Josephites prepare for 150th celebration
MARCH 19 will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola, South Australia.
On St Joseph’s Day in 1866 Mary MacKillop, with the direction and encouragement of Fr Julian Tenison Woods, began to live as a religious Sister under the patronage of St Joseph. On that day Mary wore a simple black dress and bonnet, attended Mass, taught the children and waited for God to show her the next step. Many have followed in her footsteps since then – Sisters, associates, co-workers – and all with a Josephite heart, carrying out the Josephite legacy to the present day.
The logo designed for the sesquicentenary year depicts the love of God and heartbeat of the world. At the centre of life God’s creative energy and love continues to be born in all who live the Gospel. God calls all, just as surely as Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods were called, into passionate Gospel living and loving.
Josephite Sisters during a Mass in North Goulburn in 2013 celebrating the merger of the Goulburn Sisters of St Joseph with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. PHOTO: ONLINEEvents and commemorations are planned across the sesquicentenary year in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Peru, Brazil and East Timor to give thanks to God for the blessings the Congregation has received, to honour those who over the past 150 years have dedicated their lives to furthering the reign of God wherever God’s mission led them, and to reflect on how we might listen and respond to the heartbeat of the world today.
In the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn the Sisters of St Joseph have lived and ministered in Adaminaby, Adelong, Araluen, Ardlethan, Barellan, Barmedman, Bateman’s Bay, Batlow, Bega, Bemboka, Binalong, Bombala, Bungendore, Candelo, Captain’s Flat, Charnwood, Cobargo, Cooma, Crookwell, Delegate, Eucumbene, Eden, Gundagai, Jindabyne, Koorawatha, Lake Cargelligo, Lyneham, Marulan, Nimmitabel, North Goulburn, O’Connor, Page, Quandialla, Taralga, Temora, Ungarie, Wallendbeen and Wombat.
To mark the sesquicentenary of the founding of the Sisters of St Joseph there will be a Mass at 11.30am on Saturday, March 19 at St Joseph’s Church, O’Connor. Archbishop Christopher Prowse will be the main celebrant. Refreshments will be served after Mass. For more information contact Sr Colleen Howe RSJ on (02) 6258 1563 or email colleen.howe@sosj.org.au.