Reflection on Mary MacKillop
In his Apostolic Letter With a Father’s Heart (Patris Corde) Pope Francis has proclaimed this year as the Year of St Joseph. In writing, Francis describes St Joseph “as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in […]
COVID-19: A Tumultuous Year
COVID-19: Lessons from a Tumultuous Year. As I glanced through the headlines in today’s paper (4 November), I was really struck, not for the first time, by the treasure trove that this period will be for future historians. I’ve been riveted by the debates, the diverse views, the reflections, even some of the terrifying possibilities […]
On the Spirituality of Fr Julian Tenison Woods
Spirituality: the inclination of the heart and how it is moved in God’s promptings. The following are different aspects of Father Woods’ spirituality. They are interrelated and integrated. The first is awe before God. At Penola, on Pentecost Sunday 2010, Mary’s canonisation year, Fr Paul Gardiner sj preached at Mass before the opening of Fr […]
Our Inspirational Saint Mary of the Cross
This month we pay a special tribute to Saint Mary MacKillop as we celebrate ten years since her canonisation in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI. As Australia’s first Saint we reflect anew on this woman close to our hearts who demonstrated a passion for justice, a respect for human dignity, the courage of her convictions […]
Death of Father Julian Tenison Woods
His name will be held in affectionate remembrance [i]. Mary MacKillop records the death of Fr Julian Tenison Woods. His work was nearly over now. Partial paralysis of the hands and legs had been slowly creeping onward . . . The remarkable fortitude with which he bore his sufferings, and the resignation with which he […]
Membership
A Journey of Immersion and Discernment of the Call to Josephite Life: Membership A woman considering membership in the Congregation as a Sister of Saint Joseph, after due consultation may begin a ‘journey’ which provides her with opportunities for personal discernment and immersion in Josephite spirituality, community and ministry. Discernment Guide: She is accompanied on […]
Reflection on Mary MacKillop
Samela Harris, journalist, has described Mary MacKillop from the secular point of view that her father Max Harris expressed. Her strong character images of St Mary MacKillop depict, very poignantly, a saintliness, that describes her as a strong woman whom we can imagine in today’s world. The moment he (Max Harris) came up with that […]
Flora MacDonald arrived in Melbourne 1840
The Arrival of Flora MacDonald in Melbourne, Victoria. When Catherine MacDonald boarded the Government emigrant ship Glen Huntley she signed on as a widow with three adult children: Alexander, aged twenty-seven, Flora, aged twenty-three and Donald aged eighteen. Her husband, Donald ‘Drochaid’ MacDonald, boarded separately. He had been guarantor for his cousin ‘Long John’ MacDonald […]
Josephite Justice Network Weekend
In March 2020, the Josephite Justice Network (JJN) gathered at St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre in Kincumber South, New South Wales. We were so blessed to be able to have our Josephite Justice Network gathering just before the COVID-19 lockdown crisis occurred. Thank you to all of you who were able to attend. We […]
Earth Hour 2020
Earth Hour Saturday 28 March 2020. Earth Hour was begun in Sydney in 2007 and has spread as the largest world movement working for climate change. We turn off our lights 8.30-9.30 pm local time with millions of people around the world in 7,000 cities in 180 countries and territories as a pledge to help […]
Medevac Rallies
Last weekend, refugee supporters held rallies around Australia to urge the Government not to overturn the Medevac legislation, which enables refugees in Papua New Guinea (PNG) or Nauru to be brought to Australia for urgent medical treatment. The rallies culminated in an all-night vigil outside Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday night (10 November). I […]
Birth of Fr Julian Edmund Tenison Woods 1832
A child is born! Autumn with its myriad colours of gold and red, could be seen in the countryside. And as the Woods family prepared for the cold of winter, another child was born into their family. Little did they realise that this child would leave England’s shores at the age of twenty-three, go to […]