Josephite Associate Network Qld. Inc.

Josephite Heart Day

2009-08-10T02:48:00.000-07:00

Josephite Heart Day - Sunday, 18th October,2009.
11am – 2pm. Shared lunch at 1pm.
Committee meeting afterwards.

JAN Annual General Meeting - Sunday, November 15th.
Shared lunch at 1pm .
All members welcome to nominate for Executive/Committee positions.

Celebrating 100 years at St. Stephens, Brisbane.

2009-08-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

Several hundred people attended a Mass at St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane to celebrate the life of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

August 8 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph.

MacKillop centenary

2009-08-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

MacKillop sainthood almost certain: Pell

Australia's highest ranking catholic Cardinal George Pell has urged the Pope to make Mary MacKillop the country's first saint. Cardinal Pell, the archbishop of Sydney, told a eucharist service on Saturday at St Mary's Church, North Sydney, celebrating the centenary of MacKillop's death that her sainthood was almost "completely certain". But with the Vatican in summer recess, the thousands of worshippers who watched the service, either in the church or on a big screen at nearby Sydney Oval, will have to wait at least a few more weeks for confirmation of the title.

"Pope John Paul II declared her blessed in 1995 which is one stage short of her being proclaimed officially a saint," Cardinal Pell told the service. "It's almost completely certain she will be become our first publicly recognised Australian saint and we hope Pope Benedict will make the declaration soon."

The service was one of a number being held across Australia on Saturday celebrating the life of Mary MacKillop. Born in Melbourne in 1852, she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph and is held in high regard across the globe for her work helping those in need. She is particularly recognised for setting up schools in South Australia and her work with indigenous populations. MacKillop carried out her work despite significant personal hardship, not least a brief excommunication by the church said to be caused by a misunderstanding over her beliefs. She was also expelled for a short time from Adelaide by senior bishops within the church.

Cardinal Pell admitted the church at the time had treated her "disgracefully" but said she had not lapsed into "bitterness". "This community needs its home-grown heroes and local models to encourage us in the right direction," Cardinal Pell told the service. "We need blessed Mary as a guide. We know Australians are good but some can be very good."

MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 meaning the Vatican verified her first miracle of healing a woman with terminal leukaemia. A second miracle said to be carried out by MacKillop which would confirm sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican.

MacKillop mass hears of sainthood hope

By Miles Godfrey | August 08, 2009

Article from: Australian Associated Press
CELEBRATIONS of the life of Mary MacKillop have begun across Australia amid overwhelming support and an increasing certainty of her becoming the country's first saint.

The centenary of MacKillop's death, marked in services across the globe, have come too soon to coincide with Rome's possible confirmation of MacKillop's rise to sainthood.

But there was little doubt among the 300 people who crammed into Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney for a morning mass service that the Pope would soon announce the decision.

Father Graeme Malone asked those who managed to get a seat inside the chapel to give thanks for the life of MacKillop, who died on August 8, 1909 after a life dedicated to the Church and those suffering hardship.

A large crowd gathered outside the chapel while the service was conducted.

"Blessed Mary MacKillop is certainly not exclusively Australia's iconic Catholic figure. But she remains a beacon of not just the universal Church but indeed the whole world," Fr Malone told the congregation.

"In conclusion, it seems that long before the time of Mary's death at 9am on this day 100 years ago, a great many people had already begun to grasp the tremendous significance of her life and her extraordinary influence after her death."

Fr Malone quoted a former archbishop of Sydney who helped MacKillop as she lay dying: "I consider this day I have assisted at the death bed of a saint".

The congregation in Sydney took Holy Communion and said prayers before filing past the tomb where MacKillop's remains are interred.

Pope Benedict XVI visited the tomb in July 2008, a visit seen by many as a major step forward in the recognition of MacKillop as a saint. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited the tomb in February 2009.

A second mass, at 11am (AEST) on Saturday at North Sydney's St Mary's Church, was expected to attract crowds of more than 8000. The service was to be shown on big screens at nearby North Sydney Oval.

MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995. This means the Vatican verified her first miracle of healing a woman of terminal leukaemia. Her case for a second miracle of healing a woman with inoperable cancer is before the Vatican for consideration.

There was speculation the sainthood could be announced to coincide with the centenary celebrations. However, that appears to be unlikely with the official line at MacKillop Memorial Chapel being that the matter will be resolved in "God's own time".

ABC Catholics remember centenary of MacKillop's death

About 1,700 people have attended a public mass in Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral on the 100th anniversary of Sister Mary MacKillop's death.

Commemorations have been held across the country, including in the South Australian town of Penola where the sister began her work setting up schools in 1866.

Sister Marion Gambin says the work of Sister MacKillop is still relevant today.

"She's certainly become more and more famous in the last few months because they associate that with the miracles," she said.

"But it's the person that she was that we want people really to get to know. Because of that, many people see her as a model and someone who they can base their own life on."

No saint?

Church leaders say they do not expect the Pope to announce Sister MacKillop's canonisation today.

The cause for the sainthood of the Catholic Sister is nearing completion in Rome, but Sister Gambin says there is slim chance of it happening today.

"We don't know when the actual announcement will be made, we know that there's still processes that have to happen before the Pope will actually make that announcement," she said.

"There's still other steps that need to go through. It's not likely to happen."

News Links:
MacKillop centenary: Thousands remember legacy
Patron Saint of Trouble Makers
Australia marks Mary MacKillop's Death
Australia waits for Saint Mary MacKillop

Inaugural Mary MacKillop Lecture

2009-08-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

Rachael Kohn talks with Rosemary Johns, writer and director of At the Centre of Light.

Inaugural Mary MacKillop Lecture

2009-06-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

We are very pleased to announce that

Dr Rachael Kohn

will be presenting the Inaugural Mary MacKillop Lecture on Wednesday, August 5 at the Corpus Christi College Cultural Centre, Nundah.

Rachael Kohn is known for her programs, The Spirit of Things and The Ark heard weekly on ABC Radio National. Her focus on spirituality and the history of religion is reflected in her training in Religious Studies (Ph.D., MA, McMaster University and BA Hon, Concordia University) and she was awarded a Doctor of Letters from the University of New South Wales in 2005 for fostering religious understanding in the community. Rachael is the author of The New Believers: Re-imagining God (2003) and Curious Obsessions in the History of Religion and Science (2007).

Wednesday, August 5, 2009. 7- 9 PM.Corpus Christi College Cultural Centre, Buckland Road, Nundah.
$20 entry includes nibbles, tea or coffee.
Tickets: Prebook – EARLY

Shirley O’Ryan - 33531502/ 0417645154 or Faye Walsh - 38630447/ 0416193506
Send cheque : JAN Qld Inc. PO BOX 59, Moorooka, Qld. 4105.

SPECIAL musical highlight - GUSTO singing songs from their newly released CD MacKillop Legacy.

Don't miss Rachel's recent broadcast:

Australia's Religious Museums

Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney is a museum devoted to the life of Mary Helen MacKillop, who was the co-founder of the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph and is on her way to being Australia's first saint. The Sydney Jewish Museum tells the story of Judaism and Jewish history, including the Holocaust and key figures going back to the First Fleet. A mystery mosaic discovered during a renovation in the Sydney suburb of Paddington proudly hangs on its wall, and awaits further identification.

Be quick - download the podcast.

Soiree success

2009-06-02T03:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Rita Miles, Gusto, eCCCos, Corpus Corpus Choir - Viva La Voce, Brian Sullivan, MAC and Anne Costigan.

Thank you to all those who attended.

Our sincerest thanks to the artists, performers, volunteers and YOU, the audience.

Please send any additional photos that you may have to poppy@gil.com.au

From The Catholic Leader

2009-05-25T05:45:00.001-07:00

Blessed Mary MacKillop given new role as patron of Brisbane Archdiocese

The Holy See has declared that Blessed Mary MacKillop is now patron of Brisbane archdiocese, causing great jubilation.

The declaration, received on May 6, follows a request from Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane who petitioned the Congregation for Divine Worship for Mary to be made diocesan patron.

Archbishop Bathersby said the Australian woman’s “deep faith, energy, courage, vision and contribution to Catholic education made her a most appropriate patron for the archdiocese”.

Provincial of the Josephites in Queensland Sr Moya Campbell said the order “was delighted” at their founder’s selection for a number of reasons, including her involvement in opening four schools for Brisbane and Maryborough’s poorer children in 1870.

Dean of St Stephen’s Cathedral Ken Howell, making the announcement in the May 10 cathedral bulletin, said he had “witnessed first hand the devotion and faith of the people expressed visibly each and every day at the archdiocesan shrine in honour of Mother Mary of the Cross”.

The shrine was established in 1999 after an announcement by Archbishop Bathersby that the first church building of Brisbane – the chapel beside the cathedral – would be restored and become a centre of devotion to Mary MacKillop.

Archbishop Bathersby said Blessed Mary MacKillop “is inspirational whether she is ‘Blessed’ or a ‘saint’ of the Church which, please God, she will be in the not too distant future”.

He said that if Blessed Mary MacKillop was canonised, as all people expected her to be, she would become not merely an inspiration for all people, but in particular for young people.

“These young people are seeking heroes and heroines and are looking for appropriate role-models for the common good of our nation, as well as for the deepening of the faith in the Australian Church,” the archbishop said.

“As a woman of faith, courage and determination, Blessed Mary MacKillop displays the best of our combined Australian and New Zealand character, and will undoubtedly attract many people, whether Catholic or not, to the joy and peace of the Christian faith.

“Following the success of World Youth Day her patronage of the archdiocese of Brisbane can only through her prayerful support make our archdiocese a more significant place of prayer and action.”

Archbishop Bathersby said he had developed a special devotion to Blessed Mary ever since celebrating a Mass in her honour in the small convent hut where she acted as housekeeper for her sisters in the later years of her life, beside Arrowtown church in New Zealand.

Sr Campbell told The Catholic Leader that the Josephites were “especially delighted” to see their founder made patron in the year of the archdiocese’s 150th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of their founder’s death.

Speaking from St Stephen’s Chapel where a wooden statue of their founder is located, Sr Campbell said the honour “is truly a recognition of the greatness of this woman and her enduring contribution to the early life of Australia”.

“She’s an inspirational woman ... Among her many qualities was her ability to inspire hope in those she met,” she said.

“Such hope is a very important quality to seek out in today’s world.”

Sr Campbell said the statue, carved from a camphor laurel tree, powerfully captured their founder’s spirit.

“Her sleeves are rolled up ready for work and the whole statue has the strength of her ... and the tree ... about it.

“It’s as though she’s coming up out of the ground as the home-grown Australian she is.”

It was most appropriate that Blessed Mary should be selected as the patron of Brisbane archdiocese, Sr Campbell said.

“In December, 1869, Mary MacKillop and five of the Sisters of St Joseph came to Brisbane and rented a house in South Brisbane.

“Mary was the eldest at 28.

“During 1870, they opened three schools for the poorer children in Brisbane and one in Maryborough.

“Mary and her companions attended Mass at St Stephen’s Church in Elizabeth Street and often prayed there before the Blessed Sacrament.”

Mary MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II on January 19, 1995.

Blessed Mary MacKillop’s cause for canonisation has been given a boost with doctors from the Medical Board of the Vatican concluding that there was no scientific explanation for the cure that had been presented to them as part of Mary’s journey to sainthood.

Congregational leader for the Sisters of St Joseph Sr Anne Derwin said this was a very encouraging step in the process towards their founder’s recognition as a saint.

“However, there is still a way to go before we can get too excited about a final outcome, and we cannot pre-empt any decision of the Church,” Sr Derwin said.

There are still a number of formal stages required before the canonisation of Mary MacKillop can occur.

“The next step is to present evidence of what’s known as ‘intercession through prayer’ to the theologians, and have their acknowledgement that the cure was indeed a miracle performed by Mary MacKillop,” she said.

“Following the theologians’ acceptance, the cause will still have to be presented to the bishops and cardinals before ultimately being presented to the pope for approval.”

Released by The Catholic Leader

May 17, 2009

Mary MacKillop - Patron

2009-05-25T05:36:00.000-07:00

Mary MacKillop declared Brisbane archdiocesan patron
Sr Moya Campbell in front of the wooden sculpture of Blessed Mary MacKillop in St Stephen’s Chapel, Brisbane.

JOSEPHITE ASSOCIATE NETWORK QLD INC - Soiree

2009-05-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

One Performance Only

Featuring renowned pianist, Rita Miles, eCCCos, MAC, Anne Costigan and Brian Sullivan along with the Corpus Christ Choir.

A great night of entertainment.....don't miss out!

Saturday, 30TH MAY 2009

7:00pm to 9:00pm - doors open at 6:30pm

Corpus Christi College Cultural Centre

Buckland Road, Nundah

Tickets: Shirley O’Ryan – 3353 1502 or 0417645154

Faye Walsh – 3863 0447 or 0416193506

Tickets can be prebooked / ½ price tickets for parents accompanying CCC students.

Light supper included. Lots of raffle prizes to be won.

Direct debit - BSB 064-786 account No 518941100 important to include a reference with your name.

eg Soiree Smith OR SEND cheque to JAN Qld Inc. and posted to PO Box 59, Moorooka. Qld. 4105.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR. Early birds get the best seats.

Photos - Pope Benedict XVI Visits Mary MacKillop Chapel

2008-11-23T05:45:00.000-08:00

See Photos - Pope Benedict XVI Visits Mary MacKillop Chapel

Mary MacKillop - The musical

2008-11-23T05:38:00.000-08:00

Does anyone know about this?....see Mary MacKillop - The musical

THANK YOU to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Provincial Team

2008-11-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

A BIG THANK YOU to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Provincial Team for hosting a wonderful evening of appreciation at the Kedron Wavell Services Club. We all thank you for your gift of hospitality and friendship and look forward to seeing you all again soon to celebrate 2009 - the anniversary of the death of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

A big EXTRA thanks for the laughs!

The Provincial Leadership Team Evening of Appreciation

2008-11-23T05:06:00.001-08:00

The Provincial Leadership Team Evening of Appreciation

2008-11-23T04:39:00.000-08:00

Mary MacKillop walk - Portland, Victoria

2008-11-23T04:29:00.000-08:00

From Melbourne Age

The Mary MacKillop Walk takes in buildings and sites which were in existence during Mary MacKillop's stay at Portland from 1862 to 1866.

Walk north along Bentinck St. Halfway along the block, to the left, is the Christian Community College. It has been built around, and completely incorporates, a 6-room stone-and-iron house built for Stephen Henty in 1851. Mary MacKillop rented that house (then known as 'Bay View') from 1863 to 1866 and there reunited her scattered family. She established her first school on this property. When Father Woods visited the MacKillops he stayed in the stables and these remain. When Mary first moved to Portland she lived with the Cameron family as a governess a little further north along Bentinck St.

Sculpture of Blessed Mary MacKillop

2008-11-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

(Photo: Annette Arnold)

From Catholic Weekly

The Archbishop of Sydney George Cardinal Pell has unveiled and blessed a sculpture of Blessed Mary MacKillop at the Australian Catholic University’s North Sydney (MacKillop) campus.

ACU National vice chancellor Professor Greg Craven commissioned the sculpture by artist Linda Klarfeld to celebrate the university’s history and ongoing affiliation with Australia’s first saint.

“It is a beautiful work and I am sure it will provide a wonderful symbol to our university community, visitors to the campus and the local community,” Prof Craven said.

Ms Klarfeld, whose sculptures are highly regarded and sought after by collectors, described Mary MacKillop as “an incredible woman” who “dared to believe in her dream”.

“That’s why I feel quite a strong connection with her,” Ms Klarfeld said. “In fact, when I was approached to make this statue, I was extremely grateful but I wasn’t surprised. I feel I was destined to make it.”

Mary MacKillop was a woman of absolute faith, commitment and dedication who devoted herself to the quest for human dignity and compassionate care for those in need.

She founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph in South Australia in 1866 and moved to a cottage in Mount St, North Sydney, in the 1880s.

In 1913, the Sisters established a training school at North Sydney for the teacher training of the Sisters of St Joseph. In 1958, lay students were admitted to the college which in 1971 became the Catholic Teachers’ College. In 1982, it became part of the Catholic College of Education.

It was at this stage that the name MacKillop was given to the campus to identify it as a discrete part of the college and to recognise the ongoing support of the Sisters of St Joseph.

At the end of 1990, the Catholic College of Education Sydney formally handed over responsibility for the college and its operations, which now rests with ACU National.

JAN Executive for 2009

2008-11-23T04:16:00.001-08:00

Update on Canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop

2008-11-08T21:30:00.001-08:00

In April 2008 a case involving a remarkable cure through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop was examined at the diocesan level in a formal canonical inquiry. The proceedings of the inquiry were taken to Rome to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints for the examination that is required at this level. The documents were formally received and opened before any study could proceed.

In June Fr. Paul Gardiner SJ, the Postulator for the Cause, and myself as vice-postulator, came to Rome to be available for on-the-spot discussions and decisions as the Roman phase of the process continues.

All the proceedings needed to be summarised in a particular format and then translated into Italian. This part has been completed with the help of some wonderful translators. The material is now with the printer to be arranged with the English in parallel with the Italian. When all is checked and correct the printed copies will be sent to two doctors for examination.

If one of these doctors sees merit in the case, the official summary and a chronology of the main events in the history of the cure will be sent to a panel of five doctors from the medica consulta. If these find positively it will go to a panel of theologians and then to the Cardinals and, finally, to the Holy Father.

Please pray that there will be no stumbling blocks along the way. It would be a marvellous outcome if the cure is declared miraculous and Mary MacKillop can be recognised as a Saint for the universal Church. It will not add to her holiness but her life will be able to be a further sign of hope to many more people who need such a sign in these days.

There is great media interest in Mary MacKillop as the Holy Father gets ready for his visit to Sydney for World Youth Day.

Last Thursday, 3rd July, a producer, cameraman and sound recordist – working for ABC television - spent 6 hours with us getting material on the cure and Mary MacKillop for the 7.30 Report. Another team had visited Mary MacKillop Place on Wednesday. The programme will go to air on July 17, the day the Pope visits the Chapel.

A reporter from SBS is coming on Tuesday 8th. He will travel with the Holy Father and about 50 other journalists to Sydney. On Wednesday, 9th, there is an interview with Vatican Radio. On Thursday night there is a briefing of the world media persons who are to travel in the plane with the Holy Father.

All the media interest will certainly make Mary more known throughout the world.

Maria Casey

7/07/08

Conference of Josephite Leaders

2008-11-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

L to R Jill Dance, Moya Campbell, Marion Gambin, Noelene Quinane, Mary Quinlan, Mary Comer, Marlene Dunn, Josephine Dubiel, Pauline Morgan, Colleen Keeble, Anne Derwin and Patricia Egan.

Tuesday 21st October was an historic day for the Sisters of St Joseph of Australia and New Zealand. The inaugural meeting of the Conference of Josephite Leaders was held at Mary MacKillop Place North Sydney.

The Vision of the Conference:
Strengthening the bonds for Mission
Acting as one for today’s Church and World

The members of the Conference are Sisters Mary Comer (Perthville) Noelene Quinane (Goulburn) Jill Dance ( Tasmania) Patricia Egan (Lochinvar) Marlene Dunn (Whanganui) Anne Derwin (North Sydney) Pauline Morgan (Western Australian Province) Colleen Keeble (Aotearoa New Zealand Province) Mary Quinlan (NSW Province) Marion Gambin (South Australian Province) Moya Campbell (Queensland Province) and Josephine Dubiel (Victorian Province)

The Sisters of St Joseph have been engaged in the healing of the separation of their history for many years. They have done this in a variety of ways, some social, some liturgical and some in the nature of pilgrimage to each other’s stories. More recent happenings include Retreats for Josephites offered across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, a combined website www.josephite.org.au, joint activities around WYD and the Josephite Leaders Social Action Office operating out Canberra.

Tuesday’s inaugural meeting of the leaders of the six congregations has paved the way for decisions to be made together for Josephite mission. The six congregations have served the people and the local Church of Australia and New Zealand, especially in rural areas and poorer parts of cities since the foundation made by Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods in Penola in 1866.

22nd October 2008

Sr Jill Dance
President of the Federation of Sisters of St Joseph

Sr Anne Derwin
Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph

On behalf of the Conference

First Indian Saint

2008-10-12T04:17:00.000-07:00

From SMH
Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated a mass to canonise India's first saint, Sister Alfonsa, who died in 1946 aged 36.

The ceremony took place in the Vatican in the presence of tens of thousands of worshippers from all over the world.

Recalling in his homily the life of the new saint, who threw herself on a bonfire to escape a forced marriage so she could enter a convent, the pope said she had been "an exceptional woman, who is offered to the people of India as their first canonised saint".

Her feet were badly burned and she was ill for the rest of her life but praised for her compassion and stoicism.

She had lived in "extreme physical and spiritual suffering", the pope said.

She "was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father.

"May we imitate her in shouldering our own crosses so as to join her one day in paradise."

"This canonisation is very important to us, especially in this moment, when we are persecuted in India," said Sister Ceelia, a member of the same Franciscan Clarist order as the new saint, who was born Anna Muttathupandathu, known as Alfonsa dell'Immacolata Concezione.

The order was founded in the southwestern region of Kerala in 1888.

"Unfortunately, there is always violence where there is love," the sister added.

Sister Ceelia was one of thousands of Indians, many of them priests and nuns, who had come to Rome from the region of Trivandrum, capital of Kerala.

India's Christian minority, making up little more than two per cent of the population, has felt particularly threatened in recent months.

Attacks by Hindu extremists on Christians in the eastern Indian state of Orissa have left 35 people dead since August.

Tens of thousands have fled and hundred of houses and dozens of churches been burned down. Benedict XVI has condemned the violence.

Others to be canonised included the Ecuadorian Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran (1832-1869), Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler (1848-1924), a missionary in Colombia and Italian Gaetano Errico (1791-1860) from Secondigliano, in the Naples region.

Official site

Her canonization will make Blessed Alphonsa the second Indian to proclaimed a Saint, the first being Gonsalo Garcia of Bombay who was matryred by crucifixion on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan and canonized by Pope Pius IX on 8 June 1862.

JAN Update

2008-09-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

Soiree

A most enjoyable musical evening was held at the Corpus Christi College Cultural Centre on Saturday 30 August. Performers included renowned pianist Rita Miles, soprano Ireni Utterley, and three excellent musical groups from Corpus Christi College – eCCCo’s, the Year 8 choir and the Madrigal choir.

The evening was compered by Poppy Masselos, JAN Committee member and editor of the Courier Mail Education Section “Headst@rt”

A delicious supper was provided by the students from Marist College, Ashgrove under the direction of Hospitality Teacher Gary Keown.

Several raffles were held during the evening together with a lucky door prize of a beautiful flower arrangement donated by Ed & Lyn Lowe of Albany Creek Florists.

Dates to Remember

19th October 2008 - Sunday - Josephite Heart Day @ 11am -2pm with Shared lunch. Venue - MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St., Dutton Park. This is open to all JAN Qld Inc members and prospective members.

15th November 2008 – Saturday – Prayer Day with Margaret Robertson rsj. “Praying to and with the Saints”. Venue St Brendan’s Catholic Parish Hall, 88 Hamilton Rd, Moorooka.

16th November 2008 - Sunday – JAN Qld Inc AGM @ 11am with shared lunch. Venue - MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St., Dutton Park.

Silver Circle Results

The Week 10 draw of our Silver Circle Series 002 was held on Saturday 30 August in conjunction with our Soiree evening.

The winners were:

1st prize - $300 - No 05 – Shirley O’Ryan
2nd prize - $200 - No 95 – Pam Levers
3rd prize - $100 - No 82 – Sr Ann Fleming

Congratulations Anne

2008-05-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Anne Bond rsj who has just finished her doctorate in the States. Anne will soon be returning as Director of Baulkham Hills.

Some links that might interest you.
St. Joseph's Spirituality Centre Baulkham Hills
St Joseph's Spirituality and Education Centre Kincumber
Mary MacKillop Foundation
Mary MacKillop Place
World Youth Day
Josephite Dreaming CD

JAN Fundraising - Silver Circle

2008-05-25T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Week 10 draw of our Silver Circle Series 001 was held on Saturday, 24 May in conjunction with an enjoyable wine and cheese afternoon attended by about 15 people.

The winners were:

1st prize - $300 - No 13 - K.Mulcahy
2nd prize - $200 - No 32 - L.Schell
3rd prize - $100 - No 36 - D. Hector

If any members wish to subscribe to Series 002, which we hope to get under way in mid-June, please contact me by return email. Depending on how may current subscribers renew, we may have only a limited number of places available. If you have been a subscriber to Series 001 and wish to renew, please contact Brian Sullivan. The cost is $20 for the 10 weeks. Please make cheques or money orders payable to JAN Qld Inc and send them to our mailing address at P O Box 59, Moorooka, Qld, 4105.

Youngest Professed Nun in Australia

2008-05-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Photo by Ben Ruston
From Sydney Morning Herald
Andrew West
May 24, 2008

ANNE-MARIE GALLAGHER was in her final year at Domremy College in Sydney's inner west when the assistant principal suggested, "you would make a good nun".

"I just laughed it off," she said. "I thought of myself as a normal teenager and, like most of my peers, [at one stage] I even questioned my faith. I just thought it was normal."

Tomorrow, however, Sister Gallagher will do something rare for a 24-year-old woman, when she takes her vows as a Josephite nun in the Mary MacKillop Chapel in North Sydney.

She has been a novice for two years and can already be called "Sister" but after tomorrow's ceremony the letters "RSJ", or Religious Sisters of St Joseph, will be added after her name.

Sister Sheila McCreanor, a Josephite leader, believes Sister Gallagher will become the youngest professed nun in Australia. "It is more common for women to enter the order in their 30s, 40s or even 50s," she said. "But someone of Anne-Marie's age is very unusual, and very exciting, for us." The average age of her fellow sisters was in the 60s.

Sister Gallagher' religious community is almost 150 years old, founded in 1866 by MacKillop, but she found her vocation on the internet.

While studying education and theology at Australian Catholic University as a 19-year-old, she came across the website for Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia. "I couldn't believe that I was [looking] there," she laughed. "Me, of all people. But for a while this feeling of being unsettled had niggled at me.

"I had dated some guys but something else, involving a deeper commitment to God, was demanding my attention."

For five years, as an "enquirer", then in the novitiate, she lived in a Kimberley Aboriginal community where her late father was a lay missionary, and worked with the aged. She wants to teach.

Professor Neil Ormerod, a theologian at Australian Catholic University, said that after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, Catholics asked, "what can I do in religious life that I can't do as a layperson?"

Now, older women entered orders. "It is part of re-evaluating their own spiritual direction," he said. "That's what makes Anne-Marie's case quite unusual."

But Sister Gallagher insists tomorrow's commitment, a "vow to God, chastity, poverty and obedience", will not mean a cloistered life. "I still call myself a social butterfly," she laughed

Dates to remember

2008-03-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

24th May 2008 - Saturday @ 2pm - Wine and Cheese for the public draw on the 10th week of the Silver Circle fundraiser Venue - MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St, Dutton Park

30th August 2008 - Saturday 7pm -9pm - Soiree Venue - Corpis Christi Auditorium, Nundah

19th October 2008 - Sunday - Josephite Heart Day @ 11am -3pm with Shared lunch Venue - MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St., Dutton Park

16th November 2008 - Sunday - JANQld Inc AGM @ 11am with Shared Lunch Venue - MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St., Dutton Park

MacKwood Retreat - invitation extended to JAN members on Friday 4th,[ @ 4pm] 5th & 6th April 2008 @ Mary Haven, Scarborough - finishes at lunch time Sunday

MacKwood Prayer Dates - Sunday 25th May 2008 @ 4pm with Shared meal - Sunday 20th July 2008 @ 4pm with Shared meal - Sunday 26th October 2008 @ 4pm 'Break-up' with shared dinner

Contact details phone Faye Walsh - 38630447