News and Events

Tasmanian Josephite Retreat

From 11th to 17th November, sixteen Sisters of St Joseph from every province and congregation in Australia and New Zealand gathered at Emmanuel Centre, Launceston, for a prayerful reflection on their own vocation story, the story of our nurturing groups and the great Mystery who has shaped our common history.

The team leaders, Bridie O’Connell (NSW), Carmel Drew (Goulburn) and Carmel Moore (Lochinvar) presented sessions on the Seasons which provide the backdrop to all the events, past and present, which allow God’s life to flourish in us.

In the beautiful setting of the retreat house garden, there was ample time to pray, to share and to look ahead with hope to a new springtime for us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The words of Leonie Mayne RSJ of Western Australia express the joy so many felt.

“I want to share my deep gratitude for the retreat you have just led us through. Each of you has a manner of delivery which is inviting, reassuring and in characteristic way playful. Thank you for the hours you have put into listening with ears low to hear what God wanted said. Thank you, too, for the beautiful pictures you used to offset the thought being shared. Each day was like being set before a picnic basket with the invitation to open and enjoy. At this time in our Josephite history I think this work you have been called to is an expression of God’s tender graciousness to us all. We are being invited to look again, love again and listen low. Wherever the Spirit will lead us in these next years I believe I have had the blessing of a profound retreat which has prepared me to go forward loving the charism I have been formed in – and yet ready to create what space is needed to enable us to stand together, laugh together, cry together, pray together and work together. God is already in the future moments. I am not afraid now to go where the Spirit of God is already dancing.”