THE Josephites new leader in Australia, Sr Anne Derwin, says the biggest challenge facing the order is to continue its mission despite diminishing numbers.
“Clearly lay people are part of the ongoing answer to the challenge,” Sr Derwin said.
Sr Derwin made the comments soon after details of the new Josephites congregational leadership team were announced recently.
A ritual of thanksgiving and taking up of office within the celebration of the Eucharist at North Sydney’s Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel on March 1, marked the beginning of the new leadership team’s role.
The team’s election, by delegates at the 25th general chapter of the congregation, was held last October.
The other members of the new leadership team included Sisters Annette Arnold from Queensland, Sheila McCreanor from South Australia (who was also in the previous team), Ann Gilroy from New Zealand and Eileen Lenihan from Ireland.
The outgoing team of Sisters Katrina Brill, Joan Healey, Monica Cavanagh, Sheila McCreanor and Pat Malone were given a standing ovation for their contribution over the past six years.
Prior to her latest leadership role, Sr Derwin was provincial of NSW from 1996 to 2002. Last year she was chief executive officer of Mary MacKillop Place.
New provincial and regional leaders appointed for the next three years were Sr Pauline Morgan (Western Australia), Sr Marion Gambin (South Australia), Sr Josephine Dubiel (Victoria), Sr Mary Quinlan (NSW), Sr Moya Campbell(Queensland), Sr Colleen Keeble (Aotearoa, New Zealand) and Sr Margaret O’Sullivan (Ireland).
