Attentive to the Sacred,
the Evolving Universe,
Relationships of Compassion.
St Joseph’s by the Sea is a gathering and accommodation place for all who seek to:
- nurture contemplation
- explore and celebrate the wonders of the Universe and Earth
- nourish body, mind and spirit.
- develop just and respectful relationships.
- live into new ways of being.
Reflexology Clinic – Circle of Light
We are delighted to offer those needing special consideration a Reflexology for relaxation service in our Holistic Room here in the beautiful environment of St Joseph’s by the Sea. Available very second Friday. To book your treatment please contact Jodie 0413 881 462.
For information and dates click link to see flyer
Reiki Clinic – Circle of Light
Come and experience the healing touch of Reiki. We are delighted to offer those needing special consideration a Reiki for relaxation service in our Holistic Room here in the beautiful environment of St Joseph’s by the Sea. To book your treatment please contact Christine 0420 715 259.
For information and dates click link to see flyer
Garden Day
Sunday 24 November – 10:30am – 4:00pm
Our garden day is an event open to the community, it’s a day to celebrate and come together to raise funds for:
- Outreach Programmes
- Provide hospitality for individuals emotional and spiritual support.
- Ecological maintenance, development and education.
- Grief support
- Women suffering abuse
- Support Aboriginal Programs
- Upkeep of our gardens and especially veggie gardens which support our catering requirements.
We hope it will also be a great opportunity for the community to get a sense of our space and enjoy all it has to offer. Come along and enjoy:
- Garden Tours
- Beehive café
- Educational Ecological games for Children
- Reflexology hub
- Our little shop
- …and much more!
Donations on entry welcomed.
Lending Library
Our Library at St Joseph’s by the Sea has an extensive collection of books of a spiritual nature including Eco-spirituality, Scripture, Aboriginal Spirituality Theology as well as art, fiction and magazines like Earth Song, Madonna, NGV magazines and spirituality in daily life.
These are all available for borrowing. Please ask a member of our staff should you wish to take a book home to read.
St Joseph’s by the Sea has a zero tolerance of child abuse or the abuse of vulnerable adults and shall be guided by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding policy framework, Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding Commitment Statement. A copy of these can be requested or you can access these documents at Safeguarding & Professional Standards – Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined here: Commitment to Safeguarding
Event Registration
Williamstown Accommodation by the Sea
St Joseph’s by the Sea has six modern single and double accommodation rooms with ensuites.
- Spacious rooms with tranquil leafy outlook.
- Beautifully appointed modern bathrooms.
- Stylish desk and chair.
- All linen is supplied.
- Wheelchair accessibility.
- Rooms are air conditioned and access to Wi-Fi.
- Perfect space to nourish body, mind and spirit.
- Elegant common kitchen, dining room and lounge area.
- Laundry facilities are available.
- Accommodation Room Rate $150 per night.
- Light breakfast provisions included.
St Joseph’s by the Sea has a zero tolerance of child abuse or the abuse of vulnerable adults and shall be guided by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding policy framework, Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding Commitment Statement. A copy of these can be requested or you can access these documents at Safeguarding & Professional Standards – Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined here: Commitment to Safeguarding
*** Please ring our office if your accommodation request is within 5 days of your suggested arrival date: (03) 9397 6012
Accommodation Enquiry
Williamstown Meeting Rooms by the Sea
Meeting Rooms
St Joseph’s by the Sea has several meeting rooms and breakout out areas for hire from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm daily.
Our main meeting rooms have views of the Bay, natural lighting, reverse cycle air conditioning and access to Wi-Fi.
- Chapel Room holds 50 people, with Smart TV facility, $500 per day
- Bay Room with bay view holds 25 people, with Smart TV facility, $350 per day
- Blue room holding 10 people for $150 per day
- Tables, Chairs and Whiteboard available for use.
- Tea, coffee and kitchen facilities available.
We offer opportunities tailored to your needs.
Please submit enquiry and we will confirm the availability in due course.
St Joseph’s by the Sea has a zero tolerance of child abuse or the abuse of vulnerable adults and shall be guided by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding policy framework, Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding Commitment Statement. A copy of these can be requested or you can access these documents at Safeguarding & Professional Standards – Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined here: Commitment to Safeguarding
Conference Room Enquiry
St Joseph’s by the Sea is an ideal environment for a retreat. Those wishing to have a time of silence and prayer are welcome to book into this facility at a time convenient to you. There is opportunity to arrange a retreat to suit yourself. To enjoy a day or days where you relax and have time for yourself. The arrangement for these days is that we provide tea, coffee and breakfast but you need to provide other meals. There are facilities for cooking available. Williamstown is also renowned for its eating places.
We also host Retreats throughout the year which are fully catered.
Please note: All Retreats for 2024 have been booked out. Please contact us if you would like to be added on waitlist.
St Joseph’s by the Sea has a zero tolerance of child abuse or the abuse of vulnerable adults and shall be guided by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Safeguarding policy framework, Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding Commitment Statement. A copy of these can be requested or you can access these documents at Safeguarding & Professional Standards – Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Making an enquiry you agree to our safeguarding framework as outlined here: Commitment to Safeguarding
Retreat Enquiry
Please visit our other retreat accommodation here.
Gardening
In 2016, preparing for the seed to be sown…
In 2020, working on The Permaculture Principles of Organic Gardening, we have transformed our garden into using ‘No dig’ systems that utilises all composting materials – cardboard, papers, prunings and lawn cuttings….
In developing the garden, we hope it will be a space of beauty and celebration. Our garden enhances the activities of the Centre with our veggies and fruits central to our menu.
The sacredness of this space reflects the sacredness in all life that surrounds us – the birds, the sea creatures, the ancient sheoak, the lava blister, the human.
Worm Farms
We delight in our worms in our gardens. They are an efficient way to reduce household waste and provide nutrient rich fertilizer for the garden.
We have two large worm farms and are now putting ‘worm homes’ straight into our garden beds.
Educating heart and mind in the Cosmological approach to the 13.7-billion-year Universe Story
We do this through:
- Earth Rituals
- Contemplative Reflections
- Earth Retreats
- Workshops
Visible Sustainability Practices at our Centre
- Regular assessing of our strategic plan.
- House recycling and compost bins
- Utilising natural and environmentally friendly products for our cleaning purposes.
- Craft Workshops teaching how to create environmental ways of doing things. e.g. Beeswax Wraps
- Less/no use of single use plastics.
- We have reflective quotes in the garden and throughout the Centre.
Our Mission is living in relationship with Earth, our home, celebrating the wonders of the Universe and Earth, by living in an awareness of our Earth friendly environment.
Many millions of years ago, Williamstown was alive with volcanic activity. Lava flowed from the vents of hundreds of surrounding volcanoes into Port Phillip Bay. As lava flowed to the shoreline, gases in the lava built up and created a large bubble. This formation is extremely rare and has fascinated geologists the world over. Victoria’s basalt plains form one of the largest lave plains in the world.
Plenty long ago the Yalukit-Willam came to live in the coastal lands around Port Phillip. They called the Williamstown area Koort-boork-boork. This means a clump of many she-oak trees.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph were invited to Williamstown in July 1900 when the FCJ Sisters who had been travelling from Vaucluse Richmond withdrew from the school.
In 1927 the Sisters purchased the home Tulliallan built by sea captain James Ogilvie. This then came to be known as St. Joseph’s Convent at 16 Esplanade.
Our Little Shop
Our Little Shop is more than just a funding space. We have supported asylum seekers, Aboriginal ministries and those who need our support. However, our Little Shop creates links between the garden, our craft group, and the community.
Our craft group makes and supplies items for our shop. Our garden produce is used to make jams. Along with donations from the community we also stock jewellery from Africa, which helps support the women who make these. Clients who use the facility often revisit us to buy a little gift from our Little Shop.
Spiritual Direction is available at St Joseph’s by the Sea.
Spiritual direction is a process by which one person journeys contemplatively with another who is seeking to discern God’s presence (however God is named) in the everyday experience of their life, thus enhancing growth in intimacy with God, and right relationship with all creation.
Spiritual Directors are welcome to use our space.
For further information please call St Joseph’s by the Sea on (03) 9397 6012
St Joseph’s by the Sea
- Address: 16 Esplanade, Williamstown, VIC 3016
- Phone: (03) 9397 6012
Enquiry for St Joseph's by the Sea
Acknowledgement of First Peoples
We pause to recall the millions of year of ocean and land emergence which eventually gave birth to the many life forms.
We acknowledge with respect and wonder, the traditional custodians of this sacred land on which St Joseph’s by the Sea stands. The Yalukit-William of the Boon Wurrung people and Kulin nation.
We honour their elders, past and emerging and acknowledge their wise care of the land, rivers, creeks and sea, and food resources during the hundreds and thousands of years they walked this area.
We give thanks for their insight, wisdom and caring.
We accept the invitation in the ULURU Statement from the HEART to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.