the Holy Trinity. God, Lord and Architect of the whole world, was something more than loving towards mankind. God was long-suffering as well. So, God has always been, still is, and ever shall be out-pouring upon us the Infinite Design, great […]
Westbury Church turns 150
Friday 24 May 2024 marks 150 years since Holy Trinity Church, Westbury (Tasmania) was opened. It also marks 137 years since five Sisters of Saint Joseph were warmly welcomed into the village, having been invited by the parish priest to set up a Catholic school.
Pentecost 2024
When Mary MacKillop wrote to Monsignor Kirby in October 1873 on The Necessity of the Institute, she begins by writing, “May the Holy Spirit, my God, direct me in what I am about to write.” In doing so, she invokes the outpouring of the Spirit on this important missionary work that needs to be undertaken […]
Laudato Si’ Week 2024: 19-26 May
This year marks the ninth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical to every person living on this planet. Seeds of Hope is the chosen theme of the weeklong Laudato Si’ celebration. We are invited to be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, and to be rooted in the […]
At home among the poor
On 31 May 1867, Father Julian Tenison Woods sent to Mary MacKillop the first Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. This became the founding document, encapsulating the vision for the order and providing the Sisters with important guidelines for their ministry. It had arrived! Here was the fruit of their discussions. Sister Mary MacKillop […]
St Joseph the Worker
For the feast of St Joseph the Worker (1 May), Mary Cresp rsj shares about the work and life of St Joseph which has been adapted from her book, In the Spirit of Joseph, 2005 (North Sydney, Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart) pp. 94-96. Joseph, we are told, was a tekton – […]
Window on Creation
“Living in harmony with nature and with God gives us full happiness and purpose,” thus said Father Julian Tenison Woods in 1887. For Fr Julian, fullness of life meant the integration of science and religion. He sensed that the future of Earth depends on the realisation that all creation is in relationship, and that we […]
Mary goes to Ireland
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. This is the final journey in the series. Mary MacKillop went to Rome […]