ADORERS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST - CROATIAN SISTERS - asc
 

Maria De Mattias was born and baptized in Vallercorsa, Italy, on February 4, 1805. In her home and especially from her father she learned to pray and to love Scripture and to be open to the action of the Spirit. Her wisdom in daily living, her mystical experiences and the soundness of her simple theology, as reflected in the hundreds of letters she wrote, show how grace and nature were united in Maria. Maria De Mattias was a woman passionately dedicated to God and to her “dear neighbour.”

Maria responded to God’s call with the radical enthusiasm of a true disciple of the Lord, and she encouraged her sisters to do the same. “Happy will we be”. She wrote to them, “if we can give our lives and all our blood for the faith, in order to save even one person.” Maria died in Rome on August 20, 1866. On October 1, 1950, she was beatified by Pope Pius XII, and she was canonised a saint by Pope John Paul II on May 18, 2003. Her remains are venerated in Rome at the Church of the Precious Blood, at the generalate of the congregation she founded.

Today more than 2,200 Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) work on all the continents in twenty-three nations: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, India, Italy, Korea, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United States of America.

The Adorers are recognised by the distinctive silver lockets they wear ��" a heart engraved with three drops, which represent the Blood of Jesus, and a cross. The locket was designed by their foundress, Saint Maria De Mattias, to symbolize the Congregation’s commitment to promoting reconciliation.

Mission and Ministry:

Our corporate mission in the Church is to collaborate with Christ in his work of redemption. We accomplish this mission by witnessing to God’s love and ministering that love to others, especially the poor, the oppressed, and the deprived. Through our varied ministries of evangelization and human development, our prayer, and our sharing in the cross of Christ, we participate day by day in the building up of the body of Christ, so that all creation can move toward “that beautiful order of things which the great Son of God came to establish in his blood.” We serve in joy and simplicity, confident that the Spirit will sanctify us as we minister to others, identifying us more and more in likeness to Christ crucified and risen. (Constitution of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, #3)

The time came for the Adorers to set foot on Australian soil in 1963. The sisters were sent from the provincial house in Zagreb ��" Croatia, at the request of the parish priest in Melbourne. The sisters had come out to help the migrants that had come from Croatia to Australia to have a better life. As time had gone by many of the ministries have changed, according to the needs of the people. At the present moment there are only 8 of us here in Australia, working within the Croatian communities for the Croatian people.

We are serving our neighbour in the following ministries:

• Pastoral ministry

• Catechism

• Liturgy

• Aged care

• Youth ministry

• Welfare work

• Associate members

Formation:

After a candidate has been accepted, the province assumes together with her the responsibility for her initiation into a life of consecration according to our unique charism in the Church. The formation of new members is under the general direction of the provincial superior and council.

• a time of initial contact and sharing of our life in community (postulancy), for not less than three months and ordinarily not more than two years;
   
• a period of not less than one year and not more than two years (novitiate), which includes twelve months in the novitiate community, and which includes the following: intensive study, prayer and reflection on the Word of God, the constitution, and the meaning of response to God’s call as a religious woman in the Church; and a time of apostolic experience.
   
• a time of temporary vows to live the gospel counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience as a member of our congregation, according to our constitution; this time is to be not less than a total of three years, nor more than six; temporary vows may be made for one, two or three years’ duration, as specified by each provincial plan.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Angela Jurinic
179 Stanley St,
North Adelaide SA  5006 

Phone: 08 8267 3626

Fax: 08 8267 3930

Email: sisteraj@hotmail.com

The Benedictines osb

The Benedictine Nuns at Jamberoo Abbey, NSW were founded from England in 1849. John Bede Polding, first Catholic Archbishop of Australia, and Benedictine Monk of Downside Abbey in England, brought the two founding Nuns, Scholastica Gregory and Magdalen le Clerc, to Australia, where they began Benedictine Monastic life for women on February 2nd, 1849. This first Benedictine monastery for women, on a Colonial property at Rydalmere, west of Sydney, came to be known as Subiaco. The community lived here at Subiaco until 1957, when encroaching industry caused them to move to a rural property at Pennant Hills. In Australia’s bicentennial year, 1988, the community moved once more, and began anew at Jamberoo, on the south coast of NSW, in the Diocese of Wollongong. The Benedictine Abbey at Jamberoo, is situated on the Jamberoo Mountain and has been built with natural materials harmonising in every way with the environment, and breaking with the more traditional European structures. Jamberoo Abbey is an Australian Abbey for Australian women who want to live the monastic life today. The community consists of thirty nuns and 250 oblates, men and women from all walks of life who make a commitment to daily prayer and gospel values, in the spirit of St. Benedict.

Mission and Ministry:

The Benedictine women at Jamberoo Abbey give their lives to a ministry of prayer and worship. The principal work of the nuns is the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, seven times daily, in the Abbey Church. The Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office, as it is known to all, is the official prayer of the Church, and therefore is the prayer which is prayed by the community, on behalf of and in union with, all people of Australia, and throughout the world. The Liturgy of the Hours consists mainly of the Psalms of the Old Testament, prayers written by real people and from the depths of the human condition. In addition to the Liturgy of the Hours, the nuns spend another three hours in Lectio Divina, prayer with Scriptures. In this sense, the Benedictine vocation is a contemplative vocation in its fullest dimension, prayer on behalf of and in union with all people. Fasting, the prayer of the body, is also part of Benedictine life, as is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at set times daily. The nuns earn their living by making liturgical crafts, such as candles, tooled leather covers for bibles and other books, cards for all occasions, pottery and woodwork.

One of the principal charisms of Benedictine life is hospitality. At Jamberoo Abbey, there are four cottages and three hermitages for guests seeking a place of peace and prayer. Several Nuns trained for spiritual direction are available to talk with guests during their retreat at the cottages. Lectio Divina and Christian Meditation are offered two days each week and this prayer is led by one of the Nuns. There are retreat weekends for guests throughout the year, and these weekends focus on the Scriptures, and Contemplative Prayer.

Formation:

A woman who hears God’s call to the Benedictine Community of Jamberoo Abbey, is first asked to meet with the Vocation’s Director at the Abbey. Following this initial meeting, the person concerned would be invited to come in and live with the community for two to three weeks. This is called an ‘aspirancy’. During this time, she would be immersed in the full life and work of the community, and meet often with the Novice Mistress. If at the end of this period, or at the end of a second aspirancy, a woman feels called to enter the community at Jamberoo, then a meeting is arranged for her with the Abbess to whom she makes her request, and who then welcomes her to begin the next phase of initial formation. A date for entry is arranged, and on that day, the candidate is formally welcomed to begin her postulancy of twelve months. At the end of this period, she asks to receive the monastic habit, and to enter into a two-year Novitiate. Studies during this time include Scripture, Monastic Theology, the Benedictine Rule, Monastic and Church History, Monastic Spirituality, Community History and Liturgy. On the completion of the Novitiate, a Novice requests the Abbess and community to admit her to Temporary Profession and a deepening of her commitment through the Benedictine vows of Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience. After Temporary Profession, Sisters are incorporated more into Community life, while continuing studies in Monastic spirituality and the Benedictine vows, and contributing to the work departments. At the end of three years, a Sister in Temporary vows, may petition the Abbess and community to make Solemn Profession, expressing her desire to make a total commitment to Benedictine monastic life as lived at Jamberoo Abbey. Individual gifts such as arts, crafts, counselling, music, cooking, nursing, teaching prayer, directing retreats, administration and horticulture, are fostered throughout the years of initial formation and afterwards, and are geared into building up the life of the community.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Hilda Scott OSB
Vocations Director
The Abbey
695 Jamberoo Mountain Road
JAMBEROO NSW 2533

Telephone: 02 4236 0011 Fax: 02 4236 0041

Email: abbey@accsoft.com.au

Website: http://www.jamberooabbey.org.au/html/home.htm

CANOSSIAN DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY - fdcc

We are a multicultural group of women spread across five continents seeking to be the drop in the ocean that creates ripples of change. We strive to bring justice and charity to a complex and needy world. The spirit given to our Foundress, St. Magdalen of Canossa, is the proverbial mustard seed that continues to grow through the lives of those who today bear the name (Canossian) Daughters of Charity. As we draw near to the celebration of our bi-centenary, it can be said that the spirit of Magdalen challenges us to continually look for new and relevant ways of spreading the gentle spirit of the redemptive love of Jesus on the Cross in uncertain and turbulent times.

Magdalen, foundress and saint, was born to the noble Canossa family in Verona, Italy in 1774. Her father died when she was five and her mother remarried when Magdalen was aged 7. Deep suffering at this vulnerable age sensitised Magdalen to the suffering of others, especially the poor.

In 1808, after years of struggle with family responsibilities, Magdalen left the family palace for the last time, free to bring the love and hope of Jesus to the marginalised and outcast. With a specific focus on the needs of the “street kids” living in the rubble of her own war-torn city, Magdalen’s heart reached out to them, and to all who were materially or spiritually poor. Her main aim was to awaken in the poor an awareness of their dignity as sons and daughters of God. To restore their dignity and give them hope. Magdalen’s efforts, touched the lives of others, both the wealthy and poor, inspiring them to “do their bit’ and make their own contribution to alleviate poverty, and to build a more just and humane society. Magdalen saw the critical needs of her time and responded with the gift of her own life. One of the early pioneers in the promotion of the laity, Magdalen trained young women in both practical and pastoral skills to be shared and promoted in turn in their own parishes. Through outreach programs, education, faith formation and assistance to the sick, Magdalen offered the poor the skills, tools and knowledge to break free of the cycle of deprivation and despair. In the words of Pope John Paul 11 during the canonisation of Magdalen (2.10.’88): St. Magdalen of Canossa yearned to promote the dignity of every woman in social life; she dedicated herself to the religious and human formation of youth; she intelligently devised ways for a rebirth of religious assistance in families through catechesis.

Since 1949, the Institute of the Canossian Daughters of Charity is an integral part of Australian society. In reaching out to the local poverties within changing social, cultural and economic realities, we also keep in view the needs of our struggling missions: Sudan, East Timor, and Paraguay - just to name a few. “Oh, if only we could go to the ends of the world where the name of Jesus is not known. Jesus’ love for all people…gave me a great longing to make Him known and loved, even to the ends of the earth.” (Magdalen)


 

Mission and Ministry:

Magdalen’s greatest challenge to us is to do whatever we do with love. But not just any kind of love! The kind of love that Jesus himself offered to us as his last gift on the cross. This means that wherever we are and whatever we do, we are called not only to make a difference through our work, but also through our lives as we try to spread the message of the gospel.
The changing nature of our world and of our society continually provokes us to review, reshape and re-commit ourselves to be at the service of current needs in the spirit of Magdalen whose special concern was her “beloved poor.” Through a variety of ministries we are committed to the promotion of human dignity and self-esteem.

The vision of Magdalen was a just and equitable society where all could share equally in the fruits of the earth, and where all would come to see their self worth, not in what they have, but in being loved by God as son or daughter. Her desire to make Jesus known and loved prompted Magdalen to do many things, not least to give free education, particularly to teenagers, while also providing for their material needs. Magdalen’s aim was to prepare them for life as she accompanied them in their faith.

Magdalen’s vision of the five branches of “charity” as guiding principles for our choices in ministry, remain the backbone of our discernment for contemporary critical needs.

 

• Education

• Evangelisation

• Care of the sick

• The spiritual exercises

• Promotion of the laity
   

Within the framework of these fields, we are open to contemporary and cultural expressions of poverty where the need is greater.

Formation:

What is it? And when and where does it begin? Some people call it a “spiritual journey” and maybe that’s a good way to put it. It often begins with “How do I know if I am being called (to religious life)? And then how do I know where I am being called?” These kinds of questions are often the beginning of personal accompaniment offered by some of our Sisters which aims at helping enquirers to explore and/or deepen your direction in life. The time span is paced by individual needs with no pressure to make decisions at any point in time.
If someone asks “What’s next”, they would be invited to spend some time with one of our communities, obligation free, to have a closer look at Religious life as it is lived by the Canossian Daughters of Charity. During this period life goes on as normal for any enquirer, and personal accompaniment continues. The span of this “Come-and-see” period varies from person to person, lasting up to six months.

A decision to start a more serious journey in the spirit of Magdalen, would mean that it is no longer an observation period but an initial commitment to try the lifestyle in small steps. During this phase the candidate continues normal activities while becoming more involved in community life. This phase can last from six months to two years, according to the needs of the individual.

The final phase, novitiate, is a two-year period with specific structures designed to help you to become more familiar with, and immersed in a deeper personal spiritual journey. The program aims to provide opportunities for the integration of human and spiritual reflection and experience as one commits herself more fully to the Canossian way of life.

The taking of First Vows at the end of the novitiate period is the beginning of Religious life as a Canossian Daughter of Charity. During this period, although living as a fully committed member of the Institute, the newly professed Sister would still be provided with regular opportunities for personal accompaniment and support.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Vocations Co-ordinator
Sr Thao Nguyen FDCC 
Canossian Daughters of Charity
143, Gregory Terrace
SPRING HILL QLD 4000
Mobile:  0416 433 119
E-mail: thaofdcc9@hotmail.com

THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF CLUNY - sjc

Blessed Anne-Marie Javouhey founded the Congregation of St Joseph of Cluny on the 12th May 1807.Anne-Marie was born South-East of France, into a farming family of ten children, six of whom survived to adulthood, she was the fifth child, affectionate and mischievous, and was recognised as a leader at an early age. She was ten at the outbreak of the French Revolution when public worship was banned. As a teenager Anne was involved in protecting faithful clergy, and began secretly teaching neighbourhood children and preparing them for First Communion and Confirmation.

At midnight on her nineteenth birthday, 11th November 1798, during a mass offered in secret at the family farm, Anne consecrated herself to God and promised to dedicate her life in service to Christian education; care of the sick and the needy. The only witnesses: her family. The place: Chamblanc, a village as anonymous as Nazareth. Anne-Marie began her work with the many orphans left behind by the French Revolution. Her three sisters joined her, as did many other young women and on the 27th January, 1807 the fledgling Institute received Government approval. First vows were made on the 12th May, 1807 before Pope Pius V11, at Chalon, in France.
By 1819, Anne-Marie and her Sisters were already known in Paris for their educational achievements and were invited to Senegal…there began the Missionary Extension which became fundamental to St. Joseph of Cluny. Anne-Marie has been noted as the one who revived Catholic Missions in Africa.

Mission and Ministry:

In Australia, our mission includes Aboriginal ministry, pastoral work, parish activities, people with special needs, spiritual accompaniment and teaching. In Papua-New Guinea our mission focus is basic evangelisation, family life ministry, village patrols, “grass roots” education, correspondence school, and a remote high school. Most Australia sisters get the opportunity to serve in cross cultural situations, for example in Papua – New Guinea, Africa, Fiji, and with Indigenous Australians.

Our dream is to extend the reign of God to the ends of the earth through humble, loving and joyful service. Anne Marie calls us to be contemplatives in action. We follow her in the way of liberation and the empowerment of the poor of our times through commitment to justice and respect for the dignity of each person.

Today in Australia and Papua – New Guinea, women from Australia, Ireland, Fiji, Laos, India and New Zealand continue the missionary tradition. Any women (20s to 40s) who feel drawn to join us, can find out more about us by contacting us on one of the addresses below.  Currently, a number of young women from various countries and background have joined in the Pacific novitiate in Fiji.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny
East Brunswick VIC
Phone: 03 9386 0494
Fax: 039386 0335
Email:clunyaus@iprimus.com.au

Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny
Kew VIC
Phone: 03 9816 9278
Fax : 03 9817 6279
Email:mgaylor@optusnet.com.au

Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny
Santa Teresa NT
Phone: 08 8956 0932
Fax: 08 8956 0932
Email<clunyasp@dodo.com.au

DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART olsh

A vibrant and energetic man, Jules Chevalier was born in France in 1824. In his early years of priesthood, he felt saddened by the apathetic attitude people had towards God. He longed to re-kindle love in the hearts of those around him and draw them into a fresh awareness and conviction of God’s passionate love. This longing captivated his heart and he began to dream dreams....

Jules Chevalier was drawn to the love of Jesus’ heart and he promoted a spirituality of the heart. He dreamed of gathering together a Religious family -women and men who would take the Good News of God’s love to one and all. No limits! In 1854 he realized his dream when he founded a Society of Priests and Brothers whom he called Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). Twenty years later, he founded a Congregation of Sisters, calling them Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. His motto, "May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved" summarizes the charism and mission his family share. The OLSH Sisters arrived in Australia in 1885.

Mission and Ministry:

As Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, we share in Christ's redemptive mission, bringing others the love God has first shared with us. The selfless dedication of our founder and pioneer sisters fires us to continue to respond to the challenges of our times in many areas, including, but not limited to, the following:
 

Our community life centres around the Eucharist. As apostolic religious women who are called to live in union with Mary, the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus, we strive to integrate the contemplative and apostolic elements in all aspects of our religious life.

• Spirituality

• Pastoral Care

• Education, Catechetics, Adult Faith Education

• Health and Aged Care

• Overseas Missions

• Parish Ministry and Pastoral Care

• Retreats and Spiritual Direction

• Youth and Young Adult ministry

• Vocation Ministry

• Promotion of Social Justice

• Living and working with Refugees, Multi-Cultural and Indigenous Peoples.

Formation:

Formation for life as a Daughter of OLSH is concerned with the whole person. Prior to admission, we offer a process of accompaniment to those seeking to discern their vocation. For an information sheet about this process, or for a vocation brochure, contact Sr Elizabeth Taylor (details below)
 

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If you would like more information about the Daughters of OLSH, please contact:

Sr Elizabeth Taylor
OLSH Convent
113 Jasper Road
Bentleigh VIC 3204

Telephone: 03 9557 1130
Facsimile: 03 9557 5098
Email:elizolsh@hotmail.com

DAUGHTERS OF ST PAUL - fsp

Our founder, Fr James Alberione, lived in Italy at the turn of the century. It was a time of great confusion in society; there were many voices trying to claim authority both within the Church and outside of it. In many ways he lived in a time much like our own.

He believed that the one voice people should listen to was that of Jesus their Master and Shepherd. In the gospels Jesus says, “I am the way, I am truth and life”; as Daughters of St Paul, we strive each day to make Jesus the centre of our lives, our Way, our Truth and our Life, and to proclaim Jesus to people everywhere.

Mission and Ministry:

The Daughters of St Paul are women who feel impelled to share the message of the Gospel and its values with the people of today’s society through the media.

We believe that people can meet and come to know God through their use of the media, and that God wants to speak to people’s hearts through the means of communication available to them each day.

Therefore, we publish and distribute books, music cassettes, CDs, videos, magazines and periodicals, posters and computer software, all which carry a Christian message. We maintain book shops and, in some countries, produce radio and TV programs, and maintain websites.

We come from all over the world, and we put ourselves at the service of people all over the world. Through our attentiveness to national and international news and events, we deepen our understanding of the needs of society, and bring these to God in our prayer.

Our strength comes from the Word of God and from the Eucharist. Each day we take time in meditation on God’s Word, we share in the Eucharist and we find time for personal prayer before the Eucharist.

These precious times of daily prayer and the many varied encounters with people in our ministry enrich us and deepen our understanding of God’s presence in our lives.

We have a very positive outlook on the future. Our ministry with the communications media continually invites us to welcome the challenge of speaking about God in new ways to the people of each new generation.

An exciting new initiative has recently been launched by the Daughters of St Paul. "Terra Spiritus" is a new Australian Catholic online magazine that offers a unique resource on Christian spirituality through the convenience of the Internet. It has been launched as ‘an invitation to listen, connect and engage with the sacred, an invitation to embrace and nurture an ongoing relationship with God’. The web site offers a wide range of articles on Christian spirituality, reflections on prayer and relationships, meditations on Scripture and multimedia features which are accessible by subscription from any computer with an Internet connection. A beautifully presented online chapel also provides an accessible space for prayer in the home or office. Christians can now tap into the immediacy of the Internet as nourishment for their experience of and conversation with God. Visit Terra Spiritus today atwww.terraspiritus.com.au.

Formation:

A Daughter of St Paul makes a life-long commitment to personal growth in every aspect of her being.

This important aspect of the Pauline Vocation calls us to consciously welcome the challenge to grow in the human and spiritual dimension of ourselves throughout our lives. It also calls us to stay up-to-date in all aspects of our professional training for ministry. This constant attention to the growth of the whole person in Christ enables us to live as happy and mature religious women. It helps us to keep in touch with developments in society and the world, an essential for Pauline life, and allows us to constantly develop our ministry so that we can more effectively proclaim Christ to humanity.
The Postulancy, which generally lasts for two years, is a particular time of discernment and transition which allows the candidate to experience community life and ministry among the Daughters of St Paul. During this time a candidate would begin to experience what it means to offer her life to Christ and fully commit herself as a Daughter of St Paul.

The Novitiate is a two-year program of real initiation into the Pauline religious life. It is an intense time of prayer, study, the mission and community life, in which the novice embraces the Pauline charism, and prepares for consecration to the Lord in the profession of her first vows.

At the time of professing her first vows the candidate makes a commitment to live in vows for a period of one year. These vows are renewed at the end of each one-year period, for 5-7 years, a time known as Temporary Commitment. The sister in Temporary Commitment continues her Pauline and academic formation, engages more fully in the mission and deepens her understanding of all the aspects of Pauline life - consecration, spirituality and community.

For further information about our Order please visit our website:www.pauline.com.au

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Joanna Coleiro, FSP
Strathfield NSW Australia 2135

Phone: (02) 9746 7170(h)
(02) 9746 2717
Fax: (02) 9764 4944
Email:joanna@pauline.com.au

Daughters of St Paul
Norwood SA 5067
Phone: (08) 8431 6474
Email:fspadel@pauline.com.au

The Carmelite Sisters, Ormiston Queensland - ocd

The Carmelite Order began in the 12th century when a group of men settled as hermits on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. At their request, the Carmelite Rule - deeply scriptural and centred on Christ- was written. Later they spread throughout Europe, adopting a community style of life, and eventually a women's branch of the Order was formed.

In the 1560s, a Spanish Carmelite, St. Teresa of Avila was called by God to restore the original ideal of prayer and contemplation in a life of poverty and simplicity, first to the women's branch, and later, with the help of St. John of the Cross, to the men. By the turn of the century, the restoration was recognized as a new family within Carmel and a new Order in the Church. Inspired always by Mary and the life and teachings of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, it is now a world-wide family, known as the Discalced Carmelites. (Discalced means "barefoot", a term synonymous with reform).

In 1885, some French Carmelite sisters, inspired by God to take the Order to distant Australia, left their homeland, and after overcoming great difficulties, established themselves in Sydney. They grew in numbers, and in 1927, were invited to send some sisters to Brisbane, where they eventually settled in the bayside suburb of Ormiston.

Mission and Ministry:

A Carmelite is called by the Spirit to seek the living God within and live in his presence. Being drawn to constant communion with the Trinity, her prayer does not terminate in self, but reaches out to the needs of the Church and of the whole world. This goal is nourished by an hour of quiet prayer, each morning and evening, when her friendship with Jesus can become ever more intimate and fruitful. In her community, the life of prayer at the heart of the Church is also expressed by coming together daily to celebrate the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. Thus in Carmel, Jesus is seen continuing his intimate prayer to his Father and his total dedication to the coming of God's reign.

We support each other's striving for love of Christ and neighbour in small communities. Because our life is spent within the precincts of the house and grounds, at Ormiston, these are spacious, allowing for varied outdoor activities. The daily timetable balances times alone and times together; times of prayer and times of work (both remunerative and self-supporting). Though each community is autonomous, sisterly links with other Carmels in Australia, and world-wide are fostered.

Formation:

A person feeling called to join our community is invited to interact with us for a considerable time through personal visits, correspondence and later, by spending a month or two with us to experience our daily life.

If accepted, she is warmly welcomed, and given six to eighteen months to adjust to the Carmelite lifestyle, and be gradually integrated into it.

If discernment is favourable on both sides, she begins a journey of exploring in depth the surpassing wisdom of knowing Christ Jesus, and the liberating experience of encountering Christ on the cross. Doctrinal and spiritual instruction and guidance accompany the novice on this two year walk, which may terminate in the decision to identify in the Carmelite way, with the chaste, poor and obedient Christ. A temporary commitment is then made by taking the three vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and these are received by the Church.

For the next three to six years, she learns from the Order's two great masters, St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, how to deepen in faith, hope and love her intimate relationship with Christ, at the same time, bringing her human growth to its fullness.

Then, six or so years of formation may culminate in a life-long commitment.

An holistic formation continues for the rest of her life, however, because God has created us 'through Christ and for Him to reach our full growth in God'. (Col. 1:16; 2.19)

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Cecilia OCD
Carmelite Monastery
287 Wellington Street
Ormiston QLD 4160

Telephone: 07 3286 1401
Facsimile: 07 3821 4563
Email:carmston@powerup.com.au

The Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands 

Ours is a story of Adventure and Risk taking in the spirit of Dominic Guzman and Catherine of Siena.

In 1867, eight young women, mostly in their twenties, left their homeland in Ireland. They had volunteered to journey to the other side of the world for the sake of the Gospel.From our original foundation in Maitland New South Wales we have ventured up and down Eastern Australia and north to the Solomon Islands.

Mission and Ministry:

In our Study, Prayer and Ministry we seek to shape a world based on the values of justice, truth and compassion.

As Dominican women we take the opportunity to respond to the Gospel in diverse ways through:

• Adult Faith and Liturgical formation· Rural and City Parish
   
• Leadership· Hospital and University Chaplaincy
   
• Spiritual Direction
   
• Pastoral Care
   
• Counselling and Welfare work
   
• Prison Chaplaincy
   
• Support and Education of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
   
• Research and Administration
   
• Care of the sick and Dying
   
• Education in schools, colleges and universities.
   
• Interfaith Dialogue
   
• NILS

Formation:

Our initial formation process is not about producing a standard product: a 'Dominican'. It is about accompaniment of a
woman as she freely responds to the threefold call:

 

• From the Risen Lord who invites her to follow him

• From the sisters who welcome her

• To the demands of Mission.

The process is a flexible one, lasting about three years. It is designed to meet the needs and gifts of a unique individualwho wishes to share with us our Dominican Charism.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Dominican Sisters
PO Box 353
Strathfield NSW 2135
Phone: 02 9744 9511
Fax: 02 9744 5020
Email: jshirvington@opeast.org.au

Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia

The Order of Preachers was founded by in the 13^thcentury by the Spanish priest Dominic de Guzman. Responding to Christ’s call, Dominic’s desire was to engage in the Church’s mission of preaching the Gospel and forming minds and hearts in knowledge of the truth. The Order grew quickly, soon extending its service throughout the world, wherever there was need for the truth to be taught with charity and zeal. Dominican friars and sisters were eventually sent to the United States of America, where, in the early 19^thcentury, they began to assist to assist the Church in serving the small but growing number of Catholics in that new country. In 1860, four Dominican sisters came to Nashville, Tennessee from Somerset, Ohio at the invitation of Bishop James Whelan, O.P. to begin an academy for the education of young women. The sisters named their foundation for St. Cecilia, the early Roman martyr and patroness of music. Throughout its 150 year history, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia have sought to give themselves to Christ and his Church through fidelity to the Dominican life and the active mission of teaching in Catholic schools.

Today the community numbers over 230 sisters, with a median age of 36. The novitiate, which includes the first four years of formation, averages a total of 50 young women each year.

Charism:        

The charism of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation is rooted in the ideal which St. Dominic himself saw as the purpose of the Order of Preachers: “To contemplate and to give to others the fruits of our contemplation.”   From this vision flows a way of life based in a contemplative framework which supports and deepens the community’s active works of service to the Church. The charism of the Congregation is characterized by the following elements: a contemplative focus, an active apostolate, a strong community life, and a deep love of the Church.

Mission and Ministry:

Throughout the Congregation’s one hundred and fifty year history, its primary mission has been that of Catholic education. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are currently present in 19 dioceses in the United States as well as in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia. They are engaged in teaching in 35 schools, including 25 elementary schools, eight secondary schools (colleges) and two universities. The privilege of serving in the Archdiocese of Sydney was offered to the community in 2008, making Australia its first mission outside of the United States.

Formation:

In order for a candidate to discern more clearly and to mature in her vocation as a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia, a young woman who enters the congregation completes seven years of initialreligious formation.

Inquiry

The young woman makes initial contact with the community, either in person or by phone, letter, or e-mail. In order to learn more about the life, she is asked to visit the community, either individually or by attending one of the retreats offered periodically for young women. She speaks with the local Vocation Director during her discernment process.

Pre-Postulancy

Once accepted for entrance, the pre-postulant continues in regular contact with the Vocation Director, making use of the time before entrance for spiritual and material preparations.

Postulancy

The Congregation accepts candidates from Australia with a view to their eventually returning to serve the Church in their own country. The young woman will spend the initial four years of her novitiate formation at St. Cecilia Motherhouse in Nashville, Tennessee. During her first year she begins the community’s regular program for postulants. With the other sisters in her class, she receives regular instruction from the sister who directs the postulants, becomes acquainted with Dominican spirituality and history, and is introduced to the charism of the Congregation. Her specific studies at the Motherhouse include Sacred Scripture, the spiritual life, basic Catholic doctrine, and Church history. She likewise pursues selected courses at the university level that further prepare her for the active Dominican apostolate. 

Canonical Novitiate 

At the end of the postulant year, the sister receives the Dominican habit with a white veil, as well as a new religious name. She enters into the formal year of novitiate required by the Church’s canon law. During this year, the sister is provided a deeper spiritual, theological, philosophical, and ascetical formation. As a means to growing in her personal spiritual life and in receptivity to God’s call, the novice has additional time each day for silence and prayer, study and instruction. She receives continued personal guidance from the Director of Novices, helping her to acquire depth in her self-knowledge and genuine discernment of God’s will. The novice’s studies include Scripture, Spiritual Theology, Patristics, and the theology of the vows. At the end of her canonical year, the novice makes profession of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for three years.

Years of Initial Profession

At first profession the sister receives the black veil, symbolic of, penance and consecration to God. Her first two years under vows are spent within the novitiate community under the continued guidance of the Director of Novices. Here she receives additional formation in the actual living of the vows, as well as further instruction in the ecclesial dimension of religious life as well as in the theology of consecration and mission.With the other sisters in the novitiate community, she pursues a four-year cycle of classes in theology and philosophy, emphasizing the works of St. Thomas Aquinas. At the end of her first three years in vows, she renews her vows for two additional years.

Perpetual Profession and Ongoing Formation

On completing these first five years under vows, the sister makes profession for all her life. Following perpetual profession, she participates in a formal program of ongoing formation which supports her growth in the mature and faithful living of the vows. Through the sister’s daily gift of herself in the Dominican life and mission, she continually seeks to grow in fidelity, spending herself for Christ and the Church.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Dominican Sisters of St Celilia

St Joseph's Convent

39 Regent Street

REGENTS PARK NSW 2143

Email:sydney@op-tn.org

Faithful Companions of Jesus  fcj

We are an international Congregation of women whose lives are interwoven with the people of today. Our Society, Faithful Companions of Jesus, was founded in Amiens in France in 1820 by Marie Madeleine de Bonnault D’Houet. As a young widow with a son, Marie Madeleine felt called by God to form a society of apostolic women who would take their inspiration from Mary and the Holy Women of the Gospel. The words that Jesus spoke from the cross, ‘I am thirsty’, had profoundly influenced Marie Madeleine : she understood them to express Jesus’ great desire to bring God’s love to all people.

From France, other foundations were made. The Society spread to England, then to Italy, Switzerland and Ireland. In all, during her lifetime twenty-seven Convents were established by the Marie Madeleine herself.

In 1882 twelve sisters set sail for Australia. They began work in education in Victoria at Richmond, Kew, Benalla and later in Frankston, Langwarrin, South Melbourne and Fairfield where we were involved in Parish Ministry as well. In 1987 FCJ House was opened in Broom and in 1999 a community was formed in Adelaide, South Australia.

New expressions of ministries have involved the sisters in many other areas – Australian sisters are to be found working around the world alongside women from other countries.

Mission and Ministry:

According to places and circumstances we engage in whatever works are more conducive to the service and glory of God and the good of God’s people. Certain apostolates were confided to us by our Foundress, Marie Madeleine – the education of youth, especially the poor, the work of retreats and missions but above all we are Companions of Jesus whose lives long to reveal Jesus to the world.

Current Faithful Companions of Jesus ministries:

• Pastoral care
• Education
• Health and Aged Care
• Working with refugees
• Aboriginal services
• Spiritual Direction and Retreats
• Social work and Counselling
• Secretarial and Administrative duties
• Support for those with Special Needs
• Archives
• Pastoral care
• Education
• Pastoral Care Counsellor for people living with AIDS and their "Families".

Formation:

A period of Pre-Postulancy is offered to interested persons. During this initial contact, opportunities are given for learning more about the Christian commitment. There is no particular length of time for this stage. Those seeking to find God’s way for them are given the opportunity to take the next step when they are ready.

While a candidate continues in her own ministry, opportunities are given to her to experience community life, in the next stage which is Postulancy. This period can last from six months to two years where the postulant is challenged to deepen her spiritual life and Christian Commitment.

If the person feels called to make a commitment to our Society, a period of two years novitiate follows, where she is called to deepen her love, understanding and spirit of the Society. Opportunities to experience a variety of ministries are given at this time. At the end of the two year period and a process of discernment for further commitment, the person is admitted to temporary vows for six years before making final commitment.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Maureen Merlo FCJ
c/- FCJ Australian Office
44a Waltham Street
RICHMOND 3121 VIC

Telephone: (03) 9429 5701
Fax: (03) 9429 5503
Email:  mmerlofcj@gmail.com

THE FAMILY CARE SISTERS - fcs (GREY SISTERS)
 

Unique to the state of Victoria, Australia, we are also the first Catholic Order to be founded from Victoria. Maude O’Connell, the Foundress named the Congregation ‘The Company of Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament’ - reflecting her great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. However, we are better known by our ‘popular’ name of Grey Sisters.

The death of her mother when Maude was only 11 years of age left a lasting impression. She came to understand the effect that family life had on society and in particular the role of the mother within the family. So it is not surprising that Maude devoted her life to caring, nurturing and supporting families.

In the midst of the Great Depression in 1930 she began the work by establishing the Foundation at Daylesford, Victoria. This was quickly followed by a Mothercraft training Centre, a Welfare Centre and a Rest Home; as well as a home service ministry.

The Family Care Sisters have also worked in the High Rise flats at a time when no other Religious was working in this area. In 1987, having only 9 members, a new foundation was erected in the country area of Bendigo.

Mission and Ministry:

“We find inspiration for our specific ministry in the Visitation of May to Elizabeth and we draw strength from the Eucharist.” [Extract from Mission Statement]

Conscious of the smallness of our Congregation but also of the enormous need for continuing this Ministry to families, we have invited other Religious Orders to work with us. The Laity have also been invited and involved as Family Care Ministry Associates.

Today, we are involved in the following aspects of family ministry:

• Respite for Women (Croydon) Phone: 03 9723 6797
  A tranquil and serene place where women can rest and relax. The programme includes rest, relaxation therapy, group work, and there is an opportunity to discuss problems, with a view to establishing strategies.

• "Ain Karim" (Bendigo) - Phone: 03 5441 1814
  An ecumenical group "DayBreak" provides retreats, seminars and spiritual direction.

• O'Connell Family Centre (An Early Parenting Centre, managed by Mercy Health and Aged Care) Phone: 03 8416 7600
  Provides education, support and practical assistance for parents of young children who may be experiencing problems, e.g. post natal depression, feeding and sleeping problems, etc.

• Holiday flats (Rye)
  Two 3-bedroom flats, fully furnished. Need to provide linen. Close to beach, shops and church. Available to families.
  Bookings: Mrs Carmel O'Shannessy, Phone: 03 9809 2836 (Monday - Friday, 7.00p.m. to 9.00p.m.)
  Cost: donation (most pay $20-$25 per family per day)

• Spiritual Direction/Accompaniment

Formation:

Laity: The opportunity to live and work with the Sisters is provided through our Family Care Associate program. This involves a commitment of one year which can be renewed. Associates attend an orientation program at the beginning of their commitment, and will also be ‘accompanied’ throughout the period of commitment.

Religious: An “Accompaniment’ program is offered for those who are exploring the possibility of a call to Religious Life. This program is designed to help enrich their spiritual life and to enable them to discern if they have a call to Religious Life.

When the person has a desire for a deeper commitment and are accepted, they are admitted to a formal formation period. This will include candidacy, novitiate and profession - this process takes 6 - 9 years approx. and during this time the person will reside with the Family Care Sisters, attend lectures in theology, religious life issues, formation in the spirituality and Charism of the Family Care Sisters. She will be involved in the Ministries of the Sisters.

For both the Family Care Associate Program and for those interested in religious life, the individual is encouraged to visit us and spend time sharing our community life and to participate in our various ministries.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For further information on the Family Care Associates or about our way of life, contact:

Family Care Sisters
1/35 Parlington Street
Canterbury VIC 3126

Phone/Fax: 03 9882 6868
Email:familycaresrs@bigpond.com

FEDERATION OF THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH  - rsj/ssj

In the 1860s in the out-of-the-way small settlement of Penola, South Australia, Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods grappled with the problem of how to provide education for the children of the bush. Their solution was simple yet innovative and effective. They co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph, to suit the Australian rural conditions of small pockets of population in a vast land. These Sisters whose members came mainly from the ordinary ranks of society were willing to go anywhere and to live close to the people of pioneering communities, sharing with them the physical hardships, isolation, loneliness and infrequent opportunities for Mass and the Sacraments.

Many young women joined the Josephites and in 1872 Bishop Quinn invited the Sisters to the Bathurst Diocese. Soon after their arrival at the “The Vale” (now Perthville) they opened other small schools on the goldfields to the west and south of Bathurst. Differences between the Bishop and Mary MacKillop over the mode of government of the Sisters led to the formation of a separate group. This group became known as the Diocesan Sisters of St Joseph, later called the “black” Josephites. The original group, under Mary MacKillop, was known as the “brown” Josephites - names corresponding to the colours of the habit.
Between 1880 and 1887, Communities of Sisters were sent from Perthville to Whanganui, (NZ), Goulburn and Lochinvar, (NSW) and Westbury, (Tas). In 1967, in response to the Second Vatican Council, these five Congregations, while retaining autonomy as independent groups, formed the Australian-New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph. Present day Sisters are still inspired by the pioneering spirit of Julian Woods and Mary MacKillop as they live in close association with the people they serve. Their call is to live in community in a spirit of prayer, simplicity and hospitality while serving the most needy, educating for justice and struggling against injustice wherever they encounter it.

JOSEPHITE COMMUNITY AID  jca
 

Josephite Community Aid is a group of young adults in Sydney who are committed to helping those in need. Formed in 1986 by lay people, and supported by the Josephite Sisters, they offer friendship and support to two main groups - people who are refugees living in Sydney's west, and people suffering with mental illness living in boarding houses. They're looking for passionate and self-starting people aged 18-35 who will make a unique commitment as full-time volunteers to work for 6-12 months.

Contact:Adrian Thompson
Email: adrian@jcaid.com
Phone: 02 9799 6990
Website:http://www.jcaid.com

Mission and Ministry:

Faced with the myriad needs in a global society, the Sisters find that their challenge to-day is, as it always has been, to respond to the needs of the deprived and disadvantaged with practicality and creativity. They work in diverse ministries with a commitment to Josephite values and spirit, but also reflecting the talents and strengths of the individual Sister. Areas of Ministry include:

• Spirituality - Spiritual Direction, Adult Faith Formation, Retreat Centres, Prayer Support, Chaplaincy (in hospitals, prisons, aged care facilities).

• Education - catholic schools, catechetics in state schools, university lecturing, music teaching, adult education, administration, family programmes, girls’ boarding college, refugee tutoring, lecturing for homeless.

• Pastoral/Social Work - counselling, facilitation, supervision, family support, palliative care, rural outreach, aged care, court support, grief counselling and visitation (of sick, elderly, shut-ins).

• Church - administration, liturgy, pastoral planning, sacramental programmes, marriage tribunal, catholic missions office and support.

• Justice - social action office, support and advocacy for aboriginal communities, migrants and refugees, ecological education and projects.

• Other - hospitality, leadership, administration, research, finance, history, archives, library, music, art and craft.

Community living forms the bonds among these women living alone or in small groups. In recent years both groups of Josephite Sisters have recognized their common origins and are taking steps to join together in ministry where possible.

Formation:

A woman seeking to explore the Josephite way of life:

Initially spends periods of time in community as a ‘candidate’ becoming familiar with vowed life and mission while continuing her usual employment if possible.

The period of ‘enquiry’ is followed by a two-year novitiate. This phase provides intensive theological education, a time to grow into the spirituality and mission of Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop, and to become familiar with the spirit and traditions of the Congregation while developing and strengthening community living skills. At the end of this time, if the ‘novice’, and those accompanying her discern that it is appropriate, she will make her first profession of vows.

This period of formation during ‘temporary profession’ (up to nine years), enables a sister to deepen her commitment to the community life of the Congregation, participate in a congregational ministry that is suited to her talents and training and to make a free, prayerful and informed decision as to whether she is able to make her final profession as a Sister of St Joseph.

Josephite religious formation is a lifelong process. Adequate time and resources are provided for the continuing spiritual, personal and professional development of each sister.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Goulburn NSW:
Sr Colleen Howe
Email:col.howe@bigpond.com

Lochinvar NSW:



Perthville NSW:
Sr Therese Patterson RSJ
Ph/fax: 02 6355 5236
Email:tprsj@bigpond.com

Tasmania:
Sr Joan Cowmeadow
Email:jcowmeadowssj@bigpond

New Zealand
Sr Liz Hickey
Email:lizhickey@inspire.net.nz

THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF MARY fmm

The Foundress of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Helene de Chappotin (Mary of the Passion) was born in France in 1839. In her twenties, Helene entered religious life and in 1865 was sent to South India where life proved very different and difficult.

In 1876, she went to Rome to get permission to found the Missionaries of Mary, a specifically women's missionary order. In 1877 her constitutions for the new group were approved and in 1882, the small Institute joined the Franciscan family and became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Helene’s vision was of taking God's love across international/cultural boundaries. Her experience confirmed for her the need for both contemplation and action (prayer and work); her deep devotion to the Eucharist provided the energy for her spirituality; and the poverty and simplicity of St Francis of Assisi inspired her lifestyle. These formed the essential elements of her charism.

Helene de Chappotin was beatified by the Church in 2000.

The Institute started in Australia in 1941, when three FMM sisters came from China to work at the Queensland Diocesan Seminary at Banyo. More followed from India, USA, Canada, England and Ireland. They set up a variety of ministries in Palm and Fantome Islands, Sydney and Melbourne.

In 1944 they opened a novitiate in Brisbane for receiving Australian women and by 1948 these women were working in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Mission and Ministry:

VISION STATEMENT

We Franciscan Missionaries of Mary as contemplative women

commit ourselves to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation

and to affirming the dignity of all peoples.

In Australia, our ministries are diverse expressions this commitment

• being in solidarity with marginalised people;
   
• working primarily for the transformation of unjust structures;
   
• announcing life and denouncing all that threatens it;
   
• walking paths of peace and reconciliation

Regardless of age, whether we work in ministry full time, part time, in voluntary or paid work, are retired or sick, we recognise ourselves and are recognised in the spirit of our Vision Statement.


We seek:

• To view the world and its realities from a feminine perspective;

• To enable women to be aware of their dignity and nurture their self-confidence and self-esteem;

•  In a divided world, to live as sisters in international communities;

• In a consumer society, to witness to simplicity of life;

• To deal with the effects of globalisation on the poor, the marginalised and on the environment;

• To always share the love of God

Formation:

Preparation for Membership

First Contact: A mutual “getting to know you” period with prayer and accompaniment while keeping up job/studies and independent lifestyle followed by a mutual dialogue when the woman can ask to move forward. It is then the prerogative of the Institute to formally accept her into Pre-novitiate.

Pre Novitiate: This begins preparation for life as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary – usually living with the sisters for about a year. The woman is accompanied with guided prayer and community support and discovers her personal call from Christ. She gradually discovers the FMM vocation and can then decide whether to enter religious life or choose to follow a different path.


The Novitiate: The novitiate lasts at least two years, is the beginning of religious life; and the intensive time of spiritual formation. It strives to ensure that the novice receives formation in accordance with the FMM Constitutions and provides on-going opportunity for discernment of her vocation. At the end of this time, the novice applies to makes vow of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years.

Temporary Vows: The religious in temporary vows deepens her prayer life, experiences community living, continues theological/professional formation and engages in apostolic ministry.

Final Profession: After seeking to make final profession each sister has a period of reflection and prayer lasting from three to six months depending on her needs. At final profession, the sister receives her first mission “sending” from the Superior General, assigning her to mission in any country of the world where there is an FMM presence.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary,

Welcoming Team, (They will put you in contact with a sister in the State nearest to you.)

PO Box 173 SUMMER HILL NSW 2130
provsec@fmm.org.au

Ph 02 9797 1048
Fax 02 9797 1084

THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF THE DIVINE MOTHERHOOD - fmdm

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood is a modern congregation immersed in the tradition of St Francis of Assisi.

Our story as a congregation has been very much a journey in faith, from our conception as a group of lay Franciscan women caring for the poor and orphaned in the London of the 1890’s to our birth as Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood in 1947.

We do not claim any one individual as our founder but rather see that many women of great faith and compassion have shaped and fashioned our story.

When Francis of Assisi discovered Christ over 800 years ago, it was the beginning of one of the greatest love stories of all time. The vision of Francis continues in the lives of our sisters today.

Mission and Ministry:

As Franciscans, we believe we are called to continue Francis’ dream of men and women working together to spread the Gospel as members of the Franciscan family.

That dream led us to Australia in 1959, where we worked in nursing, education and administration. Today our ministries are as diverse as the gifts of our sisters.

Prayer and community are an integral part of our lives. From community we find support for our life of faith and are challenged to reach out in service to others. We aspire to respond to the changing needs of our World and Church by using our gifts in simple, joyful service of others.

"As the Father sent me, so am I sending you". (Jn 20:21)

We are an international congregation and serve in 13 countries both in the developed and developing world. Our sisters throughout the world strive to live out their call to serve in a great variety of ministries including:

• Pastoral Care
• Prison Ministry
• Education
• Administration
• Caring for the elderly and disabled
• Hospice care
• Nursing/Health Care
• Counselling
• Primary health care in bush ministries
• Women’s education in refugee camps
• Caring for those afflicted with AIDS.

Our Franciscan charism challenges us to incarnate Franciscan values of being joy-filled, hospitable and willing to receive and learn from the lives and experiences of the people we serve.

Formation:

As St Paul tells us "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving but the same Lord is served."
(1 Cor 12:4-6).

This scripture quote is what FMDM formation is all about; helping young women discover their gifts and God’s plan for them in their lives.

When a young woman comes into contact with our order she is accompanied for a time before she becomes a candidate. At this stage she lives in community with the sisters who help her to come to know more fully the Gospel values and the FMDM way of life.

Once a person decides to continue her journey within the FMDM way of life she then enters the novitiate. This is a time for theological, scriptural and Franciscan studies. Time is set apart to encourage the novice to develop further her relationship with Jesus.

After novitiate there is first profession and after a number of years of living the life, final commitment.

Formation of a person is a continuous journey, it is not static but a call to a deepening of commitment and relationship between the person and Jesus Christ, through the support of a prayerful, loving and joy-filled community.

The principal purpose of formation at its various stages, initial and ongoing, is to immerse the young woman in the experience of God and to help her live this relationship fully within the Franciscan family.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If you would like more information about the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood please contact:

Sr Monica Weedon FMDM
Vocations Director
6 Pilain Crescent
KEILOR DOWNS VIC 3038

Telephone: 03 9367 2655
Fax: 03 9366 6530
Emailmonicafmdm@hotmail.com.

Websites ofSingapore:www.fmdmsgmy.org/main.html

We are a contemplative-active Religious Institute of Pontifical Rite founded in 1985 by Father Stefano Maria Manelli and Father Gabriele Maria Pelletieri. We are the first female religious Institute in the History of the Church to observe the First Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi. What distinguishes our Institute from others is the 'Marian Vow of Unlimited Consecration to the Immaculate' that animates and permeates the three classic vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. This gives a Marian 'flavor' to our entire life. We live, work, suffer, are consumed and long to die for the Immaculate.

The Institute was Pontifically approved by Blessed Pope John Paul II on November 9, 1998, Feast of the Lateran Basilica. We currently have approximately 400 members in 50 communities spread throughout the world in Argentina, Australia, BeninRepublic, Brazil, England, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, and the United States of America. Our Mother House is located in Frigento, Italyand here in Australia, we have two communities in Perth-Midland and Marangaroo.

Mission and Mission:

"A community life of prayer, poverty and penance in the spirit of the vow of total consecration to the Immaculate Virgin, so that She may transform us, like St. Francis, into Jesus Crucified, and make us Her instruments in the conquest of all souls for God."Traccia Mariana, n.1

As a result of our Marian Vow of Unlimited Consecration to the Immaculate, our apostolate focuses on giving Mary to souls, causing them to discover and know Her, making all hearts love Her, in order that She may bring all souls to Jesus. Following the spirituality of Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, we primarily do this through mass-media.

Here in Australia our apostolate includes but is not limited to:

• Praying outside an abortion clinic,

• Leading novenas of prayer in the parishes (our Lady of Perpetual Help and Divine Mercy),

• Animating Holy Mass (singing and playing the organ) in various parishes,

• Selling religious books and articles in the parishes,

• Providing spiritual assistance to the elderly at a nursing home,

• Assisting our friars with Marian Cenacles of prayer,

• Teaching Marian catechesis to groups of children,

• Animating Marian days of prayer 'A Day with Mary',   www.airmaria.com

• Producing Miraculous Medals and Rosaries to be distributed.

• Why not visit our Institute's website to see what other apostolates we have throughout the world?   www.immacolata.ws

Anything, anywhere, anytime… for the Immaculate!

Vocation Information:

Entry requirements:  high school graduate (University degree is not necessary), between the ages of 18-35 (younger and older candidates may be considered), good physical and mental health, never married and a strong desire to dedicate your life to the Immaculate Virgin.

For more information

If you are interested in finding out more about our life, contact us and discover if this is the life Our Lady has chosen for you.

In Australia (Perth)

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate
House of the Immaculate
'Stella Maris'
69a Morrison Road
MidlandWA6056

Telephone: 08 9250 8286

Email: fsimidland@perthcatholic.org.au

International Website:www.franciscansoftheimmaculate.com

Australian Website: www.ausmaria.com

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate
House of the Immaculate
“St. Joseph”
Cabrini Road
MarangarooWA6064

Telephone: 08 9247 0831

Email: fsimarangaroo@perthcatholic.org.au

International Website:www.franciscansoftheimmaculate.com

Australian Website: www.ausmaria.com

"Come with us to live, work, suffer, be consumed and die… for the Immaculate" (St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe)

THE GOOD SAMARITANS

We, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict are a group of women gathered together in 1857 by Archbishop John Bede Polding,, first Archbishop of Sydney, to respond to the social needs of the times. We follow a gospel way of life at the service of the church and our world. We take our distinctive vision and spirit from the teachings of St. Benedict and the Good Samaritan, as interpreted for us by John Bede Polding.

We believe that the yearnings of the human heart are a call to seek God. Our desire is to share with others the richness of our Benedictine tradition. We so serve God with the gifts given us that in all things God may be glorified.

Our name sufficiently indicates the scope of our charism, since we are called to imitate the charity of the good Samaritan in Luke’s Gospel story - who was moved to pity the poor wounded stranger and, having poured oil and wine into his wounds to heal him, afterwards conveyed him to a place of security.

We have over eighty communities located throughout Australia and communities in Japan, the Philippines and Kiribati.

Mission and Ministry:

• Life as a Sister of the Good Samaritan is a quest to seek God. It is about personal, spiritual and professional growth within a supportive community. It is about a proactive approach to meeting social needs.

• Guided by the Gospel, we value community, individual and communal prayer, peace, a simple lifestyle, compassion, social justice and ecological awareness.

• We see ourselves as women responding in faith to the issues and demands of a modern, changing world.

• We respond to others in a spirit of mutuality and service. Today we are active in: social work, respite and residential care, education, parish work, nursing, administration and centres of spirituality.

• We have begun to explore new ways in which women and men can pray and work with us.

Formation:

Pre-Novitiate - The person who inquires about our way of life, with a view to becoming a member, is encouraged in her seeking of God and given a clearer understanding of our charism by contact with individual sisters and experience of our community life. If, after this initial contact, she is seriously interested in pursuing this way of life, she is given a suitable preparation according to the spirit of the congregation.

Stage One - The woman inquiring about our way of life is connected with a local Good Samaritan community whom she visits for prayer, meals, reflection days and social gatherings. She also has regular contact with an accompanying sister.

Stage Two - The woman then lives with a local Good Samaritan community while undertaking a special programme of study and ministry experience under the guidance of an accompanying sister. While she is living in the community, she will be invited into a daily rhythm of prayer, lectio (slow and meditative reading of scripture), work and leisure and will participate in a ministry which is in line with her gifts and interests.

Novitiate - The woman’s life in the congregation begins with her admission to the novitiate. The length of this period must be at least twelve months and may not exceed two years. Under the guidance of the novice director she enters upon a period of intense formation in our way of life. Since 1981 there has been a renewed recognition that formation takes place at the centre of the community’s life. The housing of our novices in a local Good Samaritan Community recognises this shift from a separation model of formation to inclusion within the local community.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Veronica McCluskie SGS
Locked Bag 60
PENNANT HILLS NSW

Telephone 02 9980 7424(w)/02 9484 1438(h)
Facsimile 02 9484 0002

Emailveronica@goodsams.org.au

THE HOLY SPIRIT MISSIONARY SISTERS - SSpS 

The Holy Spirit Sisters are an international group of women numbering approximately 4000 members in 38 countries around the world. The Institute was founded by Fr Arnold Janssen in 1889 in Steyl, Holland. Father Arnold saw the need for women religious to compliment the work of the Divine Word Missionaries who had spread throughout the world following the colonial expansion of the 19th. Century. The Australian province was established after World War II at the invitation of Archbishop Duhig of Brisbane. Many of the founding sisters had been brought down to Brisbane at the end of the war, having been prisoners of war with the Japanese in Papua New Guinea.

As Holy Spirit Sisters we share the Love of God through a variety of ministries. We have a common call to mission being ever ready to go wherever we are needed. We remain open to the Spirit in ourselves and in other cultures and peoples. We live in community, sharing its supports and challenges.

Mission and Ministry:

We are international and as such our witness to multicultural living is an important part of our charism. We remain ready to go to any country where we are needed. Our ministries include: Education, Health, Pastoral care, Spiritual guidance, Adult Education, Catechetics, Chaplaincy work, Social work, Administration and Interfaith dialogue.

In Australia the sisters feel called to those on the margin, Indigenous people, Refugees and Migrants. We are engaged in Health and Aged Care.

Formation:

A person interested in exploring the possibility of a call to be a Holy Spirit Sister will be asked to have contact with an appointed sister over a period of 6 months, to help discern God’s will for her. Certain documents are required for entry. After this initial stage the candidate may be admitted to begin Formation. For about 6 months the candidate may continue her professional work while living in community. A two year more intensive spiritual preparation is then undertaken and this is followed by temporary profession of vows. These vows are renewed every year for 6-9 years. During the period of temporary vows the sister is given the opportunity to continue her studies or engage in ministry. The sister is free to leave after the expiration of her temporary vows. During this period the sister should be able to make an informed and free decision regarding her vocation and be ready to make final commitment. At final vows she is given her mission mandate.

Vocation Information:

Missionaries of the Gospel

The John Paul II Sisters were officially established on 23 June 2007 in Perth, by Archbishop Barry James Hickey. The first two members spent their first year overseas in formation (mainly in Poland). Since returning to Perth, the formation of the community has continued from their convent in Willagee.

It is hoped that in time, the community will include brothers, priests and lay people, all of whom will come under the umbrella heading of the Missionaries of the Gospel (MGs).

Mission and Ministry:

A Missionary of the Gospel (MG) is a person who has personally encountered Christ in their lives, and said yes to His call to live the Gospel to the full, to go forth to bring the Good News to all nations (Mt 28:19), according to the charism of our late Pope, John Paul II (JPII).

Responding to a call to continue the work that the Holy Spirit began in JPII, our mission is not only to help all people discover their dignity (who they are and what they are called to- ‘the truth about man’) and Christ who reveals it to them (Evangelisation), but also to provide the Formation and Community necessary for each person to overcome the obstacles within them to fulfilling their ‘supreme vocation’ and living out the Gospel.

Our ministry or apostolate, the concrete way we evangelise, provide formation and build community, is varied. Our emphasis and gift to the Church is not a type of work (such as teaching or nursing) but a ‘way of being’ (the charism of John Paul II) which we believe is a gift from the Holy Spirit in response to the particular needs of our time and culture. The community has not been very active yet, because we are still in formation ourselves.  

Formation:

Our own formation is critical to carrying out our mission. To aid this process we study the Scriptures and teachings of the Church (especially those of John Paul II). One of our greatest lessons is ‘community life’ where we learn to love. These lessons take place for each sister throughout her life.

 The initial formation before permanent vows takes 8 years. It begins with a year of postulancy and two years of novitiate before the member makes temporary vows (and receives a new name and the full habit). Her vows are renewed each year for 5 years, she is then perpetually professed. 

During the initial 3 years, the member attends classes inside and outside of the convent, and she is able to spend more time in prayer and reflection with the Lord (the schedule for this time is on our website).

Because of John Paul II’s integral vision of man, it is important that our formation both touches on every aspect of the person and is appropriate for the needs of each person.  

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For further information contact:   

Sr. Bernadette Pike mg
PO Box 8171
Perth Business Centre
WA       6849

Email:          info@mg.org.au

Web:             www.mg.org.au

Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - lihn

The Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or simply LIHM, is a female religious institute of consecrated life, the first of the Two Hearts institutes founded by Fr. Edgardo “Bing” M. Arellano.

From its origins in the Philippines in 1985, the mission has expanded, now with more than 130 professed members and with mission centres in the US and in Australia.

As Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary the members live a “life hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) through a Eucharistic-centred and Marian lifestyle in prayer and penance.

“No greater love a man has than to give up his life for a friend.” Jn15:13

The spirit/charism of the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is determined by the lifestyle required in entering the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the Communion of Reparation.

It is agape love, the same love that inflames Jesus to offer His life unconditionally for humanity, the same love that inspired Mary to immolate her life in prayer and penance for the conversion of souls and in reparation for the sins of humanity.

Mission and Ministry:

The LIHM Sisters endeavour to contribute for the sanctification of mankind by working for the conversion of broken youth, their family and parish.

The apostolic aim of the LIHM is to enable all peoples to enter the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary though the Communion of Reparation, so that the Eucharistic reign of Jesus and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart throughout the world may come.  

We are dedicated to youth evangelization, directing them to a Eucharistic-centred and Marian lifestyle, guiding them in preserving their purity and grounding them in their sacramental life. We aim to form these young people into future saints and martyrs of the church.

We collaborate with the Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts (OATH) priests and brothers in conducting our different apostolate:

• House to House Enthronement/Evangelism
• Communion of Reparation Vigil
• Catechetical instruction
• Youth group; Mary Help of Christians Crusade
• Youth camp
• Youth Eucharistic congress
• Sport festivals
• Recollections
• Retreats
• Prayer Meetings
• Day care
• Home Education Program (AHFI DOHE)
• Offering School Programs for prep, primary, and secondary levels

Formation:

Postulancy : 6 – 12 months
Novitiate: 1 year
First Temporary Profession: 3 years
Second Temporary Profession: 3 years
Perpetual Profession

Vocation Information:

Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters
29 Barellan Close
St. Albans
VIC 3021

Phone: 02 9632 1659
email: lihmmelbourne@aol.com

THE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY - lcm

“Each and every one of us have a mission from God.” Venerable Mary Potter

In 1877 in Nottingham England, Mary Potter saw a need to care for the sick and dying. She was inspired to be like Mary who was there for her son, Jesus throughout his life, even as he died on Calvary. She founded a congregation of sisters who would carry out this work of bringing hope, courage and new life to those in need. Today the work of Mary Potter continues to grow internationally through the work of the Sisters, Affiliates, Associates, Volunteers and young adults.

Mission and Ministry:

In our world today people are dying in countless ways-physically, emotionally and spiritually. The core mission of the Little Company of Mary is to pray for the sick and dying of the world in union with the maternal heart of Mary at the foot of the cross and share in the healing ministry of Jesus on Calvary. We live out our mission through the following ministries:

• Healthcare

• Palliative Care

• Care of the aged

• Refugee ministry

• Global outreach

• Youth Work

• School clinics

• Pastoral Care

• Counselling

• Spiritual direction/accompaniment

• Retreats

• Volunteer experiences

• Youth gatherings

Formation:

The Little Company of Mary Sisters are women called from all walks of life who have freely chosen to live within community. We see prayer and a personal commitment to Jesus as an integral partof our life which is bounded by common prayer, a simple lifestyle, and avowed commitment to the vision of ourFoundress and the mission of the church.

Women interested in the life of the Little Company of Mary Sisters are offered a process which enables reflectionandintegration of their own lived experience which will help them discern whether religious life is a viable option.

The first stage of the Formation program is the Candidacy, a time in which a woman explores and deepens her basic understanding of LCM religious life. This is experiencedthroughliving in community which will introduce her to the LCM Charism and spirituality ,while remaining in her own professional milieu. This period of time can be from six months up to two years.

The second stage ofFormationis the Spiritual /Canonicalprogram. This is a period of time where the woman is assistedto come to a deeper understanding ofthe vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience as a viable way of living the mission of the Little Company of Mary.

The final stage of Formation isthe profession of vows where the Sister fully participates in the life of the Congregation. This means that there is a willingness to continue to integrate and accept the demands and joys of the vowed life within community and personal relationships.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Helen Kelly,  LCM
Vocation Director
82 Princes Street
RYDE. NSW 2112
Mobile: 0418 966 845
Work Telephone: (02) 9807 9633
Mobile: 0418 966 845
Email:vocations@lcm.org.au

THE LORETO SISTERS ibvm

History

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded by Yorkshire woman Mary Ward (1585 - 1645). Mary Ward had a vision for a different mode of religious life for women. She envisioned women living a life in companionship and discernment, inspired by the gospel and engaging with the world without the constraints of the traditional cloister, nor an established 'Rule', placing them under the governance of men. She also believed that women were equal to men in intellect and should be educated accordingly. She wanted her companions to be directly engaged with society and to be women characterised by a spirit of "freedom, justice and sincerity".

Mary and her early companions, sought to show that women could educate, explain the faith, bring sinners back to the love of God and support people in crises of faith. In her time, educating women was seen as extraordinary. She established schools for girls across Europe, travelling by foot and often living in direst poverty. She believed that “in time women will do much”.

In 1875, Mary Gonzaga Barry sailed to Australia on the 'Somersetshire' from Ireland to make the first Loreto foundation in Australia at Loreto, Mary's Mount, Ballarat. She left Ireland with only 9 companions, answering a call from the first Bishop of Ballarat, to provide education for the young ladies of the colony. After its 'roaring golden days', Ballarat was settling into a quieter and more gracious way of life. Mary Gonzaga Barry, a true pioneer woman, believed that 'our dreams often make our reality.'

Loreto today

Now, the Loreto Sisters IBVM, which has more than 4000 members, ministers in 34 countries on 6 continents. Our new missions include Bolivia, Morocco, Mongolia, Tanzania, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal.
There is an international leadership team and national groupings called provinces. Within each province, there are local communities, with a local leader. Sisters can be asked to live and work in any state within each province.
At the recent General Congregation 2006 in Peru, 64 delegates from Loreto provinces all over the world gathered for a time of reflection: to reflect on the Gospel and the values and vision of Loreto Sisters founder Mary Ward; to reflect on current works, projects, progress and challenges and to draw strength from those challenges in our journey.

The culmination of the congregation was the development of new Calls and Actions to guide the Institute globally.

The Calls are:

• Our Institute is called to a deeper place to listen to the passion of God and wrestle with the meaning of religious life today.
• Our Institute is called to a more relevant expression of “Communion” which reflects a relational God generous in gift, equality, diversity and outreach.
• Our Institute is called to sharpen its engagement with the church and world.

Mission and Ministry:

About us

We are a global network of women promoting dignity, advocating for women and children, challenging unjust systems, educating for the future and bringing the gospel to life.

Our sisters are found in many ministries. Some are directly involved in faith-related tasks: adult education, theology, parish work, chaplaincies in prisons and hospitals. Recently further emphasis has been placed on working to promote a sense of human dignity through social welfare related ministries: educating for social justice, advocating for social justice and social welfare, environmental sustainability, women and children’s health, Aboriginal health and welfare, and working with disadvantaged groups in rural remote areas. Many of our sisters are also involved in promoting interfaith dialogue and cross cultural communication. Others bring their particular gifts to the tertiary field, including history and the arts.
The guiding principles of our ministries suggest certain ideals. In whatever we do, we try to recall those ideals: to enhance the freedom of people, respect human dignity, practice collaboration and partnership, value the presence and contribution of women, share wisdom, contribute to the reform of the church and achieve justice.

Formation:

Of course, every life journey is an individual one, and before any decision even to try out religious life, there will be a period of enquiry with no strings attached, a chance for both you and the IBVM to get acquainted. Sometimes, this takes months, sometimes years! If it seems right to go ahead, you apply to become a candidate when you are ready to make that step. Being a candidate means that while you continue your normal life - job, study, friends, independence - you take a much closer look at the IBVM life, work and spirit, even living for some of this period with an IBVM community, to see if it suits you. Candidacy normally last 6 - 12 months and involves regular contact with someone to guide you. Then, if and when it seems right (to you and to the Institute) to make the next step, you apply to begin your novitiate.

Though still obligation-free, this is a much more structured and formal two-year period where you live in community as if you were a sister - you are no longer just observing but really trying out the life. The novitiate programme is geared to the individual and offers a very challenging mixture of instruction/study and experience/reflection. The first year focuses more on your inner, spiritual journey and relationship with God, while the second year is more outward looking and preparing for ministry. This period is essentially about exploring and testing out whether the IBVM life; work and spirit really suit you.

At the end of the novitiate, if it does seem right, you make vows (for one or two years at a time), and begin your ministry as a religious. During this time of 'temporary vows', you will continue to have some special support and guidance, but live as a fully committed member of the Institute. This may involve moving to different communities, different ministries, further study and personal growth. About five years after finishing the novitiate, you must make a final decision about whether or not this life is for you. If it is, you vow, with God's grace, a permanent commitment - but don't imagine that is the end of the journey!

VOCATION INFORMATION:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

LORETO SISTERS
9 CHESSINGTON GARDENS
MT CLAREMONT WA 6010

PHONE: 08 9384 9114
FAX: 08 9386 7206

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

LORETO SISTERS
2 TALBOT GROVE
MARRYATVILLE SA 5068
Telephone: 08 8364 4135 / 08 8332 7588

QUEENSLAND:

LORETO SISTERS
8 GEELONG AVENUE
HOLLAND PARK Q 4121

PHONE: 07 3397 9051
FAX: 07 3397 8606

NEW SOUTH WALES:

LORETO SISTERS
71 CARABELLA STREET
KIRRIBILLI NSW 2061
Telephone: 02 9923 2900

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

LORETO SISTERS
PO BOX 0804(24 Bermingham Crescent Bayview)
PARAP NT 0820

PHONE: 08 8981 4943
FAX: 08 8941 3931

VICTORIA:

LORETO SISTERS
14 LYONS STREET SOUTH
BALLARAT VIC 3350
 
PHONE:     03 5331 1471
FAX:          03 5331 3206
EMAIL: cwlormm@netconnect.com.au 

VOCATIONS DIRECTOR:

MARGARET FINLAY IBVM
LORETO SISTERS
9 CHESSINGTON GARDENS
MT CLAREMONT WA 6010
PHONE: 08 9384 9114
FAX: 08 9386 7206
MOB: 0417 211 017

THE MARIST SISTERS: CONGREGATION OF MARY sm

Throughout the history of the Church there have been people who have dreamed of something different. Early last century in France a group of seminarians had a dream  " to form a new religious family under the name of Mary. They were convinced that the answer to the spiritual needs of their day was to breathe into the world something of the spirit of Mary. And so began the family of Marists" priests, brothers, sisters and lay people. Jeanne Marie Chavoin was the young woman who joined Jean Claude Colin and helped to form the branch of the family known as the Marist Sisters.

From the beginning, Marists have looked to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as their model of service to the people of their time. They are committed to doing her work and living out her spirit of faithful discipleship. Marist Sisters have ministered in Australia since 1908.

Mission and Ministry:

As religious women Marist Sisters are called to be in touch with life collaborating with Mary in bringing the compassionate presence of God to those most in need. They do this in a simple and unassuming way. As women of prayer and action they journey with and among people going beyond the differences of religion, nationality, culture or social background.

The Marist Sisters are an international congregation. Members are currently working in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Senegal, The Gambia, The Philippines, USA and Venezuela serving the many needs of people. In Australia sisters work for justice and are involved in education, nursing, parish ministry, university and prison chaplaincy, care of the aged and outreach to refugees, asylum seekers, as well as the poor and needy.

Formation:

The period of formation is an important and privileged time " a time to discern one’s call and to grow in awareness of the richness and relevance of the Marist spirit and charism. Essential to the entire formation process is regular accompaniment, on-going discernment and daily prayer.

The initial period of formation is known as Pre-Candidacy. With the guidance of a nominated sister, the pre-candidate visits, prays and celebrates with a Marist community as she grows in her awareness of call and begins to discover how religious life is lived as a Marist. This experience is then deepened during Candidacy when the young women lives within a Marist community. The time of candidacy varies but lasts for at least nine months.

It is during the two year Novitiate period that the young woman is formally initiated into Marist Life. She sets aside her usual work/ministry and undertakes a period of human, spiritual, theological and Marist formation. If the Novice is accepted for Profession she takes vows of chastity, poverty and obedience initially for three years entering into a period of temporary profession. The period of temporary profession enables the Sister to continue her Marist formation for mission while participating actively in ministry and living in a community of the Region of Asia Pacific as she journeys to Perpetual profession in the Congregation of Mary.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Noelene Simmons SM
Vocations Ministry
77 Allawah Street
BLACKTOWN  NSW 2148

Telephone 0450 279 463

Email: vocations@maristsisters.org

Websites: www.marists.org  and www.maristsisters.org

MISSIONARIES OF GOD'S LOVE SISTERS

The MGL Sisters are a new group of women, who, touched by the love of God, feel called to belong entirely to Him. Having experienced the love of Jesus personally, we feel invited to live a life exclusively centred on His love. We express our response of love to God through our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in a lifestyle of prayer, sisterhood and evangelisation. We desire to draw close to Jesus whose passionate love is like a fire that brings life. We see this most clearly as we reflect upon His death on the cross in which the fullness of His perfect, self-giving love is most clearly shown.
The Missionaries of God’s Love began in 1987 under the guidance of Fr Ken Barker within the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community in Canberra. We place our lives under the grace of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. This is a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life deepening the experience of one’s Baptism and Confirmation.

The MGL Sisters are called to live radically the gospel of Jesus Christ and to share this Gospel without compromise in today’s world. Through the fire of God’s love we experience a decisive grace to leave everything in order to follow Jesus and to give all without counting the cost, so we may share as fully as possible in His life and mission.

Mission and Ministry:

Our mission is to bring the love of God to others. We aim to lead people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and to experience a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We also seek to help people develop their gifts and to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to bring the good news of Jesus to others. Wherever we go we invite people to personally experience a new release of the power of their baptism and confirmation through a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We also try to build vibrant community life so that people have a rich experience of belonging within the Church and receive the support and challenge they need to grow as followers of Jesus. We have a particular focus on reaching young people with the liberating message of Jesus. We also focus on those groups of people who are unchurched or alienated from the Church in some way.

Our present missions include:

• Camps for youth and young adults

• Youth groups

• Schools ministry work

• International and regional youth schools of evangelisation

• Ministry to mothers of young children.

• Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care

• Working with indigenous people

• Life in the Spirit Seminars

• Prison Ministry

• Public housing

Formation:

Young women exploring the possibility of a call to join us are invited to do a “Come and See” visit. After a period of discernment and ongoing contact, they may decide to enter into a one-year pre-novitiate that allows them to share in our life and mission. If this is a confirming experience they then may be invited to enter a two-year novitiate program. After this time, they may be invited to profess initial vows.

This process occurs within a house of formation that aims to provide a supportive environment and a loving experience of sisterhood and community. The young women involved participate in a program of studies that encourage human, intellectual and spiritual maturity. They are given the opportunity to participate in various ministries supported by the sisters and working alongside lay people.

Five years after initial vows, being confirmed in lifestyle and ministry, they may be then ready to profess final vows as an MGL Sister.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Contact: 
Therese Mills MGL
58 Hannaford St,
Page, ACT 2614
Phone: (02) 6254 5441
Email:therese.mgl@gmail.com

Website: www.mglvocation.org

MISSIONARY FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - mfic

“To devote myself to foreign missions
and never by any act of my own will
to seek to be removed from them”

 (Sr M. Ignatius)  ElizabethHayes, Foundress

With this fourth vow Elizabeth Hayes set a firm direction for the work of her Institute. Her daughters, faithful to this charism, have ministered in some of the poorest countries and situations in the world with the intention of manifesting God’s universal compassion through inclusive non-dominating relationships of love.

Called to a diversity of works and trusting in God’s providence, the sisters have endeavoured to live and minister in a manner that affirms the right of all people to a just share of the earth’s resources.

As members of an international institute our sisters minister in the following countries where they are faced daily with the many challenges associated with differences in language and culture:

• Australia
   

• United States of America
   

• Bolivia
   

• Peru
   

• Egypt
   

• England
   

• Ireland
   

• Northern Ireland
   

• Canada
   

• Italy
   

• Papua New Guinra
   

• Sudan

We wear on our name badges the words “Franciscans for Peace” which call us to address continuously the need within ourselves for repentance, forgiveness and healing while promoting a message of reconciliation. In whatever ministry we are engaged we seek to identify with the poor and the marginalized in promoting peace built on justice.

Followers of Francis of Assisi we reverence creation wherever we are, acknowledging the right of all God’s creatures to enjoy its blessings.

Mission and Ministry:

Francis of Assisi, responded to a call from God to follow radically Christ’s Gospel way of life. Gradually Francis discovered God’s love not only in all of creation but especially in Christ Crucified and in the crib of Bethlehem. Francis became a prophet in the market place, a sign of contradiction to the thirteenth century forces of greed and violence, a Christ-presence bringing joy and peace to others.

Elizabeth (Mother M. Ignatius) Hayes, a woman of courage, prayer, service and determination who lived from 1823 to 1894, likewise responded to a call from God to embrace radical Gospel living. Today she is warmly regarded as a woman who stepped outside the nineteenth-century stereotype in order to search out God’s plan for her. She founded the international Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and was editor-publisher of the first Franciscan journal in the English language - this was how her first followers saw her – foundress and propagator of good books. Elizabeth always loved reading and this shaped many experiences in her life including her schooling on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, her desire to educate others, her choice to embrace the Catholic faith, her interest in overseas missions, her understanding of the needs of a changing world and her fruitfulness as a contributor to Catholic journalism on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Glasgow Franciscan Sisters, who trace their history back to the French Grey Sisters of St. Francis, enriched Elizabeth in her Franciscan way of life and allowed her to take a fourth vow, as well as the usual three simple vows of poverty chastity and obedience, so that she could dedicate her life to the foreign missions. It was the fourth vow that led her from Glasgow to Jamaica, to London, Paris and Rome, to Sevres and Berlin and back to St. Thomas in the Channel Isles, to New York and finally to Belle Prairie, Minnesota, USA, in late 1872 ready to open a school with an impressive curriculum the next year. At each new stage of her journey, Elizabeth was learning to know herself and her God, to give herself for others and to search for fruitfulness rather than success - which she would need as a leader of the enthusiastic young women who came to join her.

When God calls free human beings to enter a covenant, God remains faithful to it and so our branch of the Franciscan family became a reality in a small one-roomed log cabin in North America’s ‘wild west’. The initial years of guiding the young community were years that called for a depth and breadth of vision that could only have come from a profound faith and a very deep sense that this call to mission was from God and would therefore be sustained by God through even the hardest trials.

By 1878, when the Belle Prairie community could count six professed sisters and a flourishing novitiate, Elizabeth’s attention was drawn to the suffering black population of the South and by 1879 she and a small community were ministering in the diocese of Savannah, Georgia, as well as entertaining and educating their readers by printing and distributing their Annals of Our Lady of the Angels.

The foundress saw the need to move the novitiate, and not long afterwards her printing house, to Rome, a symbolic action testifying that our mission was not confined to the peoples of any particular race or country but that it was to extend to the wider Church.

Four years after the death of the foundress on May 6, 1894, and in her spirit, a mission was initiated in Fayoum, Egypt and we still have sisters in this country today. In 1912 a mission was opened in Montreal, Canada; in 1930 one in Kedron, Australia, and nineteen years later missionary activities were extended to Papua New Guinea.

Called by God's love to follow St. Francis and Elizabeth Hayes, we are pilgrims in this modern world striving to practice their Gospel principles and values. Turning continually to God in Christ, we endeavour to turn towards all keeping in mind the exhortation of Francis: Let them be happy to live among the outcast and despised, among the poor, the weak, the sick, the unwanted, the oppressed and the destitute (Rule of the Third Order Regular Chapter VI#21), In genuine concern for one another, we travel together as those who have here no permanent home and we are in readiness to welcome other women of like aspirations who will join us on our challenging and rewarding journey.

Formation:

Formation as a Missionary Franciscan Sister is based on each woman's individual situation and needs, and gently follows the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) which initiates a candidate into full Church membership. A companion accompanies the person within the context of a local community of sisters on a journey of preparation for the vowed life which is transformative for the community as well as for the candidate.

We offer an invitation to those seeking to live as a vowed member to “Come and See” (John 1) what it means to live the Franciscan way of life. This is a time when a woman gets to know the Franciscans through social contacts, sharing of ministry, prayer involvement together, visits to the community and short or long term live-ins. This "getting to know you" period usually takes place while the person remains in her own personal and professional environment.

When the woman is ready to take the next step and comes to live with the Franciscan community, theological education, guidance in meditation and prayer, Franciscan spirituality, personal reflection and community tradition continues. A Franciscan companions the woman through this time of discernment, discovery, and the deepening of her relationship with Jesus Christ, which enables her to become ready for the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience (called temporary vows because they are taken for shorter periods and are renewed).

During the time of temporary vows, the person continues to grow into the fullness of Franciscan life and ministry as she experiences and explores the realities of being called to this particular relationship with Jesus Christ, among these particular sisters, in this particular community. Spiritual and professional education continue at this time also, and a special period of immediate preparation is given, before final vows.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Pauline Robinson
P. O. Box 1100
STAFFORD Qld 4031

Phone: (07) 3350 5990
FAX: (07) 3350 5899
 

Missionary Sisters of Mary Queen of the World

Founded in North Vietnam in 1670 under the name The Lovers of The Cross Kien Lao Bui Chu, the first Congregation of the Lovers of the Cross in South East Asia. The founder, Bishop Pierre Lambert de Ia Motte MEP (Missions Etrangeres de Paris), born in 1624 in France. In 1658 he was appointed Vicar for the mission in China and Vietnam.  Since his youth Pierre had a very deep understanding of God’s love for human kind in the sufferring Jesus. He actively involved in the prayer groups, social, pastoral and mission activities in his area. His zeal to convey this love to others especilally the sufferring people lead him to think of finding a group of women to do this work. The Lovers of the Cross Kien Lao was then founded during his mision in Vietnam. Many joined and worked among people in different areas as Bishop Pierre indicated "to instruct the young, both christian and non-christian; visit and attend to the sick, praying for their needs of soul and body; baptise children and procure the conversion of women and girls who are leading bad life". Sisters follow his spirituality living the life of love for God, prayer, simplicity and serve his people, especially the disadvantaged.

Under the severe pressure of persecutions of faith which had prolonged for more than 300 years and many other trials, the Lovers of the Cross Kien Lao struggled to survive. In 1953 the Congregation was re-established in Lien Thuy Bui Chu, North Vietnam. Its new name, Missionary Sisters of Mary, Queen has been changed since 1966.

Mission and Ministry:

Traditionally, Sisters carry out their essential mission in the Church through variety ministries according to their individual capacities and apostolic possibilities open to them. The areas of health care, education, pastoral, social and charitable works are all presented. Sisters place a strong emphasis on the life of prayer, in union with God and surrender themselves totally to him as essential for the fruitfulness of their apostolic work in the Church.

Formation:

Pre-postulancy: The young women who are interested in religious life may be invited to "come and see" what it means to be a Missionary Sisters of Mary, Queen. During the period of pre-postulancy, prospective candidates may live together under the care of some Sisters; share occasionally in meals community recreations and prayer with the sisters; become acquainted with the works of the Congregation and share in them some way; receive guidance in prayer and spiritual reading from sisters appointed to help them and be assisted in their personal and academic preparation for religious life.

Postulancy: Postulants will live in the community of the Congregation for at least six months. The Directress will guide the Postulants in their prayer and to help them to discern their calling, to grow in their relationship with God and their community, and to foster their desire to serve God’s people. A review of the fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine, Moral Theology, Spirituality, Religious Life and the Spirit of the Congregation are included in their training. They will learn skills in activities helpful in community or in activities related to apostolic works. W1-’ien this time end, Postulant and her Directress discern, together and individually , that she is ready to commence her Novitiate, she will make a written request to become Novice.

The Novitiate is a period of two years. The Novices will be prepared for Religious Profession with a time of solitude, prayer, theology study and with an experience of community life and mission in the spirit and charism of Mary, Queen.

On the completion of Novitiate, if the Novice and the Sisters accompany her discern that it is suitable, she may be admitted to the temporary profession, which extends for six years and may be prolong to nine years. During these years she is supported by the community and continues her spiritual formation. She will be provided opportunities for further studies needed in ministry or may participate in the ministries according to her capacities and abilities. The deepening in special relationship with Jesus, the growing in spirituality, the experiences gain in ministries, the sharing life and experiences with her Sisters will enable her to make an appropriate decision in her final act of consecration to God in the Congregation of Misionary Sisters of Mary, Queen.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For futher information contact:

Sr. Chanel Dinh or Sr. Miriam Hai
P0 Box 169
Granville NSW 2142

Telephone: 02 9637 9953/02 9637 1827
Facsimile: 02 9637 7185
Email:dinhchanel@hotmail.com

Sr. Michaela Thu or Sr. Louise Pham
20 Margaret Crescent
Braybrook VIC 3019

Telephone 03 9312 2660

Missionary Sisters of Service - MSS

We, Missionary Sisters of Service, are a community of women called to–

• be bearers of hope in our world

• bring the Good News of justice, compassion and peace to the whole of creation

• pastoral service, that all may be transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Our motto is into the highways and byways. We have a particular concern for people on the margins, geographically, culturally, spiritually or socially.

The Missionary Sisters of Service is an Australian Catholic religious order, founded by Father John Wallis in Tasmania in 1944.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

MSS Administration Centre
PO Box 2075
Rangeview
Victoria 3132

Email:mssleader@missionarysisters.org.au

Website: http://www.missionarysisters.org.au/

Missionary Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny - SJC

Founded by Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey in 1807 in France; introduced to Australia by Archbishop Mannix in 1950 in the Diocese of Melbourne, from Dublin. The headquarters of the Order is in Paris France.

We are challenged by Anne Marie Javouhey

• To stand as counter witness to the spirit of the age,

• To search for God’s Will in the challenges of the day,

• To risk everything in complete confidence in order to announce Jesus Christ,

• To believe in the dignity of the poorest and to work to promoter freedom from oppression.

Australian Headquarters:

Regional Office
8/1 Carlson Avenue
Clayton VIC  3168

Phone: 03 9540 0303

Fax: 03 9545 5560

email: clunymelb@bigpond.com

website: http://www.sjcaustralia.org

THE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART - msc

Our Congregation was founded in 1900 to assist the people of Papua New Guinea where Missionary Sisters were urgently needed to continue the work of evangelization. Father Hubert Linckens, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart, was entrusted with the task of beginning this new Religious Congregation. He was filled with the charism of his own Founder, Father Jules Chevalier MSC. Father Linckens understood that in the Heart of Christ the compassionate love of God for all humanity was constantly at work. He further believed that this Love was the remedy for the “evils of our time” and felt urged to make this Love known to all people. As Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, we too desire to bear witness to the reality of God’s Love active everywhere.

In 1928 we were called to Australia to be of assistance to the Missionaries in Papua New Guinea. This was especially important when poor health required that the Missionaries withdraw from the tropics from time to time in order to regain their strength. In the meantime our energies and love were devoted to the people of Australia desiring to serve them in whatever way the Church asked of us.

Mission and Ministry:

Therefore from the very beginning, we were oriented to a “mission without limits”, open to respond to the needs of the time. We were motivated by the desire “To be on Earth the Heart of God.”

We were placed at the service of the Church and today our Mission reaches 21 countries throughout the world: Australia, China, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Kiribati, Korea, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Spain, U.S.A. and Vietnam.

Here in Australia, we are involved in many different ministries: Ecumenism, Parish, Media and Spiritual Guidance. We care for the Mentally Ill, the Disabled, and the Frail Aged. We work with Migrants and Refugees, the Hearing Impaired and all those who need us. We are constantly involved in overseas Missions endeavouring always “To be on Earth the Heart of God.”

Formation:

Our main thrust in Formation is to develop a deep Spirituality of the Heart in each sister just as Father Linckens our Founder urged:

“For this heart you are in the midst of the world.

We have experienced God’s love and are called to share it,

through our being and our actions,

in all circumstances, at all times.”

(Father Hubert Linckens, MSC, Selected Texts)

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart,
PO Box  295
DEEPDENE VIC 3103

Tel: (03) 9817 4772

Email:ausmsc@ bigpond.com.au.

The Poor Clare Story - OSC

The Poor Clare Story began with Clare and Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago.  Francis Bernardone's earliest dreams were of becoming a knight, and winning honour and glory.  When these dreams came to nothing, Francis found himself seeking out secluded spots for prayer and reflection.

Before the crucifix in the small, run down church of San Damiano outside Assisi, he became aware of Christ's call to repair his church.  Leaving aside his dreams of glory he started to repair San Damiano, but soon realised that Christ was calling him to bring to the whole church a message of peace and joy, poverty and penance, through a radical Gospel life.

The message was heard by Clare Offreduccio, a young girl of 17 or 18, who had already sensed the call of Christ.  Clare's family had other dreams for her, but Clare listened to her own heart.  She sought Francis' advice, confident that he would understand and support her, finally she left her home, promised obedience to Francis, and prepared to follow Christ by a radical Gospel of poverty.

San Damiano became her home; here she and those who soon joined her, lived lives of prayer and penance, poverty and simplicity, peace and joy, as they sought to follow the Gospel.  Supported by one another, their lives were enriched by the sisterly love that flourished among them. Today there are over 18,000 Poor Clares in 800 monastries around the world. 

Mission And Ministry:

As followers of Clare and Francis, we are committed to living the Gospel within a contemplative way of life.  Though the externals of the 13th century, even those of the early 20th century, are no longer prominent, we live within enclosure, not by means of walls and grilles, but with a deep  appreciation of the conditions that living apart helps to create and maintain: solititude and silence, prayer, and attentive listening to the Word of God in union with Mary our mother.

Over the years many things in our life have changed, but the essentials remain constant: daily life in the monastery revolves around the Eucharist, the praying of the divine office, personal prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, work, study and recreation, creating a rhythm of prayer and work.  Our role in the church is one of prayer, praise of God, and intercession for the needs of the world, sharing as we do in its joys and sorrows, its pain and its hopes.

Our life is simple and relatively uncluttered; we seek to intimate Christ in his poverty, and in his life of service, sharing in the daily tasks of life in the monastery which is our home.  Relying on the goodness and compassion of God, and on the generosity of benefactors, we support ourselves mainly by the making of altar breads.  Our life together is deeply marked by the realisation that we are indeed sisters to one another.

Though withdrawn from the mainstream of society we try to be attentive to the signs of God's presence in or world, seeking to keep abreast of the needs and concerns of the church and the world, of our diocese and our franciscan family.  In simplicity  and openness to the Spirit we trust that our way of life continues to be responsive to these concerns and needs, and that our lives will enrich the church, the world, and the entire universe.

Formation

It takes time to discern whether someone attracted to this way of lie is truly called to live it; the discernment process usually calls for a 'live-in' for a few weeks with the sisters in the monastery.  The time in formation itself spans at least 6 years; it includes a preliminary year (postulacy) followed by two years of spiritual formation (novitiate) before undertaking to live according to our way of life for a definiite time of at least three years (first profession).  Her formation will include scripture and theology, church history, spirituality, liturgy, religious life, and franciscan studies; she will also be helped towards a growing openness to God, to her sisters, to all people, and to creation itself.

Vocation Information

The Abbess
Bethlehem Monastery
PO Box 416
Campbelltown  NSW  2560

Phone: 02 4625 1591
Fax: 02 4628 9940
email: bethlehem-mon@one.net.com.au
 

Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor oln

When a young woman with a spinal injury met a young newly ordained priest in Redfern, Sydney, there began a friendship which in 1913 would lead to the foundation of a Society whereby Catholic women living in community would care for the poor in their homes. Both Eileen Rosaline O’Connor and Fr Timothy Edward McGrath MSC knew from their personal family experience the hardships involved in being sick and poor. Integral to their vision was the visiting and nursing of sick people, not in hospital, but, still desperately needing the skilled care for which they could not afford to pay.

Eileen was joined by seven other young women who were touched by her spirituality and her deep compassion for the poor and neglected of the suburbs of Sydney. From the beginning Our Lady’s Nurses were immersed in the community by their work. They had only one rule for their service: they were to care for “the poor and the poor only”. A rule which the sisters and their helpers continue to this day.

The spirit of Eileen O’Connor is the inspiration of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor who today make a steadfast commitment to stand with the poor as carers, advocates and friends.

Mission and Ministry:

The different skills and gifts of the sisters are shared by them to meet the needs that have emerged in a society steeped in brokenness and pain. We are an Australian Order, small, yet able to be a loving presence in the areas reached by the Communities of Coogee, Randwick and Kings Cross in Sydney; of Minto in Campbelltown; Merewether in Newcastle and New Farm in Brisbane, being close to people as Jesus was.

Ministries where we are involved:

 

• Healing through Caring - Home Nursing - Visiting - Hospitality - Assisting people to access services - Being a presence to those who feel alienated, unloved, uncared for.

• Healing through Friendship - Supporting Families and others in their broken relationships and struggles through their bereavements - their sense of failure and disappointments.

• Healing through Advocacy - Standing with those who feel unable to oppose unjust structures and systems on their own.
   

• Healing through Listening - Responding to needs of the poor today which require specific skills and diversity of expression.
   

“As Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor we give expression to God’s unconditional and liberating love in all that we do”. (Chapter 1999)

Formation:

We recognize that something new happens each time a candidate joins our community and wants to journey with us to discern whether they are called to religious life and to our particular spirit. It is a moment of grace.

The journey consists of four stages:

The enquiry stage is a gradual introduction to our way of life within one of our local communities.

In the journey stage a candidate is encouraged to live and work fully within the community. It is a time for discernment and recognition of her call as realistic.

The novitiate stage is over two years. It provides her with a further opportunity for discernment, religious life studies, congregational history, spirituality and ministry experiences suitable to her gifts and needs.

Temporary profession is the stage where by a sister is able to continue discernment of her call with the support and encouragement of her community. It is a time for further study both theological and professional and for ministry suitable to her skills, in response to the needs of the poor. Her decision regarding life long commitment leads her to allow the Christ who is formed in her to be Jesus for and with the poor.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Anne O’Shaunessy OLN
Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor
Locked Bag 3100
Coogee NSW 2034
Phone: 02 9664 2005
Fax: 02 9664 2600
Email:olnp@ourladysnurses.org.au

Kerry Macdermott OLN
Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor
14 Bigge Way
Minto NSW 2566

Phone: 02 9603 6854

Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd - "Pastorelle"

Our Story -Then and Now:

As far back as the early months of his priesthood, when he was assistant parish priest in Narzole in 1908, Fr. James Alberione, had thought of how good it would be to have a religious family that would work exclusively along side priests in the pastoral care and building up of the Christian community. He had understood the value and complementarity of men and women in pastoral ministry reflecting the experience of the early Church.  But it wasn’t until 1938 in Genzano, Italy, that he was able to give historical reality to his intuition by founding the Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd, familiarly known as “Pastorelle” which is the Italian word for “shepherdesses” or “women-pastors”.

Mission and Ministry:

Fr. Alberione saw the Pastorelle Sisters as Religious who would share in the pastoral mission of Jesus in cooperation with the pastors of the Church. “They are to be the sisters, the mothers, the teachers, the catechists, the consolers of every sorrow, a ray of light and of beneficial and endless sunshine in the parish”.  Always look to Jesus good Shepherd” he said, “and live as he lived. This must be a constant through in your life” (So70). And so, everyday as individuals and as a community, we listen to and contemplate the word of God and build around the Eucharist a visible communion at the service of the kingdom.

We are called and empowered through grace, to be signs of the compassion of Jesus whose love reaches all people in all circumstance of their daily life; companions in the ways of faith and search for meaning; sharing in the joys and hopes, the suffering and anxieties of the women, men and children we are privileged to journey with.

The Pastorelle Sisters have communities in 18 countries around the world. In Australia we have communities in Melbourne and Adelaide and are involved in pastoral ministry in various parishes and two secondary schools working in cooperation with priests and lay leaders, and alongside our Pauline Cooperators. Our Congregation is part of the Pauline Family which has Fr James Alberione as common father and founder.

Formation:

Personal accompaniment during which the young woman who has expressed an interest in our vocation meets regularly with one of the Sisters.

Postulancy, a six to twelve months period lived in community. This is a particular time of discernment and transition to allow the young woman to experience community life and the ministry among the Pastorelle Sisters.

Novitiate: This is a two year-programme, theologically based and designed to lead the young person to a deeper understanding of the charism of the Pastorelle Sisters and what it means to offer her life to Christ the Good Shepherd through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The Novitiate House for candidates who enter in Australia is in New Manila, Philippines. The first year is done in New Manila while the second year, being an apostolic year in preparation for the First Religious Profession, can be done either in the Philippines or Australia
.
Temporary Profession can be up to six years, The Sister completes her studies, generally a bachelor of theology and/or studies in pastoral ministry. She is given some responsibilities in pastoral ministries, and through on-going accompaniment discerns her vocation as a Pastorelle Sister in preparation for Final Profession or life-commitment.

Vocation Information:

Vocations Director,
5 Nash Crt.
Bundoora Vic 3083

email: Sr Mary at pastorel@netspace.net.au

Lectio divina is offered to young people at our convent in Bundoora every last Saturday of the month from 11.00am to 12 midday.

Founded by St Clare and St Francis in 1212 at Assisi Italy.  Introduced to Australia by Franciscans, Rev Leonard Dunne  OFM with the approval of Archbishop Vaughan  in 1883, in the diocese of Sydney, from Newry and Keady, Ireland.

additional information available early 2012

Founded by St Francis of Assisi and St Clare of Assisi in 1212.  Colettines-Monasteries that accept the Reform of St Collete (1381-1441).  Each Monistary is autonomous and observes Papal Enclosure.  We observe the Constitutions of the Federation of Mary Immaculate, USA.

Additional information to be added early 2012

Founded by Honora (Nano) Nagle in 1775 at Cork, Ireland.

Further information to be added early 2012

THE SALESIAN SISTERS - DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS - fma
 

The Salesian Sisters is a Religious Family born of the heart of St John Bosco and the creative fidelity of St Maria Mazzarello.

Our story began in Mornese (Northern Italy) in 1872 with a group of women led by Maria Mazzarello. Together they responded to a particular call to work with young people of all ages, especially the disadvantaged and the marginalised.

"I entrust them to you" from one generation to the next is the mandate given to each Salesian Sister as she walks with the young person towards God.

Loving Kindness is characteristic of our Salesian Spirituality which aims at seeing the best in people and developing their gifts and talents to full potential.

Mission and Ministry:

In a time of great transformation Salesian Sisters are called to give their specific contribution to the cause of good in the Church and in society. Following the footsteps of our founders, we are moving towards the third millennium with hearts that reflect an openness and sensitivity to people and their needs and situations.

Salesian Sisters are present in every continent and have mission centres throughout the world. Our Australian Province has its own mission in Samoa.

We are 40 women living in small communities and working in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide while in the Pacific we have established four communities in Samoa, American Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

We live the spirit of our first Sisters in a style that is free to love, to serve and to follow the person of Jesus Christ.

Today's Salesian Sisters are involved in a multitude of ministries:

 

• Education at every level
• Recreational centres
• Pastoral care
• Retreat centres
• Student Hostels
• Parish Work
• Accounting, secretarial and administrative duties
• Working alongside refugees and migrants
• Holiday Camps
• Sacramental preparation

"Each small step that we take is important and the way we live and the choices we make can truly make a difference." [General Chapter, 1996]

Formation:

In Australia, a "House of Inquiry" has been set up in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows. Initial encounters are offered to women interested in exploring the possibility of a call to life as a Salesian Sister. An experience of one to two years would take place in community. This is a time of prayerful discernment, as well as, spiritual, professional and personal growth.

The novitiate is a two year programme which is theologically based and leads to a deeper understanding of the Salesian Charism. It is a time of greater discernment and understanding in the Salesian Journey towards First Profession.

Preparation for Final Profession is a journey of six to nine years. It is a time of further discernment and active participation in ministry and Salesian community life.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Salesian Sisters
3-5 Rupert Court
BROADMEADOWS VICTORIA 3047
Phone: 03 9309 8931
Fax: 03 9309 8941
Email:fmabroad@salesiansisters.org.au

Salesian Sisters
15 Donald Street
CLAYTON VICTORIA 3168
Phone: 03 9543 8328
Fax: 03 9543 8359
Email:fmaclayton@salesiansisters.org.au

Salesian Sisters
PO Box 548
ENGADINE NSW 2233
Phone: 02 9548 1027
Fax: 02 9548 6027
Email:engadinesisters@optusnet.com.au

Salesian Sisters
8 Mamre Road
ST MARY'S NSW 2760
Phone: 02 9623 4008
Fax: 02 9623 0683
Email:salesiansisters@bigpond.com

Salesian Sisters
43 George Street
SCORESBY VIC 3179
Phone: 03 9763 7104
Fax: 03 9763 4085
Email:fmascores@salesiansisters.org.au

Salesian Sisters
30 Marshall Terrace
Brooklyn Park SA 5032
Phone: 08 8443 5322
Email:fmabrook@ozemail.com.au

THE SERVITE SISTERS - SERVANTS OF MARY osm

The Servite Sisters are a branch of the main Order of the Servants of Mary, founded by seven Florentine merchants in Italy in the 13th century. The Order began in response to the divine call for Prayer and Penance, inspired by the Blessed Mother of Sorrows. In the same century, with the entry of St. Juliana Falconeiri, young girls were accepted to the Order as Servite Sisters.

"We the Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows, servants of Mary, are a religious community of Pontifical Rite. We are Sisters united together with a common desire to follow Christ, as our one necessity, to witness the Gospel in sisterly communion; to be at the service of the church and all humankind drawing abiding inspiration from Mary the Mother and servant of the Lord".

Our Congregation was founded in South India in 1854 by five young women, guided and helped by Fr. Peter Mecatti, an Italian Jesuit who lived in India. In 1927 it was affiliated with the main Order of Servites in Italy. In 1957 the congregation received the degree of praise from Pope Pius XII and was raised to the rank of Pontifical Congregation. Our Congregation has established more than 150 houses throughout India, Burma, Australia, Philippines and Italy. Our total strength amounts to one thousand living at present. Our apostolate was mainly in the field of education; especially educating children in kindergarten, primary, secondary, and postgraduate level in our institutions. But after Vatican II we have moved into other fields according to the science of the time and the needs of the local church, especially in Nursing Pastoral assistance, care of the elderly, physically handicapped and social outcasts such Lepers. Some sisters live in the remote villages for the sake of giving social awareness and justice to the disadvantaged people.

Mission and Ministry:

In Western Australia we have four houses and the first of our convents was established at Mt Lawley in 1970. We are involved in teaching, nursing, pastoral care and Aboriginal Apostolate. As we are small in number we work in institutions run by the Servite Friars, the Knights of the Southern Cross and parishes in the metropolitan and in the country area (Narrogin). However, we run a Centre for Aboriginal children and adults (Kora Aboriginal Centre). We provide services and facilities for children aged 2 to 5 (day care), and a homework centre for primary school children. We also conduct adult education classes and youth projects. Our main aim is to uplift the disadvantaged Aboriginal groups. We operate at Kora Centre, 54 Lawrence Street, Bayswater, WA. Phone/Fax 08 9271 9031.

Formation:

VOWED MEMBERSHIP is open to Catholic women of any culture, single, widowed, or divorced, and normally between ages 21--50, who are engaged in work or pursuing studies. Candidates reside at a formation center and participate in spiritual development, scripture and church studies, religious training and mission experiences. After this period of discernment and preparation lasting 5-9 years, a life commitment of public vows and service is made.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Servite Sisters
22A Asteroid Way
Carlisle WA 6101
Telephone: 08 9361 9225(h) / 08 9208 0810 (w)
Fax: 08 9444 6141
Email:nevisa@servite.wa.edu.au

Servite Sisters
12 Hillview Road
Mount Lawley WA 6050
Telephone: 08 9271 5816


Servite Sisters
99 Clayton Road
Narrogin WA 6312
Telephone: 08 9881 5212

Servite Sisters
16 Kataning Rd
Kojonup - 6395 WA
Telephone: 08 9831 0418

SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER - pddm

Our Story began at the turn of the nineteen and twentieth century. A young seminarian, James Alberione spent the night separating the two centuries at prayer before the Blessed Sacrament at the Alba Cathedral in Italy. During his prayer which lasted four hours, in the depth of his heart he heard these words of Jesus: “Come to me all of you.” James felt a longing to do something for God and for the people of the new century. His dream was realised years later when young men and women gathered around him. They shared his apostolic enthusiasm to proclaim Christ and his message with the latest means-the media. This small group was the beginning of, what Fr. Alberione called as “the wonderful Pauline Family.”

We, the third member of this Family, were founded on 10 February 1924. Today we are present in 29 countries in all continents. In 1956 we had our beginnings in Sydney. Since then new communities have branched out to Melbourne and Auckland, New Zealand.

Mission and Ministry:

Our mission flows out of deep yet simple spirituality. By the sacrament of baptism we are already constituted temples of the Holy Spirit and with the religious consecration we commit ourselves to a more radical journey of discipleship following Jesus as our Master Way, Truth and Life.

We look to Mary as the first Disciple who always contemplated his Word and loved him. She is a woman of contemplative silence, profound joy and apostolic fecundity. We honour her as the Queen of the Apostles.

Saint Paul the Apostle inspires us with his writings and universal spirit. For us, Sister Disciples, he is a model of living in constant union with Christ “I live now, not I, but Christ lives in me” (cf. Gal. 2:20) which overflows with the desire to make him known to all peoples.

Called and gathered together by the love of God, we nourish our union with Christ at the table of the Word and the Eucharist. Our Eucharistic experience is transformed into a concrete testimony of life. Following the Pauline spirit of universality, we communicate God’s presence and compassion to the people of various cultures through our Eucharistic-liturgical-priestly mission.

Our mission of intercession flows from the daily Eucharistic celebration prolonged in moments of prayer in adoration. We pray for the needs of all peoples and remember in a special way those who work in the field of social communication, a precious mission entrusted to us by Blessed James Alberione himself.

We render liturgical service in terms of formation, catechesis, biblical-liturgical animations and publications in view of contributing to the growth of the life of faith of God's people. We also creatively place at the service of the liturgy the riches of various artistic expressions: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, dance, embroidery and other handicrafts in order that prayer may be characterized by beauty and dignity.

We serve the Church through accompaniment of the priest throughout his life. Our ministry of prayer and pastoral presence extends from the young man who is in vocational discernment to the priest who moves into retirement: we pray for priestly and religious vocations, help them in their growth and development, assist and accompany the presbyters in the exercise of their ministry, in times of suffering and pain, in their old age and in other difficult situations.

Formation:

The term formation refers to the gradual process of knowing oneself more deeply in order to be formed into the person of Jesus Christ, through the Pauline charism and the PDDM spirituality. This journey of discipleship takes place in various stages and engages the whole person: physical, psychological and spiritual. All this in order to build together the "community in mission" while the person continues to grow in her sense of belongingness to Christ and in her commitment to the specific PDDM mission in the Church.

Vocational Discernment: the period whereby the person becomes aware of being called to the consecrated life.

Postulancy: period of deepening the call of God and of knowing the PDDM Congregation better.

Novitiate: the time when the novice studies the deeper significance of consecrated life and experiences the community life and mission of the Institute. This is followed by the profession of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience according to the PDDM Rule of Life.

Juniorate: the stage of further deepening of consecrated life whereby priority is given to the integration of one's spiritual, intellectual and apostolic experience up to the point when the person is ready to make the perpetual vows.

Continuing Formation: a global and integral process which aims to arrive at a deeper maturity of "life in Christ" and a deeper commitment to his mission of bringing God's care and compassion to all.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If our vision and mission touch you and you would like to know more about the life of a Disciple of the Divine Master, please contact the Vocations Director:

NSW:
55 Broughton Road
Strathfield NSW 2135
Telephone: (02) 9763 1075
Facsimile: (02) 9746 2084
Email:nswvoc@pddm.org.au



VICTORIA:
830 Riversdale Road
Camberwell Vic 3124
Telephone: 03 9836 8282
Facsimile: 03 9836 0312
Email:vicvoc@pddm.org.au

SISTERS OF CHARITY  rsc

As the first religious women to come to Australia, in 1838, we have lived, prayed and served with the people of this country for 170 years. It has been a joy-filled privilege to be called to live this life for the glory of God, in the spirit of Jesus, and following the tradition bequeathed to us by our Foundress, Mary Aikenhead, who began the congregation in Dublin in 1815. Mary’s primary charism or 'gift to the church’ was that of ‘service of the poor’;  to this day, every Sister of Charity commits herself to this by taking a fourth vow, along with the usual religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.Our spirituality combines this charism with our Ignatian tradition, chosen by Mary for her congregation on the basis of her own experience as a novice under the guidance of the Loreto sisters in York and the Jesuit friends who assisted her at each stage of her journey.

Mission and Ministry:

Formation is simply the way in which we grow as persons, maturing in our ability to be fully alive to God and to all those with whom we come into contact. In religious life, this focus sharpens to a regular discernment about how and where God is leading me. Do I have a growing sense of joy and peace when I imagine giving my whole life to God within a religious community? If so, I might like to begin to explore this with a particular group of women whose vision and mission appeals to me.

If you already feel some attraction to becoming a Sister of Charity, you may like to get in touch with the sister whose contact details are below. Alternately, you may already know one or more Sisters of Charity, either from school or from your present study and/or work. They will be happy to respond to your questions and to direct you to the Inquiry Stage.

At the end of the novitiate, if through mutual discernment, you and the sisters believe God is calling you to continue, you will be invited to take temporary vows for up to five years, after which, God willing, you will be invited to make this commitment permanent by taking final vows.

Formation:

Formation is simply the way in which we grow as persons, maturing in our ability to be fully alive to God and to all those with whom we come into contact. In religious life, this focus sharpens to a regular discernment about how and where God is leading me. Do I have a growing sense of joy and peace when I imagine giving my whole life to God within a religious community? If so, I might like to begin to explore this with a particular group of women whose vision and mission appeals to me.

If you already feel some attraction to becoming a Sister of Charity, you may like to get in touch with the sister whose contact details are below. Alternately, you may already know one or more Sisters of Charity, either from school or from your present study and/or work. They will be happy to respond to your questions and to direct you to the Inquiry Stage. As an inquirer, you will continue your usual life, home, study, work, social life, while you explore the possibility of a religious vocation. A Sister of Charity will walk with you during this time and help you with your discernment.If and when it seems right for you and for the congregation, you will be invited to become a candidate. While continuing with your normal life, job, study, friendships, you will be invited to pray and socialise with Sisters of Charity, and to live with one of our communities. This will give you the opportunity to share something of our life first hand.

After some time as a candidate, you will move towards the more formal step of joining the congregation as a novice. During the first of these two years, you will have substantial time for reflection and in coming to understand the nature of religious life in theory and practice. Your second year will increasingly bring you experiences of sharing in the ministries of the congregation.
 

At the end of the novitiate, if through mutual discernment, you and the sisters believe God is calling you to continue, you will be invited to take temporary vows for up to five years, after which, God willing, you will be invited to make this commitment permanent by taking final vows.


VOCATION INFORMATION:

For more information, you are welcome to contact:

Sister Anne Taylor RSC
Sisters of Charity
110 Beach Street
BONDI NSW 2026

anne.taylor@rscoffice.com

Mobile: 0447 242 522
 

THE SISTERS OF MERCY rsm
 

Mercy life is in an exciting phase of being reimagined and expressed. Mercy women are continually challenged to think, to read and to reflect on their life and experiences in mission.

As Australian Sisters of Mercy our inspiration is drawn from our foundress Catherine McAuley, and the many women who came to our land to set up many communities.

In Ireland in 1831 Catherine recognised the needs of the poor and the marginalised. She responded by establishing a house of Mercy to educate women and the poor of Dublin to wholeness, for employment, and to provide necessary healthcare. Many women were attracted to her vision and embarked on a life of mercy, compassion and justice which took them beyond what they could ever had imagined.

Inspired by Catherine's vision Ursula Frayne and other mercy women began the arduous journey to Perth Australia in order to respond to the needs of the local people in this new land.

Today Sisters of Mercy and their ministry partners throughout Australia and beyond can be found carrying on the vision of Catherine McAuley. Through their mission they are constantly working to change unjust structures and to give witness to God's Mercy in exciting and creative ways.

Mission and Ministry:

As Mercy women we are:

• advocating for people with no voice and for those seeking justice at home and in developing countries;
• sharing our time, energy and resources so that people can have quality of life through the ministry of our various organisations eg hospitals, aged care facilities and social services;
• continuing to minister in creative ways in education, health and welfare;
• enabling women and men to experience healing though a range of pastoral and spiritual ministries eg counselling, art and other therapies and spiritual direction.

An exciting development with mercy women is the recognition of their many diverse skills and talents that are available within their ministries.

There are theologians, scripture scholars, writers and publishers, researchers, musicians, artists, bio-ethicists, ecumenists, canon lawyers, lawyers. Some are working in inter-faith relations, with media and modern technology, while others are environmentalists and ecologists. Many continue to administer institutions and others offer hospitality in a variety of ways.

Formation:

Vision Statement:

Claimed by God, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and fired by the Spirit burning in Catherine McAuley, women are nurtured as they explore their desire for a life commitment to God through the charism of Mercy and Justice within the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia.

Statement of Intention:

We, the members of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia, are committed to facilitating and enhancing the faith journey of each woman who is discerning a call from God to become a Sister of Mercy.

Women who meet the criteria essential to membership will engage in a process of formation meaningful for Religious Life in the Mercy tradition.

While their response to the call will be lived primarily in their local Congregations, women seeking membership will be educated to understand the national and international dimensions of Mercy Religious Life. Significant national experiences of ministry and community will be integral to their initial formation.

Contact: The Formation Co-Ordinator

email: isma@mercy.org.au

Access  the website of the  Sisters of Mercy,  or view ways of  becoming involved with the Order.

THE SISTERS OF NAZARETH - csn

The Sisters of Nazareth were founded in London by Victoire Larmenier " Mother St. Basil " at the request of Cardinal Wiseman to care for the aged poor. Later, the apostolate of the Sisters extended to care for homeless and abandoned children. The Congregation was founded in 1851 when Victoire Larmenier was 24 years old. Before her death in 1878, at the age of 51 she had opened Houses in other parts of England as well as Scotland and Ireland.

We share our life as a Community, praying, living and working together. In turn, the care provided by the Sisters endeavours to give expression to Gospel values and to demonstrate visibly and consistently the values held by our Foundress, Victoire Larmenier, and the traditions of our Congregation: love, compassion, loyalty, patience, justice, humility, hospitality and respect.

Mission and Ministry:

The Mission entrusted by the Church to the Congregation is based on the words of Christ “You did it to Me” (Mt. 25:40)

In ministering to the aged, persons with other health related needs and children the Sisters of Nazareth witness:

• To the inherent dignity of the human person
• That life in Christ is the most important of all realities
• That life reaches beyond time to eternal happiness.
• Our belief in the dignity and sacredness of life ensures the use of natural means to protect that life. The philosophy of Catholic nursing care is of paramount importance to the Sisters of Nazareth in their care of the aged. The Sisters reach out to others in solidarity with a willingness to understand each other’s experiences while recognizing God’s presence in all.
   

Formation:

Postulancy

The Postulancy is the first stage of Formation and lasts about one year. During this time the Congregation provides opportunity for a young woman discerning her vocation to experience the life of a Sister of Nazareth through the following:
 

• Beginning to share in the lifestyle of the Sisters of Nazareth through community and apostolate and engaging in the study program.
• Deepening her prayer life and continuing her individual spiritual growth and vocation discernment.

Novitiate

The Novitiate experience lasts two years. The first year, the Canonical Year, is made within the Novitiate itself. During the second year of Novitiate, discernment of vocation and study continues and the Novice spends time gaining apostolate experience in another community of the Congregation.

Temporary Profession

Temporary Profession is a period of growth towards perpetual profession. After first profession, a Sister enters into a new relationship with the Congregation and assumes the rights and responsibilities of a vowed life. Temporary profession usually lasts for five years.

Final Profession

After final profession all Sisters are given the opportunity for on-going formation which is an intrinsic requirement of religious consecration. Through continuing formation which encompasses her whole life, the Sisters deepen their consecration to God in all its fullness in keeping with the specific mission, character and charism of the Sisters of Nazareth.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Sesilia Loane csn

Nazareth House
218 Mill St
BALLARAT VIC 3353

smioane@gmail.com

Ph: (03) 5329 5200
Mb: 0416 787 994

THE SISTERS OF ST JOHN OF GOD - sjg

The last three decades of the nineteenth century were years of social change in much of the known world of the Northern Hemisphere.In Ireland, they were years of particular activity as the country recovered from the impact of years of oppression and a devastating famine.

In 1871, at the invitation of Bishop Thomas Furlong, a group of women came together at Wexford, in the South of Ireland. The Group's Vision was to live and witness to the faith-view of life and to continue the mission of God's compassionate care for his people. Their ministry of holistic health care found its expression in alleviating the pain of human suffering amongst the poor of the district in their homes and in the Work-houses.

These women, led by Bridget Clancy, were the founding group of the Sisters of St John of God. St John of God was chosen as patron of the new congregation because of his compassionate care of the poor.

By 1895 the communities in Ireland had grown and developed to the point that they were able to respond to Bishop Matthew Gibney's request for help to nurse the many victims of the typhoid epidemic spreading among the miners in the gold-fields of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. By 1907 a further group of John of God Sisters were serving the Aboriginal people of the Kimberley in the far north of Western Australia, where the sisters still minister today.

Mission and Ministry:

From these small beginnings have come numerous communities that today combine their faith-view of life with services for people in need. This they do in partnership with over 8000 lay workers. Moving towards the 21st century, the Sisters of St John of God and their team of partners are involved in a wide range of ministries across Australia. These ministries with marginal and community groups include: Healthcare services, Family services, Education, Pastoral Care, Counseling, Spiritual Direction, Visiting the elderly, and many new and emerging services to those involved in substance abuse and HIV-AIDS.

Though the Mission of the Sisters of St John of God is unchanging, the ways of mediating it change, depending on needs and circumstances.

In 1980 the Sisters of St John of God responded to a request from Bishop Armando Trinidade to minister in the area of health care in Pakistan. Today ministries there include women's health, mental health, education, and many facets of formation of new Sisters of St John of God.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Anybody wishing to hear more about our story, our current lifestyle and activities, please contact the personnel listed below:

Sr Ann CullinaneSJG
PO Box 473
WEMBLEY WA 6913
Telephone: 08 93469444
Facsimile: 08 9380 4159
Email:ann.cullinane@ssjg.org

Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition sja

MEMBERSHIP:
Ours is an international congregation, with 886 Sisters located in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, India, Burma, Thailand, Philippines and Western Australia.

FOUNDER & ORIGINS:
It was founded in Gaillac, France, on Christmas Day 1832, by St Emilie de Vialar, whose vision, under St Joseph as patron, was the glory of God and compassionate service of God's people.

HISTORY:
Four French Sisters arrived in Fremantle W.A. in 1855. They were the last to be commissioned by Emilie, who died in 1856 and was canonized in 1951.

CHARISM & SPIRITUALITY:
We live in a spirituality called to contemplate God's saving love for humankind and to give honour & witness to the mystery of the Incarnation as revealed to Joseph in Matthew's Gospel 1: 18-25.

Our charism impels us to be women of faith and love, who find God in all things, who love the church, who endeavour to keep up with the times by being open to the world and all people. We are women who adjust ourselves to God's saving action in St Joseph's simple, straightforward manner.

 

Mission and Ministry:

Emilie described the mission of the Congregation as the dedication of "the Sisters to the different works of charity". Each day of their lives, she writes, they must meditate on the "immense love which fills the heart of Jesus and strive to imitate his zeal...." The spirit which fired the heart of Emilie is to animate the Sisters in their mission. The mission is diverse; embodying education form pre-school to tertiary; catechetical and pastoral activities, hospital work, social work and assistance to the poor in various ways.

Our ministries include:

 

• Education: Schools (except in WA); Adult Faith; catechetics; RCIA; literacy courses for women (North Africa); school chaplaincy & counselling; small groups & individual tutoring in the English language for migrants and in the Asian Provinces of the Congregation.

• Health Care: Nursing; hospital chaplaincy; medical practice (UK); dispensaries (3rd world); counselling services; hospice care.
   

• Service to the Poor & Disadvantaged: Hostels & orphanages (3rd world); Local CARE facilities; V de P.
   

• Spirituality: Prayer guidance; spiritual direction; retreat work; retreat centre (Israel); tour/pilgrim guidance (Israel).
   

• Pastoral Work: Parish visitation of the sick, elderly, those in need; Eucharistic ministry; secretarial & administrative work.
   

Formation:

Formation is both initial and on-going. Initial Formation covers the stages: Pre postulate (length of time varies with each candidate), Postulate (one year), Novitiate (two years), Juniorate ( five years).
 

On-going Formation is intended to be of spiritual and practical assistance to each Sister in her mission. It aims to ensure that the Sisters have the necessary competence for the responsibilities and services entrusted to them.

At all stages, formation:

 

• considers the personality and history of each person,

• facilitates an education towards personal freedom,

• initiates each one into the process of spiritual discernment,

• endeavours to enable the move from an excessively subjective way of living, towards making a place for others in our lives,

• facilitates growth in maturity through renunciation, effort and being able to handle success and failure,

• creates an inner strength so that each member becomes a "Gospel witness", one "on fire", living in the present on the human, spiritual and ecclesial level.
   

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sr Bernadette Casey SJA
52 A Bradshaw Crescent
Manning W.A. 6152

Telephone 08 9450 1588
Facsimile 08 9313 2577

email: josapp@nw.com.au

SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF THE SACRED HEART rsj

The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, are a faith community of women, passionate about our share in God's Mission, engaged with the challenges of our reality and with the call to mission in our times.

The clarity of Mary MacKillop's vision impels us as Sisters to:

• Identify and walk with those who are today's poor

• Harness all our energies for mission

• Have a heart for mission to our last breath

Mission and Ministry:

We are about 830 Sisters living and ministering throughout Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Peru, East Timor, Scotland and Brazil. We were founded in Penola, South Australia in 1866 by an Australian woman Mary MacKillop, and an English priest Reverend Julian E Tenison Woods.

From the beginning we have lived among people, sharing daily life and responding to the needs of the day. Held in God's hospitable heart we draw strength to respond to places of violence, fear and insecurity in our world, the places of incompleteness and limitation in ourselves. 

As we walk as one with people and with trust in God's Providence we listen again and again for the cry of the poor and respond revealing the hospitable heart of our God. (Ref. 25th General Chapter).

At this time we have people walking with us and being affiliated in new ways. Learn about how you can 'Join The Melody'.

For more information on vowed membership within the Sisters of St Joseph as well as other ways of making a commitment within the Josephite charism, please contact Sister Katrina Brill (Katrina.brill@sosj.org.au)

Visit the website of the Sisters of St Joseph.

 

SISTERS OF ST PAUL OF CHARTRES - SPC

The Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres are an international congregation with its headquarters in Rome. In 1696 Fr. Chauvet, a parish priest of Levesville, France, invited three young girls, together with Marie Anne de Tilly, a gentlewoman from Allaines, to form a community to care for the sick and to comfort the lonely and the poor. A little school was started and the children began to learn and to develop a sense of their own dignity, despite the desperate poverty of the times. Levesville is not far from the great Cathedral of Chartres, and the bishop of Chartres took a keen interest in the little community.

Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, from the earliest days of their fledgling community, drew inspiration from the writings and spirit of St. Paul. They resolved to follow in his footsteps, eager to spread the Good News of Jesus. The congregation has no territorial preference and responds with fidelity to the call to serve, with a special love for the most neglected, anywhere in the world. Their major services include education, nursing, aged care and all kinds of pastoral work. In practical terms this has often meant working in leprosarium, prisons, and visiting remote poverty-stricken areas. The sisters will go wherever they are needed and do whatever is necessary, so that they can, like St. Paul, be “all things to all people”. In 1727, in response to the personal request of King Louis XV, the first four missionaries set out for French Guyana, in South America, to the notorious Devil’s Island. After the French Revolution, despite the suppression of the Church, Napoleon called on the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres to go back to French Guyana where the need was great. Now in the 21st century, the sisters serve 34 countries, ready to answer both spiritual and human needs, anywhere and any time. For example, one of the largest groups can be found in Vietnam, where over 1,000 sisters work in hospitals, orphanages and aged care facilities. The four Australians communities were founded from Hong Kong, and the sisters’ work in Australia includes an international high school, a retirement village, a student hostel and local parish ministry. True to its humble origins, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres aspires to live the poverty and simplicity of Christ’s Gospel in genuine charity and humility, daring to trust in God alone.

Mission and Ministry:

As Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, consecrated women with the daring spirit of St. Paul, we believe that we are called:
 

• to participate in Christ’s Paschal Mystery

• to follow a Christ-centred spirituality, nourished by the Eucharist, the Word of God, and personal and communal prayer

• to live a communal life, sharing our faith and supporting one another with loving concern

• to be a joyful and welcoming presence among people, giving hospitality and inviting them to a deeper love of God

• to live and work with the Spirit of St. Paul, ”all to all”, among the people of diverse culture, witnessing to Christ’s love through our words and actions

• to respond with tranquil daring and openness to the contemporary needs of evangelisation through our present apostolate of education, pastoral care, health and aged care

• to respond as best we can to the needs of the new millennium and to develop new ministries to meet these needs

Formation:

The journey of a vocation may vary according to the individual, but the different stages of progression are usually the same. The decision to follow in the footsteps of Christ comes from the heart, seized by the love of God. It is the answer to an inner calling.

1. A young woman firstly begins a regular relationship with a religious community. She tries to clarify her motives, her desires, her relationships and her fears as she considers the religious life. Several months are spent in a community with the sisters. This is called Postulancy, and during this time she is introduced to methods of prayer, an experience of communal life and what it calls for, and to some kind of service according to her ability. The Postulancy is a period of transition which enables her to discover in an experiential way what is the life of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres.
    
2. Next comes the period of Novitiate, which lasts for 2 years. Firstly, one full canonical year is spent in the novitiate, which will enable her to know, and to experience life lived in community. Here she will deepen her life in Christ by her personal and community prayer, meditation on the Holy Scripture, and in learning the spirituality and constitution of the sisters of St. Paul de Chartres. In the second year as a novice she is introduced to the congregation’s various works of service, while continuing her studies in the spiritual life.
    
3. After these two years, the Novice prepares to make her First Profession. She may renew these vows every year for a period of five years before her final commitment. During these years of temporary profession the young sister is supported and guided by her community of sisters and her spiritual director.
    
4. Then comes the time for her Final Profession, and the young sister, together with those, who have guided and accompanied her over the years, will discern whether she is ready for her Final Commitment. Every sister has time set aside for spiritual renewal, as it is an essential element in spiritual growth and in deepening one’s life in Christ.
   

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Teresa Lau spc
St Pauls Convent
28 Fedrick Street
BORONIA HEIGHTS Q 4124
Phone (07) 3800 6338
Email:srlau@bigpond.net.au

Sr Damian Lai spc
43 Austin Street
LANECOVE NSW 2066
Phone 61 (02) 9418 6329
Email:srdamian@spss.edu.hk

Sister Mary Joseph Sze spc
Sisters of St Paul de Chartres
3 Mitchell Street
MENTONE VIC 3194
Phone: (03) 9584 8974
Email:maryjosephspc@yahoo.com.au

Sister Angelina Fong spc
St Paul’s International College
Argyle Street
MOSS VALE
NSW 2577
Phone (02) 4868 2211
Email:srangelina@spic.nsw.edu.au

THE SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH - csfn

Mission and Charism:

"We, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, an international apostolic Congregation, believe that the Holy Family of Nazareth, three persons in communion with God and each other; obedient and faithful to the will of God, reveals to us the profound reality that God is present in the most simple and ordinary experiences of human life. This vision, which so captivated our Foundress Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (Frances Siedliska) is the source and inspiration for our life and service. Sharing in Jesus' mission of spreading the Kingdom of God's love, we engage in a variety of ministries with and in the Church. Mindful that it is an environment of love that persons come to fullness of life, we witness a family spirit among ourselves, and are dedicated to the moral and religious renewal of family life. We are committed to creating communities of love and hope, which celebrate the oneness of the human family." Taken from our Constitution - COVENANT OF LOVE.

God's love, as revealed on Earth by the Son of God who lived in the Holy Family of Nazareth, is our mission to which every Nazareth Sister is called. The love is to be modelled on a home in Nazareth, where everything was focused on Jesus and was expressed in mutual relationship. Therefore our mission is to spread the Kingdom of God first in ourselves and in our congregational communities, and then to promote it among others, particularly among families.

Today there are Sisters living and ministering in Australia, Belarus, England, France, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, the Ukraine and the United States, which includes Puerto Rico. The Community in Australia comprises Sisters from Australia, the Philippines, Poland and the United States… a relatively small group of Sisters from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and experiences, joining together to address the current needs of the Church in Australia.
Our ministry is very much in keeping with our charism and mission since it is directly focussed on the family. It appears that no matter where one finds oneself today families are faced with numerous challenges within society and within the Church. We undertake pastoral ministry in the school, Age Care, Child Care,  university and parish, provide hospitality to those in need and are involved in prayer ministry. Sisters remain involved in direct ministry to the broader Polish Catholic Community through service to those who worship at Our Lady of Czestochowa War Memorial Chapel, through pastoral ministry to the older members of the community and through education of children in their native language and culture during weekly classes at Polish language school. The Sisters are also committed to prayer for the needs of those who request prayer and to the unspoken needs of all families.

Formation:

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth nurture the vocation of women who enter formation through various stages.
Initial formation in our Congregation includes the stages of pre-novitiate (affiliacy and postulancy), novitiate and temporary profession. Temporary profession generally occurs for a period of five years and may be extended, but no longer than nine years. After the profession of final vows we continue to foster and nurture our commitment as religious women and as Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Vocation Information:

Vocation Director: Sr Margaret (Malgorzata Kozub)

PO Box 8142
116 -132 Quakers Road
Marayong NSW 2148

Phone (02) 9626 9200
Mobile 0420 754 727

eMail:  margaretcsfn@gmail.com

THE SOCIETY OF THE SACRED HEART - rscj

The Society of the Sacred Heart has been quietly connecting people internationally for two centuries through prayer, education, presence and friendship.
We are women who live in and among others at times in generosity, heroic struggle and courage, sometime in persecution, hunger, poverty, fear, sometimes in plenty, comfort and security. (International Education Commission of the Sacred Heart)

Founded in France in 1800 by St Madeleine Sophie Barat the Society spread rapidly around the world.  Today we are a group of some 3000 women in 43 countries and usually call ourselves Religious of the Sacred Heart (the original French gave us our initials: RSCJ).  We came to New Zealand in 1880 and Australia in 1882 and both countries now form one Province.  Our call, our charism is to discover and reveal God’s love, and to participate in the mission of the Church through the service of education. (Constitutions, #4, #7)  The call is to be contemplatives in action.

RSCJ embrace a spirit of contemplation, build community as members of an international Society, endeavour to be women of communion, compassion and reconciliation and have a passion for social justice and the integrity of creation.

Mission and Ministry:

We are sent by the Church to communicate the love of the Heart of Jesus. (Constitutions 1982, 10)  This calls us to respond to the most pressing needs of our world, and to educate others in this tradition within the Church. This is done in many ways and today in Australia and New Zealand we work in:

• Schools
• Nursing
• Social Work
• Social Justice ministries
• Spirituality ministries
• Art
• Administration

Formation: Steps to Becoming a Religious of the Sacred Heart

A woman who feels called to become a Religious of the Sacred Heart will make contact with the Director of Vocation Ministry, so that she and the Society can both get to know each other. She would meet with RSCJ and include some short experiences of community prayer and living so as to learn more about our lifestyle, way of life and our various ministries.

 A woman who decides to continue this journey by asking to join a community and share the life of the Sisters, if accepted, would continue her spiritual, personal and professional development. She would continue with her normal life, job, study, friends and independence. However she would be living in community with RSCJ and sharing our spirituality and lifestyle.
A time of more intense formation and deepening her relationship with God (Noviceship) follows this, usually for two years.  She continues to discern and is accompanied in this by an RSCJ.  At the end of this time she may ask to make her first vows of obedience, poverty and chastity and commit herself to the service of education.
The years of temporary profession which follow are a time of continuing spiritual and theological formation and undertaking a ministry.  During this time she takes her role as a full member of a community and continues to deepen her relationship with God and her sisters. Towards the end of this time she will discern whether to ask to make final profession as a Religious of the Sacred Heart.  This final commitment is preceded by some months of further intense formation in an international group of RSCJ and usually takes place in Rome.

The Society of the Sacred Heart is committed to ongoing formation which continues throughout life as each religious develops more and more into the person God is calling her to be.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If you are called to be on earth the heart of Jesus and show his love to the world…

If you are called to a life that is both contemplative and active….

If you desire to share your life with others who are passionate about justice, peace and the integrity of creation…

Contact us:

Diana Hayes RSCJ
Director of Vocation Ministry
Society of the Sacred Heart ANZ Province
Phone: 02 9660 7450
Mobile 0437 402 256
Email: dhayesrscj@gmail.com

Websites:
www.rscj-anz.org
www.rscjinternational.org

THE URSULINE SISTERS osu

On November 25, 1535, led by Angela Merici, a small group of 28 women gathered in the northern Italian city of Brescia. They attended Mass and then signed their names in the 'Book of the Company of St Ursula'. This simple ceremony was the beginning of what we now know as the Order of St Ursula, or more commonly, the Ursuline Sisters.

Little reliable information is available on the foundress Angela Merici. We know she was born about 1472 in Desenzano, northern Italy. It is believed that in her early adulthood, she experienced a deep sense of the clarity of God's will for her. Angela knew this as God, inviting her to bring together women, who would support and nourish each other in their prayer and faith, and then return to their homes and places of work to share and spread God's love for each invididual person. The remainder of her life was the unfolding of this early extraordinary encounter with God.

To support her in this faith journey, Angela became a Third Order Franciscan, teaching catechism and being willing to go wherever she was needed. In her 40's, Angela was sent to Brescia. Here, she soon merged into the life of the city, a woman of calm thought and quiet purpose, who, with a pleasant, outgoing personality, and a secure sense of personal worth, mingled freely and related simply and naturally with members of all classes. A prayerful woman, Angela quickly established a reputation as a prudent, wise and holy person. It was only natural that she should finally emerge as the recognised leader of a number of Brescian women who wished to be united to support one another in their commitment to God and to strengthen the charitable works in which they were engaged.

Angela did not found a religious order, nor did she found an education order, but rather, a group of companions - known more as 'the company of Anglela'. Angela had said: "And you do whatever has to be done". Consequently, their work was fairly varied. It did, amongst other things, involve caring for orphans and the sick, working in hospitals and teaching catechetics.

The members of Angela's Company lived in their own homes and dressed simply. They lived devout lives and, from their homes, exercised an active apostolate, giving religious and secular instruction, and involved themselves in other charitable works.

Angela died in 1540. Shortly after her death, the Company spread to Milan, then to France, and it was in Paris that the Order of St Ursula was established in 1612. Angela's original concept had changed. But her spirit lived on, and the order rapidly expanded throughout Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Today, Ursulines throughout the world love in the spirit of St Angela and respond to the needs of a changing world.

Mission and Ministry:

Australian Ursuline Sisters are engaged in the following broad fields of education and care:

• School Administration
• School and University Education
• Accommodation for tertiary students
• Centre for ecology and spirituality
• Work with marginalised people
• Prison chaplaincy
• Parish pastoral ministry
• Work with families
• Nursing

Formation:

A woman exploring a call to religious life as an Ursuline Sister journeys initially with one of our sisters who gives the enquirer the guidance needed to help discern her call.

Permeated with the spirit of Angela, the programme of formation aims to integrate the authentic values of our tradition with a continual adaptation to the specific needs of each person, the church and the world.

This begins with a period of 'postulancy' ('pre-novitiate') - varying between 6 months and two years. Postulancy is followed by a 2-year novitiate. This takes place within a community and is a focussed time of prayer, reflection, study of the Ursuline story and spirit, scripture and theology. During the first year of the novitiate ('canonical year'), the novice makes a 30-day retreat. This offers her an experience of prolonged prayer and discernment. She also joins with novices from other congregations twice weekly. This broadens the context of the formation programme, and provides the important dimension of peer interaction within the formation process. The 2nd year of the novitiate is more flexible, and continues the process begun in the 1st year.

Towards the end of this period, if the novice and those involved in her formation, agree to her admission, then she makes her profession of vows.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Sister Anne Cougle osu - Sydney

Sister Gay Williams  - Brisbane

email:    contact@australianursulines.org.au