MORE than 30 Josephite Sisters celebrated almost 2000 combined years of religious life at their diamond jubilee this month.
Congregational Leader Sr Monica Cavanagh welcomed the 21 jubilarians, who celebrated 60 years of religious life, Sisters, and guests at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney.
“Sixty years ago these Sisters embarked on a journey, a journey with the divine spark of God’s love which led them into the midst of God’s people,” Sr Cavanagh said.
“These Sisters have lived the spirit and charism entrusted to the Congregation by (St) Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods.
“They have done it with commitment, generosity, and faithfulness.
“We honour them for indeed God has done great things in them and it fills us with joy.”
Jubilarian Sr Eileen Lenihan moved from Ireland to Australia in 1959 and remembered feeling inspired by the mission and ministries of the Josephites.
“Like those Sisters, I wanted to do something spectacular and significant with my life,” Sr Lenihan said.
“I read about the Sisters of Saint Joseph teaching children in Australia and I thought that is what I would like to do.”
After profession in 1963, Sr Lenihan completed teacher training and was sent to work in schools in Western Australia.
She attended the University of Notre Dame Australia where she prepared student teachers for working in Catholic Education.
“Looking back at 60 years, my initial aspiration to come to Australia to teach in rural areas shaped how I perceive life,” Sr Lenihan said.
“I have a great appreciation of First Nations people, the experience of people being landless, a sense of justice and injustice in our society.”
Sr Monica invited all the Jubilarians to renew their vows and celebrate their ongoing commitment to Jesus and his Church.