Josephite Associate Network Qld. Inc.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

2011-11-17T19:11:00.001-09:00

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6 November, 2011 - PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
After the celebrations and festivities of 2009 and 2010, this year, 2011 has given us the opportunity to slow our pace, take time to strengthen bonds within our group and offer support to one another in developing and living out our charism.

Continuing on from our immersion in the charism of St Mary MacKillop last year, Sr Margaret Robertson has been very involved in frequent communications to the membership, not only keeping everyone abreast of JAN matters, but disseminating information about the whole Josephite family and keeping us motivated by further input on the charism of Mary MacKillop.

Our partnership with the Sisters has been nurtured by shared celebrations such as St Joseph’s Day at Nundah, the Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop and the Anniversary of the Canonisation. Also we have been represented on the Liturgy Committee and the MacKillop Committee.

The Provincial Leadership Team, led by Provincial, Sr Moya Campbell continued to take an interest in our growth and activities and actively supported us in the organisation of the Memorial Lecture on October 11, featuring Bishop Bill Morris as our guest speaker. Many Sisters were in attendance at the Lecture and Office Staff helped us with advertising and as the contact point for people wishing to attend.

The Memorial Lecture was hugely successful with people very appreciative of Bishop Bill’s spirituality, scholarship and self-hood. The sense of solidarity and support for Bishop Bill was very obvious and people took the opportunity to articulate their concerns about the crisis in Toowoomba. Bishop Bill’s dealing with the situation has been reminiscent of St Mary MacKillop’s difficulties with the hierarchy so it was valuable to hear his insights into Mary’s spirituality.

Thankfully, the night was also financially successful with minimal costs owing to the generosity of St Mary MacKillop College community, the Sisters and our own very hard-working and talented members.

During the year we offered opportunities to socialise with shared meals and an invitation to join in meetings. We had a special afternoon-tea with Faye Walsh and Lenore Bateman, both of whom continued to shine through their illnesses. Some of us were blessed to spend time again with Faye at the Feast Day celebrations. Faye continued to dress with style throughout her illness and to smile gently often and impishly sometimes.

Faye left this life and was born into eternal life on 21 September. Her life was celebrated in fitting style both here in Brisbane and in Murwillumbah where she is interred near other family members. She was a truly remarkable woman and our inaugural President who has left us her own legacy.

We extend our sympathy to her husband, Brian Sullivan and to all her family. Father John Scarrott has offered a Requiem Mass for her on behalf of JAN.

Our Prayer Outreach has encompassed many members, family and friends and we have incorporated a Prayer Time into our Newsletter. Many prayers are requests for those who are ill but some are in thanksgiving for blessings received. Sr Therese Wilson led a Retreat at Maryhaven on the last week-end of April, a very special time for Retreatants.

The routine work of our Team was carried out steadily. Thank you to members, Guido de Glas, Shirley O’Ryan, Brian Sullivan and Joan Mason, who successfully run our Silver Circle providing us with funds to pay accounts and make donations. Donees were Good Grief for children in flooded areas, the Motor Neurone Association in honour of Faye, the Angel Project for women prisoners and the Mary MacKillop International Fund for assistance to the Sisters’ mission in Peru.

Further work has been done on the One plus One Program which has entered the Power Point stage. Thanks to Joan Mason, Liz Links and Marg Robertson for their efforts. I also enjoyed making a contribution.

Monica O’Rourke has designed a new brochure for attracting prospective applicants and has also produced a Certificate of Membership. Thanks also to Monica’s efforts we now have name badges available.

This year we have two new members, Pattie Lee and Carolyn Foley. Congratulations and welcome to our newcomers.

Thanks to Brian Sullivan for publishing our Newsletter and to all who submitted an article, information and photographs. We hope the addition of photographs has been a worthwhile exercise and we would welcome other contributions or ideas.

In conclusion I would like to thank all the Committee Management Team for their dedication, hard work and faithfulness to our enterprise. I have truly seen the response to “Never see a need without doing something about it” carried out with Josephite hearts.

I wish the incoming team a successful and satisfying term. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the prayers of Mary MacKillop and the commitment of the membership, I have every confidence in the future of JAN Qld Inc.

Eileen Sullivan.

MEETING DATES 2012

2011-11-14T19:05:00.001-09:00

February 12th

April 15th

June 17th

August 12th

AGM November 11th

All meeting days start with shared lunch at 12.30 and meeting starts at 2pm.

Venue:
Mackwood Life
8 Dutton St.
Dutton Park

Everyone is invited to come to shared lunch. If you wish you can also come to the meeting. Only elected committee members can vote.

Josephite Heart day: 14th October, 11am till 2pm with shared lunch.

Charism conference at Nundah. 29th July.

AGM

2011-11-07T19:37:00.002-09:00

2011 Mary MacKillop Lecture

2011-10-15T02:18:00.018-09:00

A transcript of Bishop Bill Morris' lecture will be available shortly.

Dear Faye

2011-09-24T13:49:00.002-09:00

We will always remember you WITH A JOSEPHITE HEART.

Faye walsh

Afternoon tea with Faye

2011-07-10T17:41:00.012-09:00

"So great is the strength we possess in our unity." Mary MacKillop (1874)

"God wants us to take fresh courage." Mary Mackillop (1877)

"Have courage, trust in God and you need have no fear." Mary Mackillop (1905)

Mary MacKillop showed great courage when things were difficult. I pray that we are all strong in this courage too. Faye and Brian...we are here for you. Just call!

Faye....your EYES always FLASH your beautiful SOUL to US .....THANK YOU!

With a Josephite heart always!

Dates to remember - 2011

2010-12-12T02:45:00.002-09:00

Sunday 13 February – Para-Liturgy 12:00 followed by shared BBQ/lunch. MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St, Dutton Park. All members welcome. Committee Meeting at 3:00pm.

Saturday 19 March – St Joseph’s Day. Mass at 11:00am in Corpus Christi Church followed by light refreshments in Nolan Hall.

JAN Qld Inc Retreat – Date & details TBA

Mary MacKillop Memorial Lecture – Date & details TBA.

Sunday 7 August – Mary MacKillop Feastday. Again most likely at Nundah. Details TBA.

Sunday 9 October – Josephite Heart Day. MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton Street, Dutton Park. 11:00am start. Bring lunch to share. Ritual and welcome of new members after lunch.

Sunday 16 October – Anniversary of Canonisation. Details TBA.

Sunday 6 November – JAN Qld Inc Annual General Meeting. MacKwood Life, 8 Dutton St, Dutton Park. Shared lunch 12:00pm followed by AGM at 1:00pm. If unable to attend, please submit Proxy.

Friday 25 November – Norman Hotel – 7:00pm – Christmas gathering for Committee and JAN Members

Living in the Spirit of Mary MacKillop Conference

2010-08-28T01:41:00.016-09:00

Guess who's singing in Rome?

2010-08-28T01:36:00.002-09:00

An 'ordinary' saint inspires song of love
By: Selina Venier

Inspired by saint: Mary Fletcher has drawn great inspiration from Blessed Mary MacKillop
SO inspired by Blessed Mary MacKillop, whose feast is today (August 8), Brisbane's Mary Fletcher responded musically.

"Music has always been a very big part of my life," the drama and music specialist at Mary MacKillop College, Nundah, said.

"When I first began teaching at (the then) Corpus Christi College I was asked by a Sister of St Joseph if I could possibly write a song about Mary MacKillop.
"(She hoped it) could be sung by the girls attending this Josephite school.

"As I did the reading and research ... I became more and more inspired and awe-struck by the story of this incredible pioneering woman.

"My spirit was moved."

The result of that inspiration was A Woman for Our Time, a song Mary said "describes the love Mother Mary had for her people and the passion with which she fought for the rights of the poor and for justice".

It was "aired", she said, with the backing of The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and "became almost an anthem for the Josephite order and its schools in Australia and New Zealand".

That beginning heralded nine other songs related to Blessed Mary's "values and charism".

Stanthorpe-born Mary, one of four siblings, said her upbringing was testament to such outcomes today.

"I was very lucky to be born into a family where faith and prayer were always important and shaped so much of who I am today," Mary said.

"Both sets of grandparents were musically gifted as is my mother - a talented pianist who has worked for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music for the past twenty-five years."

Mary began piano lessons at age six with the Sisters of Mercy, soon progressing to the violin.

"I learnt some hard lessons from them (the sisters) but am so grateful for the persistent dedicated push they gave me to achieve my best in the field of music," she said.

"Achieving well" musically, this "early dedication to music" prepared her for the future.

"When I was fifteen I decided that I wanted to branch out musically," Mary said.

"I saved up to buy my first guitar and taught myself to play.

"I never looked back as this instrument led me into writing my own music."

As such, Mary has been "heavily involved in the folk scene" performing solo and with a band at festivals and events "all around the country".

She's also taught at St Joseph's College, Toowoomba, and All Hallows' School, Brisbane.

"Music is very important to me in my chosen career as a teacher," Mary said.

"I am a drama teacher but have always involved myself heavily in the music area of schools in which I have taught.

"My particular interest in music has expressed itself in writing and singing songs relating to issues of social justice and I'm particularly interested in composing songs for youth."

That platform led to the "eCCCos singing group" at Mary MacKillop College.

"I formed the eCCCos group in the 1990s together with (Josephite) Sister Patricia Boman," Mary said.

"(It was) a small singing group that would concentrate on singing justice material and songs relating to MacKillop values.

"It would also be a group to foster self-esteem and self-confidence in girls - especially those who could be 'at risk'.

"The main aim for the group is to 'give joy' through music.

"(And) along the way various staff members have also joined.

"It is a true 'community' group."

eCCCos members, accompanied by Mary, were at a parliamentary reception for Catholic Education Week at the Francis Rush Centre on July 27.

They have also performed at Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney, and Brisbane City Hall, while their compositions are known from Nundah to "the Andes in Peru (and) to the Highlands of Scotland", Mary said.

As well as taking part in the college's activities for today's feast day Mary is "really excited" about the October 17 canonisation in Rome.

"We are talking about an incredible Australian woman who isn't this 'inaccessible' saint that we've seen depicted in Christian art from a medieval age who lived in another world, another land," Mary said.

"Here is a woman that we actually have photos of and letters and things that belonged to her.

"She was a woman who inhabited and lived in and walked in the same places that we might go or have been in our own country, even here in Queensland.

"She was an 'ordinary' woman who achieved 'extraordinary' things.

"Mary MacKillop saw goodness, saw God in all of us and I think she would say 'there's a saint in all of us', too."

Centre of Light

2010-08-28T01:30:00.005-09:00

Date claimers

2010-06-18T13:27:00.003-09:00

July 4 Hostel Mini Fete 10.15am.

July 4th Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm.

July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual. 2.30 pm Nudgee cemetery. (Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome).

July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College.

August 1 Discover Mary MacKillop’s’ Brisbane; Guided Pilgrimage $16 Leaving Nundah 1.30pm. Phone 0732661300 to book.

There will be a novena in preparation for feast day and a four week reflection sheet in preparation “A Glimpse into the life of Mary MacKillop.”

August 4 An evening with Mary MacKillop by David Burke, journalist and writer. Presented by JAN Inc at Mary MacKillop College Nundah.

August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall.

August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)

August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College. Contact 0732661300 for further information.

September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont).

October 17 Canonisation Event; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm.

Film Night "Soul of the Sunburnt Country" and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College September 10th. Gold coin entry fee

Dates to remember

2010-05-02T22:51:00.001-09:00

Some dates that Sister Margaret has forwarded:

June 20 90 Years Celebration – Annerley

July 4 Hostel Mini Fete 10.15am

July 4 Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm

July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual (Time to be decided)( Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome)

July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College

August 1 Brisbane Pilgrimage (Time to be decided)

August 4 MacKillop Memorial Lecture, Mary MacKillop College, Presented by JAN Inc

August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in Parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall

August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)

August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College

September 10th Film Night “Soul of the Sunburnt Country” and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College

September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont)

October 17 “Canonisation Event‘; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm

News briefs

2009-12-11T12:58:00.007-09:00

Australian Bishops Ready for Canonization of Mary MacKillop

ST AUGUSTINE’S College - $2 million primary building, the Mary MacKillop Centre.

Josephite book "compelling reading"

On Wednesday December 2nd ‘From Humble Beginnings’, the story of the Josephite Sisters in Victoria, was launched at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in East Melbourne by Josephine Cafagna. Josephine, the popular presenter of State Line, was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph in both primary and secondary school.

Guests, seated outdoors in front of the historic building, recalled 120 years of story. The book was launched from the veranda of the 1902 House of Providence designed by Mary MacKillop. Mary knew this area well; she was born ‘just around the corner’ in Brunswick Street Fitzroy.

The story of Mary MacKillop’s childhood, youth and young adulthood in the Colony is of course well known. The story of her return to central Victoria in 1890 accompanying three Sisters who were to set up the first St Joseph’s Convent in the Colony, and of her subsequent involvement in the rapid development of further openings in Victoria makes for compelling reading.

Mary and the Sisters arrived in Numurkah on January 12th 1890, in the blistering heat of a drought: day after day the temperature reached ‘more than 100 degrees in the shade’. Mary wrote, ‘…a humble beginning for a great work…’ A few weeks later Mother Bernard, then the Congregational Leader, accompanied three more Sisters to establish the second convent and school in Bacchus Marsh.

The world-wide depression of the 1890s had hit Melbourne particularly hard; land prices collapsed and the inner city was a place of destitution and despair. Though the first foundations were for rural schools, within months Archbishop Carr urged the Sisters to assist the newly founded Home for Destitute Children in rural Surrey Hills.

By May 21st 1890 the Sisters were at Surrey Hills, by 1893 the home was so overcrowded that children sometimes slept three to a bed; lacking chairs in the dining room they ate meals standing. The Sisters ate in a corrugated iron shed. Mary guided the home at Surrey Hills through its precarious beginnings: she travelled the countryside seeking donations for the needs of the children in the Home, while visiting children who were placed in foster care.

The Archbishop’s next request was for Sisters to work in the notorious neighbourhood of Little Lonsdale Street. He wrote, ‘Only by living in the area could much good be done.’ He feared that the Sisters would object, but Mary replied that this was ‘where the real work lies’. In October 1891 Mary, accompanied by Sister Gertrude Hayman, moved to 43-45 Latrobe Street. They set up a shelter for homeless young women and a night school for children; they managed a soup kitchen and distribution of food and clothing in the back yard. They called this venture, which once more depended completely on donations, St Joseph’s Providence. There were no grants or project funds; the Sisters prayed that God would provide for them through the generosity of Melbourne people.

Thus began the Victorian chapter of the Josephite story. The Sisters responded to Victorian need while the challenges of Victoria, particularly among the poorest people, shaped and re-shaped their spirit. The book traces the story of the Sisters through the decades: the World Wars and their aftermath, the Great Depression, the population growth in the western suburbs and the Latrobe Valley, the soldier settlement blocks, the influx of migrants to the schools and parishes, the contacts with Aboriginal Australians.

Jill Barnard, the author of this history, is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and of Master of Arts in Public History at Monash University; Jill has worked as a professional historian for almost 20 years. Her research has led her into varied areas of Victoria’s history and her published works include Welcome and Farewell: The Story of Station Pier with Sonia Jennings and Holding on to Hope: A History of the Founding Agencies of MacKillop Family Services co-authored with Karen Twigg.

The result is a hard covered book of 220 pages, historically rigorous, illustrated with more than 100 photographs, and attractively designed. During refreshments after the launch Jill signed copies of the book; some were sold boxed and ready for mailing, some were sold wrapped ready for Christmas giving.

Jill said, ‘It has been my aim in this history not only to coax out the Josephite spirit as it was expressed in Victoria but also to portray as far as possible the Sisters as individual women’.

See also FORMIDABLE WOMEN, HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

150th celebrations draw to a close

Time to thank Timorese: Bradbury

Christmas THANK YOU celebration

2009-12-11T12:42:00.013-09:00

JAN QLD INC. Committee, 2010

2009-11-15T00:17:00.003-09:00

Linda Schostakowski, Shannon Porteils, Monica O'Rourke, Brian Sullivan, Sr Margaret Robertson, Guido De Glas, Eileen Sullivan, Fr John Scarrott, Glenda Milne, Joan Mason and Maree O'Brien.

JAN Qld INC. Executive Committee

2009-11-15T00:08:00.001-09:00

Congratulations to Monica O'Rourke (Vice-President), Margaret Robertson RSJ (Secretary), Brian Sullivan (Treasurer) with Eileen Sullivan, President.

JAN QLD INC. President for 2010

2009-11-15T00:02:00.004-09:00

Congratulations to Eileen Sullivan, our new JAN President.

Farewell President Faye Walsh

2009-11-14T23:43:00.000-09:00

A sad day today as we all farewelled out-going JAN President, Faye Walsh.
Words are not enough to describe the gratitude that everyone feels for the monumental effort that Faye has put in as inaugural JAN President.

Mary MacKillop 100 Concert

2009-11-14T23:42:00.000-09:00

Josephite Heart Day

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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.

2009-08-08T01:25:00.000-09:00

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

2009-08-08T01:05:00.000-09:00

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

2009-08-08T01:03:00.000-09:00

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

Inaugural Mary MacKillop Lecture

2009-06-02T02:46:00.000-09:00

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

2009-06-02T01:49:00.000-09:00

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

2009-05-25T03:45:00.001-09:00

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

2009-05-25T03:36:00.000-09:00

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

2009-05-25T03:18:00.000-09:00

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

2008-11-23T04:45:00.000-09:00

See Photos - Pope Benedict XVI Visits Mary MacKillop Chapel

Mary MacKillop - The musical

2008-11-23T04:38:00.000-09:00

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

THANK YOU to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Provincial Team

2008-11-23T04:22:00.000-09:00

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

2008-11-23T04:06:00.001-09:00

The Provincial Leadership Team Evening of Appreciation

2008-11-23T03:39:00.000-09:00

Mary MacKillop walk - Portland, Victoria

2008-11-23T03:29:00.000-09:00

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

2008-11-23T03:22:00.000-09:00

(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

2008-11-23T03:16:00.001-09:00

Update on Canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop

2008-11-08T20:30:00.001-09:00

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

2008-11-08T20:19:00.000-09:00

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

2008-10-12T02:17:00.000-09:00

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

2008-09-15T00:40:00.000-09:00

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

2008-05-27T23:12:00.000-09:00

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

2008-05-25T00:39:00.000-09:00

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

2008-05-24T18:09:00.000-09:00

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

2008-03-04T13:30:00.000-09:00

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

Stations of the Cross by Helen Barnes

2008-02-23T17:23:00.000-09:00

Sr Helen Barnes is the author of a book and original painted illustrations which depict the 'stations' of the people of our land who share in the sufferings of Jesus.
The Cross: An Australian Journey, hopes to “challenge us to find evidence of the risen Christ in the events and people we meet, and in our inner being where the touch of the spirit may be barely visible” and “brings to mind for our meditation, the sufferings of those living in the Australian environment.”

Exhibit and book - MacKillop Place

Josephites celebrate National Apology

2008-02-23T17:16:00.000-09:00

Josephites around Australia celebrated the National Apology to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Historic Day

2008-02-13T01:10:00.000-09:00

Kevin Rudd 13/2/2008
"Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and
governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these
our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their
descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the
breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a
proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be
received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the
nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of
our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to
a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must
never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous
and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life
expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring
problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal
partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the
next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."

Paul Keating:
"A country has always got to look for its golden threads and when we start looking for the black threads you lose your way," he said. "We lost our way for a decade looking for black threads. What is important is that when policy cut across the human spirit we are always in for misery and as a consequence the stolen generation was a cut right across the spirit of those people and the soul of the country."

Formation Day and 2008 JAN Team

2008-02-13T01:07:00.000-09:00

Margaret McKenna RSJ and JAN President, Faye Walsh

JAN Chaplin, Father John Scarrott with Eileen Armstrong receiving membership kit

Fr. John Scarrott presenting membership kit to Joan Mason
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Poppy Masselos
Cheryl Blair
Margaret Tainen
Mary Fletcher
Joan Mason
Guido de Glas
Sr. Margaret Robertson (PLT Representative)
Fr John Scarrott (Chaplain)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT Faye Walsh
VICE PRESIDENT Kathryn Downing
SECRETARY Shirley O’Ryan
TREASURER Brian Sullivan

President's Report

2008-02-12T03:11:00.000-09:00

AGM – Committee of Management Report

The past year has been exciting and fruitful for JAN Qld Inc. It has been a period of growth, of learning, and of achievements. Major highlights have been completion of our Strategic Plan, signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Qld Province of the Sisters of St Joseph and some successful fundraising ventures.

Following on from our Incorporation, we have obtained an Australian Business Number. We now need to follow up this process to register as a Charitable Organisation for taxation purposes.

From a spiritual perspective, a meeting was held with Canon Lawyers Fr Frank Morrissey from Canada and Sr Mary Casey to discuss the process required for Canonical recognition from the Church by becoming a Private Juridic Person.

After much discussion, many letters and a meeting with Sr Margaret Robertson and the Qld Province solicitors, the Memorandum of Understanding between JAN Qld Inc and the Qld Province of the Sisters of St Joseph was signed on Mary MacKillop Day this year. This was a significant milestone and the MoU has been well received and acknowledged by other members of the Josephite Congregation throughout Australia.

With the help or our mentor Janet Hughes, our Strategic Plan has been completed. This is a “living” document which will need to be updated every couple of years. With the assistance of Sr Moya Campbell, work has commenced on development of our policies. To fit in with the Memorandum of Understanding, these are being done in a format similar to that used by the Qld Province.

With the help of a grant of $5000 from CLRIQ, development of our long awaited Spiritual Companioning Program has commenced and a framework has been developed. Following issues with copyright, it has been decided that we will continue to develop this program “in house.”

There has been a steady growth in membership over the past year with the acceptance of 17 new members. Our membership now stands at 33, with 14 Life Members, 17 Ordinary Members and 2 Organisational members. A promotional tour to Millmerran was undertaken last November by Guido DeGlas and Eileen Armstrong and another is planned for early next year.

In August, along with other Josephite Associates and Friends of the Sisters, we were invited to a morning of facilitated conversation with the Sisters of St Joseph as part of their Provincial Chapter. This gave both us and the sisters the opportunity to exchange views and ideas and for us to promote JAN Qld Inc. It was a most informative and successful session.

Throughout the year we have held a number of successful fundraising events. The major purpose of these is to ensure that we have the funds to cover our annual Insurance costs, which are currently around $4000 per year. We have also been blessed with a number of generous donations to assist with these costs.

At one of our Strategic Planning sessions last year, one of the participants used the phrase “With a Josephite Heart”. By that evening, Mary Fletcher had written a song with that title and put it to music. This culminated in the production of 500 CDs of which over 300 have been sold or otherwise distributed. Our sincere thanks to Mary for generously donating this work to JAN for our fundraising

In July we held a very successful Soiree featuring Mary’s mother, Rita Miles, the eCCCo’s from Corpus Christi College and other artists. This raised over $900 and the feedback received about the evening was such that we will probably hold another one next year

At the Soiree, we launched our Art Union. Books of tickets were sent to all members and the response has been most pleasing. The Art Union will be drawn today and is expected to raise about $1300. Our next fundraising venture, the brainchild of Guido, is a Silver Circle which is run over a 10 week period. If we can run 4 of these per year, the funds generated will pay for most of our Insurance costs

Also being launched today is our booklet “In the Spirit of Mary MacKillop” which has been developed by Guido DeGlas, Eileen Armstrong, Sr Therese Wilson and Sr Joan Finucane. Thank you to these generous people for the effort they have put into this booklet

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks must also go to Sr Margaret Robertson, the Provincial Leadership Team and the Sisters of St Joseph here in Queensland for the support and encouragement which they have given to JAN Qld Inc over the past year. Our particular thanks to Sr Annette Arnold, the PLT representative on our Committee of Management and Sr Joan Finucane, for their willingness to be there whenever we needed them.

I would like to thank the Committee of Management for the support that they have given to me and the effort they have put in to making this a successful year for JAN Qld Inc. It has been a lot of hard work, with quite a few challenges, and lots of fun times along the way.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you the members for your support throughout the year. I encourage you to continue your support of JAN in whatever ways you can, whether that be by supporting our fundraising ventures, coming along to meetings and Formation Days, your prayerful support or helping out in whatever other ways you are able.

- Faye Walsh 11/11/07

New J.A.N. members

2008-02-12T02:11:00.000-09:00

Congratulations and Farewell!

2008-02-12T01:51:00.000-09:00

Farewell to Sister Annette Arnold @ recent JAN meeting.

Sr Anne Derwin, director of the Mary MacKillop Place Mission in North Sydney, has been elected Congregational Leader of the Josephites in Australia. Along with Sr Sheila McCreanor from the South Australian Province, Sr Ann Gilroy from the New Zealand Province, Sr Eileen Lenihan from the Region of Ireland and our own Sr Annette Arnold from our local Qld. Province.

Congratulations Annette ..Thanks for all your great work with J.A.N.

Changes to our blog site.

2008-02-11T23:02:00.000-09:00

There have been some changes associated with our previous Blogger blog. Those of you who are new to JAN are encouraged to look at previous posts on our other blog. There is some JAN history and photos.

Previous Blog address

2008-02-11T22:59:00.000-09:00

See
http://josephiteassociatenetworkinc.blogspot.com/