Federation

Beyond the local Church of Tasmania, our Congregation has strong ties with other dioceses in Australia and New Zealand.  While we are an autonomous body, with our own Leadership Team led by the Sister Guardian, our Congregation has been, since July 28, 1967, a member of the Federation of the Australian-New Zealand Sisters of St Joseph.  With four other congregations from Perthville, Whanganui, Goulburn and Lochinvar, we follow a common, approved Constitution, A Future and A Hope.  The first President of the Federation was Mother Tarcisius Saunders from Goulburn.

Members of the Tasmanian leadership team, with other leadership teams from our four sister congregations, form the Federation Council.  This council meets annually to make decisions which affect all five member congregations. 

Since the inception of Federation, many sisters have availed themselves of the opportunity to experience life in another diocese or branch of the Federation.  They have accepted a transfer for a temporary period to minister with another group of sisters in the Federation.  Such transfers have sown the seeds for on-going ties between sisters and between branches of the Federation.  Early links are now strengthening and have expanded to encompass much activity with the Central Josephites (formerly referred to as the “Brown Josephites”) 

Tasmanian Josephites also became involved with the House of Studies at Lyneham, Canberra, established as a joint venture between Goulburn and Lochinvar.  From here, junior professed sisters had the opportunity for teacher training and studied at Signadou Dominican Teachers College or at the Australian National University.  Lasting friendships were formed during this period and shaped the sisters’ experience of Federation in the following years. 

A combined newsletter which was distributed on the Feast Day of Fr Julian was shared amongst the branches of the Federation for a number of years.  This newsletter has now expanded to include all members of the Josephite Movement in Australian and New Zealand. 

All members of the Federation celebrate Federation Day on 28 July and share in common a prayer specially composed for the occasion.  

We also have a special Federation Prayer for Unity: