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

European colonists first settled in Adelaide in 1836. Unlike other European settlements in Australia, South Australia began as an experimentation in free settlement. The original settlers were mainly non-conformists and Anglicans. Catholics were few. Before the arrival of the first priest in 1842, Mr and Mrs John Phillips, storekeepers, took a lead in bringing together the local Catholics for prayer and instruction. In 1844, Francis Murphy, an Irish priest who had served for some years in Sydney, was appointed as the first bishop of the struggling colony.The first Catholic Church was opened at Morphett Vale, an agricultural settlement 25 kms south of Adelaide on 4th January 1846. It was in this Church that the excommunication of Blessed Mary MacKillop was officially lifted in 1874. The founding of the Josephite Sisters in Penola in 1866, and the later excommunication of Mary MacKillop by Bishop Sheils, to be followed by a renewed flourishing of this Order dedicated to education of the poor, is an integral part of the South Australian story.Archbishop Philip Wilson, who was consecrated Archbishop of Adelaide on Monday, December 3, 2001, is the current and tenth successor of Bishop Murphy. The Archdiocese of Adelaide stretches from Clare-Sevenhill in the north (the original Jesuit foundation in Australia) to Mount Gambier in the southeast corner of the state. There are approximately 65 diocesan priests, 65 religious priests and 150 men and women religious currently serving the Catholic people of the Archdiocese.

The number of Catholic schools, primary and secondary, is 91. There are numerous organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Women’s League, Young Christian Workers and Students, Catholic Education Office, Catholic Communications, Catholic Adult Education Services, Catholic Missions, Centacare and Pastoral Planning.

Archbishop Matthew Beovich attended the sessions of the Second Vatican Council and embraced its vision for the Archdiocese. The Diocesan Pastoral Council and Parish Pastoral Councils were set up to express the renewed vision of the Church as the people of God, and the vital role of the laity. Archbishop James Gleeson continued this direction and actively encouraged the laity, especially in the role as witnesses in the world. Archbishop Leonard Faulkner added to this vision by setting up the Archdiocese as being a ‘Community for the World’. He then promoted the vision of Basic Ecclesial Communities, now referred to as Parish Neighbourhood Church communities. The aim was to establish smaller geographical communities within the existing parish communities. In this way, Catholics are able to be members of more intimate pastoral communities in their own neighbourhood. With Archbishop Wilson the vision for our Archdiocese is that in all areas of pastoral activity we become a “family centred church”.
 

Mission and Ministry:

In 1942, Archbishop Matthew Beovich established St Francis Xavier Regional Seminary under the auspices of the South Australian Bishops. The first to be ordained from the new seminary on January 1st, 1950 was Father Leonard Faulkner, who would later become Archbishop of Adelaide. Since that time there have been many priests who have done all or part of their studies at St Francis Xavier.In 1998 the site of the seminary was transferred from Rostrevor to Morphettville. Here, the smaller number of students from the Adelaide, Port Pirie and Darwin Dioceses lived in home unit-style accommodation. The students studied theology at the Adelaide College of Divinity at Brooklyn Park whilst also attending courses at Flinders University. As of the beginning of 2002 the Adelaide Archdiocese began to send its students to the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush in Sydney. Currently students attend Corpus Christi College in Melbourne for their seminary formation.The Adelaide Archdiocese has always had a reputation for the sense of solidarity amongst its priests. Through Priests’ Assemblies, retreats and social events, the priests sustain a sense of supporting each other in the mission of the Kingdom. The priests of the South-East maintain the tradition of gathering together on Mondays for golf and a meal. Several priests are involved in Fraternity Groups, meeting monthly for prayer, review of life and a meal. Ordination as a priest means joining a brotherhood of service in the Archdiocese.

The current Archbishop is Most Reverend Philip Wison DD JCL and his Assistant Bishop is Most Reverend Gregory O'Kelly SJ AM DD VG. Monsignor David Cappo VG is the Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia. Ms Jane Swift and Ms Cathy Whewell are Chancellors. Director of Strategic Pastoral Planning and Ministry Formation is Fr Paul Cashen MSC.

Formation:

When someone is interested in the priesthood, he makes contact with the Vocations Director either directly or through his parish priest. After a suitable time of discernment, prayer and preparation, a formal application can be made to commence studying at the seminary. Whilst the usual period of formation is seven years, this may be adapted according to the age and experience of the candidate. The seminary course is designed not only to be academic, but also the foster human growth and maturity, spiritual development and pastoral expertise. During seminary formation the student spend a full semester working in a parish and this provides first hand practical experience.The diocesan priesthood is an enormous challenge in today’s world, but is one way of really making a difference to the lives of people. Whilst we choose it, is is more precise to say that God chooses us. “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Catholic Vocations Centre
112 Kintore St
Thebarton SA 5031
Telephone: 08) 8301 6868
Facsimile: (08) 8223 3880
Email: vocations@adelaide.catholic.org.au

Vocations Director
Fr. Dean Marin
Telephone: (08) 8210 8244
Email: drfmarin@internode.on.net

Vocations Associate
Tony Telford-Sharp
Telephone: (08) 8301 6868
Email: vocations@adelaide.catholic.org.au
 

Webpage: http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/vocations

The Archdiocese of Brisbane:

The Diocese of Brisbane was established in April 1859, shortly before Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony from New South Wales. In 1887 it was raised to the dignity of an Archdiocese and its Archbishop is the Metropolitan for the Province of Queensland. Archbishop John Bathersby is the fifth Archbishop and the sixth person to occupy the See of Brisbane. Two Auxiliary Bishops, Bishops Brian Finnegan and Joseph Oudeman OFMCap assist the Archbishop. The Cathedral, dedicated to St Stephen, the pro-martyr of the Church, is found in the central business district of Brisbane.

The Archdiocese of Brisbane is situated in south-east Queensland and has a Catholic population of over 6000,000 people. The Archdiocese comprises 103 Parishes and is served by 115 Diocesan Priests,14 Religious Order parishes, 3 Eastern Rite Priests, 5 permanent Deacons, 152 Religious Brothers and 810 Religious Sisters. Within the Archdiocese are 103 Primary Schools and 47 Secondary Colleges, One Seminary, One Catholic University Campus, Two University Colleges, Seven Hospitals, Twenty-Six Hostels and Seventeen Nursing Homes, as well as many agencies and organisations responsible for education, faith development, pastoral visitation, family services, social welfare and charitable works.

Mission and Ministry:

Clergy of the Archdiocese are involved in a variety of pastoral, educational and liturgical ministries. They are also involved with hospital, indigenous people, migrant, prison, school and university chaplaincy; aged care; administration; crisis counselling; psychiatric support; psychotherapy; social justice and youth advocacy.

The Archdiocese has programs in place for the on-going Academic and Spiritual formation of Clergy and provides for periodical sabbatical leave and long-service leave. Senior Clergy are provided for with medical attention, private accommodation and nursing care (when necessary).

Formation:

Anyone interested in the Ministerial Priesthood initially makes contact with the Director of Vocations before entering into a more formal process of discernment with the Vocations Director. Following this period of discernment, spiritual direction and some pastoral involvement a psychological assessment is undertaken and an application is made for entry into the Holy Spirit Seminary. Perspective students need to be formally accepted by the Archbishop prior to entering the Seminary.

All candidates for the Diocesan Priesthood in Queensland study at Holy Spirit Seminary of Queensland. The students undertake their academic, pastoral, spiritual and human formation at St Paul's Theological College, Australian Catholic University, and within the Seminary itself.

The Archiocese of Brisbane is fortunate to have a House of Discernement called Canali House.  Canali House was named after a saintly diocesan priest in Brisbane in the early 1900s. The House is a live program for 6-12 months where young men live with a priest and 'Test their Call' while continuing to work, study and go about their normal lives.  The House also has an external discernment program called CONSILIUM which runs the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month where men seeking to discern their call can gather for teaching and reflection.  Formal formation for the priesthood begins when a student begins to reside at Holy Spirit Seminary. The day begins with The Prayer of the Church, meditation and Mass.  The formation program forms the new students as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  The entry phase, the Foundation Year (Propaedeutic Year) assists the student to live the life of prayer and be formed in the spirituality of the priesthood.  The year includes a retreat and mission exposure.

The next phase of formation enables the student to be immersed in the theological tradition of the Catholic Church.  The studies are desinged to assist each candidate to develop intellectually, pastorally, socially and spiritually.  At the end of each year, the students returns to his diocese and spends time in a parish as the parish prepares for Advent and Christmas.

When the student has completed the studies required by the Bishops of Queensland, the student undertakes a pastoral year of formation back in his own diocese. He lives and learns in a Presbytery, undertaking supervised pastoral responsibilities. During this time each candidate has opportunities to experience parish life, gaining new insights in the Ministerial Priesthood and thus putting in place the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary for the ordained ministry.

Finally, the candidate applies for Ordination as a transitory Deacon and those in authority together with the Candidate assess his readiness. Ordination as a Deacon is culmination of the many years spent in formation. The newly ordained Deacon is appointed to a Parish where he assists the Pastor in pastoral duties and prepares for ordination as a Priest.
.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CANBERRA /GOULBURN

In 1862 the Holy See erected the Diocese of Goulburn with territory formerly belonging to Sydney in the south of the then British Colony of NSW. On
February 4, 1948 the Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese with the name of "Canberra and Goulburn". The Archdiocese encompasses three distinct geographical areas: part of the southern sea coast of NSW, the Snowy Mountains region and a section of the western plain country around West Wyalong and Lake Cargelligo. Archbishop Mark Coleridge is now the Ordinary and is assisted by Bishop Pat Power, a native of the Diocese.

Mission and Ministry:

Priests and deacons serve in various areas of ministry. At present there are approximately 60 priests incardinated into the Archdiocese with a number of religious personnel and chaplains to migrant groups. Many of the priests serve as Parish Priests both in Canberra itself and in NSW towns as well. There is a Director of Ongoing Education for priests and provision is made for retired priests. Canberra provides opportunities for specialised training at university level.

Formation:

At present candidates for priestly ministry in this Archdiocese complete their seminary training at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush NSW. Initial contact would normally be made through the Vocations Director. Candidates interested in the permanent diaconate may contact the Vocations Director or Fr Warrick Tonkin. For both priesthood and diaconate a permanent commitment is required and this will follow after several years of careful discernment and formation.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Contact for Priesthood:

Fr Emil Milat:

Phone: (02) 4474 2024

Email: emil.milat@cg.catholic.org.au

Contact for Permanent Dioconate:

Fr Warrick Tonkin

Email: warrick.tonkin@cg.catholic.org.au

Each year vocations weekends are held in May & November. 

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF HOBART

The Archdiocese of Hobart consists of the State of Tasmania including in its territory the island groups to the north and south of the ‘mainland’ island. Tasmania, originally called Van Diemens’ Land, was established primarily as a penal settlement on 20 February 1804 with the first settlement called Hobart Town in the South. A second settlement was established on the 11 November 1804 at Port Dalrymple (Launceston) in the North as a military outpost. The settlements were quite separate and until 1812 were governed from New South Wales. Developing settlements was a difficult task given the enormity of isolation and the ruggedness of the terrain. Today Tasmania is a thriving community, with her primary industries being agriculture, mining and tourism. The people are friendly and welcoming. A major issue for the State is the high rate of unemployment and the numbers of young people being forced to other parts of the country seeking work. In the early days the State was under the pastoral direction of the Church of England and the majority of the population, even to the present day, belongs to the Anglican Church of Australia. The Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart was inaugurated in 1842 with the appointment of the first Bishop, Robert Wilson.

Archbishop Adrian Doyle, the first Tasmanian to be consecrated a Bishop, was installed as the tenth Bishop of Hobart on the 26 August 1999. He leads a Catholic population of some 90,000 people. In recent years, the Archdiocese has been working towards greater collaboration between parishes and agencies at all levels of Church life. Hence, many parishes have come together, pooling resources, forming ministry teams and enabling greater effectiveness in the building of community and the preaching of the Gospel.

There are now 24 parishes in the Archdiocese. We also have 37 Catholic schools providing primary and secondary education, 8 Catholic nursing homes which provide quality care for the aged, 2 Catholic hospitals and a number of other organisations offering services in such areas as adult faith formation and education, welfare, migrant and refugee support, youth outreach, disability services and spirituality. The Church is also present in State prisons, hospitals and schools through the work of chaplains to these institutions. St Mary’s Cathedral, the heart of the Archdiocese, is located in Hobart.

Mission and Ministry:

The Archdiocese has 21 Diocesan Priests in active ministry working in a wide variety of areas and ministries. These ministries include the Pastoral care of Parishes, Chaplaincy to schools, multicultural groups, hospitals and Prisons, and Adult education and formation. Some are directly involved in Centacare, offering family support and counselling. Many of our Priests are trained Spiritual Directors. All are involved in the sacramental life of the Church, celebrating Mass, Reconciliation, Baptism and Confirmation. Our Priests lead liturgical celebrations and prayer services, witness Marriages and celebrate Funerals. Our Ministries are about faith and God’s people. The Diocesan Priest lives generally alone but builds community with the people he is sent to serve. The diocese encourages the further education of her Priests and offers ongoing support to those in retirement.

Formation:

The road to the priesthood makes an interesting journey for those called. A person interested in this life would usually make contact with the Vocation Director either directly or via his Parish Priest or Parish administrator. After a period of discussion or discernment if he then wishes a formal application is made for entry into the seminary, to begin the necessary training for the priesthood.

The Archdiocese of Hobart is part of the governing body that operates a Seminary called Corpus Christi College, located in Melbourne, Victoria. The Archdiocese has had a long association with this seminary and many of her Priests have been formed there. The Seminary training takes a number of years depending on the experience and background of each applicant. Usually however, the length of training is seven years, during which a person entering would undertake studies designed to help him develop academically, spiritually, emotionally and pastorally. The seminary life is broken into a number of Pastoral placements including one full year living in a Parish here in the Archdiocese. The pastoral placement allows a person time to experience and to develop the pastoral skills necessary to the Diocesan Priesthood. The years of study allow time for reflection and discernment to ensure that those seeking ordination are able to make an informed commitment to the life and for life. These years also allow the Archdiocese an opportunity to discern whether those seeking ordination are suited to the Tasmanian Church.

After ordination the newly ordained Priest returns to the Archdiocese to begin life as a Priest amongst the people that God has called him to serve.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Brian Nichols
Vocations Director
Cathedral Parish
99 Barrack Street
HOBART 7000
Ph: 03 6234 4463
Fax: 03 6234 4737

Email: tasvoc@yahoo.com.au

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY

The Archdiocese of Sydney was established in 1842 with Bede Polding its Bishop. It included the whole of the eastern Australian mainland. As population increased other dioceses were formed.

Over 580,000 Catholics live in 137 parishes within the Archdiocese. The People of God are served by the Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell; his three Auxiliary Bishops – Julian Porteous (also the Rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary), Anthony Fisher and Terry Brady; 204 Diocesan Priests, 265 Religious Priests, 5 Permanent Deacons, 1,300 Religious Sisters and 255 Religious Brothers. The Cathedral Church (St Mary’s) is named after Our Lady Help of Christians, who is the Patroness of Australia. There are numerous educational institutes, health and aged care facilities, welfare services and migrant services provided for the faith development and physical care of the people of Sydney. Visit the website of the Archdiocese of Sydney  for further information.

Mission and Ministry:

Nourished daily by meditation on the Word of God and the celebration of the Eucharist the Diocesan Clergy minister to the People of God. All exercise their ministry through the commission received from the Archbishop.

The Archbishop appoints priests to parishes or other ministries. Wherever he finds himself, the priest is called to be a leader and has responsibilities towards that community liturgically, pastorally, materially and spiritually. He is called to be a man who deepens his relationship with God and God’s People through regular prayer, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. He celebrates important Sacramental moments in the lives of the people he serves - Baptism, Marriage, Forgiveness and Healing in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. A Priest may also serve as a Chaplain to:- a school or hospital, migrant communities, communities with disabilities (deaf or blind), prisoners, seafarers or the personnel of the Defence Forces. Some priests work in developing countries as missionaries.

The Archbishop, assisted by his Auxiliary Bishops, serve the people of the Archdiocese as its Shepherd. His ministry serves the building up of unity or communion within the Archdiocese and with all other local churches (Dioceses) in the world. His visits to parishes highlight the mystery of our communion with each other and the Universal Church. His role in completing the initiation of the baptised through the celebration of Confirmation reminds us of our common share in the Mission of Christ to bring the Gospel to our local communities.

Formation:

Men who are considering a call to the Priesthood make contact with the Diocesan Director of Vocations. At an appropriate time a period of discernment is begun when the man seeks to listen to the Spirit of God leading him towards a life of service as an ordained minister. This process may lead to a decision to apply to the Archbishop to be accepted as a student for the Archdiocese.

The formation program utilizes the resources of the Archdiocesan Seminary of the Good Shepherd at Homebush, the Archdiocesan Theological Faculty (Catholic Institute of Sydney, Strathfield) and pastoral placements in parishes or agencies serving the spiritual and material needs of God’s people.

On completion of initial formation, a student is ordained for a life long commitment to ministry within the Archdiocese. Based on the instructions from John Paul II, formation continues throughout the life of the ordained deacon or priest in the areas already mentioned – human, spiritual, theological and pastoral. In-service programs, further academic studies, peer support and spiritual direction are some ways in which this ongoing formation occurs.

View information about Vocations and the Seminary of the Good Shepherd from the Archdiocese of Sydney website. 

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Vocation Centre
Level 11, Polding Centre
133 Liverpool St
Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: 02 9390 5280
Facsimile: 02 9390 5288
eMail: vocations@sydneycatholic.org

THE ORDER OF ST AUGUSTINE osa

As Augustinians, our roots go back to St Augustine of Hippo, who lived from the year 354 until 430 in the Roman Empire. He was a man of great passion and intellect. It was natural for him to want to live his faith with real conviction and with a group of friends. So he established communities, based on his Rule of life, that were to live the Gospel and work in ministry.

After his death, his way of life continued through those who followed his Rule. Then in 1256, Pope Alexander IV saw value in drawing these different groups together into a new religious brotherhood in the Church, the Order of Saint Augustine. Today, we live on with some 3000 Augustinian brothers and priests in 40 countries. As Augustine’s Rule states, the principal reason for our coming together is that we "might live together in harmony, intent upon God, united in mind and heart".

As a group, we, Australian Augustinians, reaffirmed our charism as being called to continue the mission of Jesus, in the footsteps of St Augustine, by

• loving God in and through community;

• developing interiority and prayerfulness;

• manifesting the kindness, the gentleness, the humility and the friendship of Jesus in all our relationships;

• proclaiming for our times the Good News of God’s kingdom.

Our spirituality is based on our common search for God, highlighting the interconnectedness between God, self and others. This approach calls one to spend time in prayer, service and friendship.

Mission and Ministry:

We were not founded for any specific mission but to respond to the needs of the Church. So where do you find us in our work? There are those of us who:

• work in parishes, schools, hospitals and universities.

• work in chaplaincies to people living with AIDS and to Indigenous Australians.

• work in the areas of adult education, spiritual growth and direction.

• work overseas in the foreign missions, with three of our men presently working in South Korea to establish the Order there.
   

The point is that our areas of mission are not strictly confined to specific works and whatever we do is not as important as who we are. This is reflected in our Mission Statement where we state that "We share in the mission of Jesus by witnessing through community living to the primacy of love, both of God and neighbour:

• by living simple and prayerful lives;

• by responding to the needs of contemporary society;

• by confronting injustice, both individual and institutional;

• by promoting authentic Christian community.
   

Formation:

Within the Augustinians, formation is aimed at enhancing the individual’s overall development as a person and as a Christian. Our formation program gives the opportunity for an education and pastoral training that skills one for ministry in today’s world and Church, as a priest or brother. It aims to enable the person to make responsible decisions for his future.

While being adaptable to individual needs, the program is also structured, beginning with the person’s initial enquiry and moving on through a period of accompanied discernment and of coming to know self and the Order better. During this time, one has an Augustinian assigned as his companion and will take in a time of living in an Augustinian community.

If it is so discerned by both the applicant and the Order, one becomes a candidate for the Order and moves into the formal formation program, which follows the stages of
 

• Pre-novitiate which is a time of initial formation and preparation for novitiate.

• Novitiate which lasts a year and is run in Racine, Wisconsin where there is a combined novitiate for the English-speaking provinces of the Order.

• Augustinian Profession which is taken on a temporary basis for a minimum of three years after which one may make a life commitment to live and serve as an Augustinian.

• Preparation for Ministry which follows on from novitiate as a time for pursuing studies to equip one for ministry. 
   

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For more information about the Augustinians, please contact:

Fr Tony Banks OSA
Augustinian Vocations Director
PO Box 679
Brookvale NSW 2100

Telephone: 02 9938 0200
Facsimile: 02 9938 4465
Email: tonybanks@augustinians.org.au

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

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT CONGREGATION - sss 

MEMBERSHIP
We are an apostolic group of priests, deacons and brothers whose mission is to assist the Church in its efforts to form Christian communities and who centre their life on the Eucharist. We commit ourselves to the implementation of this mission in collaboration with lay men and women engaged in Christian ministries.
We seek to live a life of community where all are accepted by making public profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience according to our Rule of Life.

FOUNDER
We were founded on 13 May 1856 in Paris, by Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868) who was canonized by Pope Blessed John XXIII at the Second Vatican Council in 1962. Ask about the Melbourne miracle. St Peter Julian was placed on the universal calendar of the Church in 1996 and his feast day is observed on 2 August.

HISTORY
Since our foundation in 1856 our priests, deacons, and brothers, together with our Sister Congregation of religious women, have reached all continents of the globe and continue the mission begun by St. Eymard, the Apostle of the Eucharist.
Like St. Peter Julian, Blessed Sacrament Religious want the Mystery of the Eucharist to be loved and lived in its fullness. We believe that Christ in the Eucharist has the power to effect a radical transformation in our society and in all people. The power of the Eucharist motivates and strengthens all to work for the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.
The Congregation now has just over 900 religious around the world with two archbishops and six bishops in mainly Third World countries. Our Australian foundation dates from 1929 at St Francis Church, Melbourne.

CHARISM
Our Charism is based on the Eucharistic life of St Peter Julian - Founder: “Stay with us, Lord, for it is almost evening”. We seek to live the Eucharist not only as celebration, but also as a way of life. Blessed Sacrament Religious share a common mission: to allow the mystery of the Eucharist to take hold of our lives so completely that we live this mystery fully and proclaim its meaning through many diverse ministries.
We proclaim the reality of God’s love in the Eucharist by our “gift of self” to Him and to our brothers and sisters. By prayer in the presence of the abiding sacrament and through an active apostolic life.
Our Eucharistic evangelizing includes celebrating the sacraments, writing, teaching, preaching, counselling, and working for justice. We promote the Second Vatican Council’s call for an ever deeper understanding of a contemporary Eucharistic Spirituality, and promote other liturgical and devotional materials related to the Eucharist. We minister to priests and religious, and we collaborate with committed laity to share a common call to live fully the Eucharistic life.
We promote a parish based catechetical program of Eucharistic Evangelization called Life in the Eucharist (LITE). LITE is a worldwide movement comprised of laity, religious, and clergy who commit themselves to empowering Catholics to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the Eucharistic Mystery. Lay teams, in collaboration with - Religious of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, - other religious, - and diocesan clergy, promote and facilitate the LITE Seminar.
The Eucharist as sacrament of unity sees us active in the ecumenical movement. We bring the Eucharistic Lord to the sick in hospital and to those house-bound. Our communities seek to become - places of proclamation - places of prayer, and festive celebration, - places of sharing and fellowship, - places of freedom and human development and - oases of peace and reconciliation in the midst of busy city-centres.

 

Mission and Ministry:

We focus on Eucharistic mission which takes many forms:

• celebration of the Eucharist
   

• prayer and contemplation
   

• ministry of preaching the Word of God
   

• ministry of reconciliation
   

• liturgical education and formation
   

• chaplaincies to lay groups and tertiary students
   

• pastoral counselling
   

• spiritual direction

Formation:

Candidates are introduced by stages into the Congregation, under the guidance of a director. In the beginning they live outside our communities. Later on they become postulants and share the life of one or more of our communities.

The pre-novitiate consists of two phases: aspirancy and postulancy.

Aspirancy is a time of preliminary enquiry. The aspirant dialogues with the Director of Initial Formation. There is occasional participation in community activities such as prayer services and meals, engagement in some ministry and guided reading. The person continues to live at home and work as usual and maintain financial independence.

Postulancy is preparation for entry into the novitiate by helping the potential member discern his call to our particular way of life. Mature age candidates are welcome. The postulant ordinarily takes up residency in one of our communities whilst maintaining his existing employment, studies or professional activities. Postulancy is normally not less than six months and no more than two years.

The aim of SSS formation is to lead persons who feel called by God to live the mystery of the Eucharist fully and to make its meaning known. The goal of the formation process is to help an individual discern the call of God in his life, identify the gifts the Lord has given him, and mature and develop these gifts in order that he may offer his life unreservedly for the sake of the Kingdom, in brotherhood and apostolic service within the Congregation.

Initial formation is effected in three stages: the first emphasizes the personal discovery of Christ; the second focuses on vocation, on initiation into religious life especially as it is lived in our Congregation; the third aims at integrating religious life, studies and apostolic experience into a unified whole.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Director: Fr Patrick Negri SSS

Blessed Sacrament Provincial Officer
PO Box 229,
KEW EAST VIC 3120

Email PNegri@blessedsacrament.com.au
Phone: (03) 9859 0888
 

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

Cappuchin Franciscan Friars - ofm

By the sixteenth century the Friars Minor had grown into a large, complex institution. Friars seeking a simpler lifestyle were gradually formed into a distinct branch of the Order known as the Capuchins. Many of the first Capuchins were attracted to contemplative prayer in hermitages, which they combined with travelling preaching.
At present about 12,000 Capuchins live and work in every part of the world. One third of us live and work in underdeveloped countries. In the Southeast Asia-Pacific region, to which Australia belongs, there are more than 500 Capuchin friars. The Order is a community of brothers, who strive to live the Gospel, following the Rule of St. Francis, in a spirit of simple brotherhood and service, taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and living in community.

Mission and Ministry:

Initially the Capuchins were asked to come to Australia following the Second World War to work among the post-war European migrants.

Today the Capuchins live in fraternities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our primary ministry is to live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and this is lived out through a variety of ministries including the pastoral care of several parishes, the National Shrine to St Anthony in Victoria, chaplaincy, migrant work, youth and various other ministries, including service to the poor. In living the Gospel fraternal life, we love the Church and seek to work in harmony with the local Church and help meet its needs. While the talents of the individual are respected as gifts of God, a high priority is placed upon fraternity in prayer, in work and in daily living.

Pope John Paul II described the life and activity of the Capuchins as: "A truly brotherly life based on simplicity and evangelical charity, open to the meaning of the universal brotherhood of all people and indeed of all creatures... a most eloquent witness... to a society such as ours which is so strongly marked by inequality and by a spirit of wanting to prevail over others." (July 5, 1982)

Formation:

The goal of formation is to have friars who are first and foremost committed to Capuchin Franciscan values: fraternity, contemplation, service, and poverty. So that, whatever ministry they may find themselves doing, they will bring a Capuchin Franciscan spirituality to bear in it.

The first five years of formation are identical for all candidates:

1st Year: Postulancy - a time for the candidate to share more intensely our life of prayer, fraternity and ministry.

2nd Year: Novitiate - a time of deeper study of Capuchin Franciscan spirituality, a deeper experience of the contemplative life and preparation for commitment to our Order through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

3rd - 5th Year: Post-Novitiate - the young friar is guided through the relevant studies to complete his initial Capuchin formation, as well as participating in various ministries of the Order. At the end of this period there is also the possibility of making a final (life) commitment to the Order.

6th - 10th Year: if the friar desires to be ordained to the priesthood then studies for the priesthood begin. Friars who do not desire priesthood but may desire theological (or other) studies for particular ministries begin them at this stage.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Robert Stewart OFM Cap
National Vocations Director
P.O. Box 1061
LEICHHARDT NSW 2040

Telephone: 02 9518 0868

Mobile: 0411 034 147

Emailvocations@capuchinfriars.org.au

The Discalced Carmelite Friars

The founder or founders of the Carmelites are unknown. They began at the end of the 12th C. on Mount Carmel in northern Palestine, modern day Israel, when a group of men gathered together to live a life of solitude and prayer. From their beginnings they drew inspiration from and were devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prophet Elijah. With the expulsion of the Crusaders in the 13th C, the Friars (Brothers) moved back to Europe and flourished there. The nuns founded in the mid 15th C. were reformed by St. Teresa of Avila in 1562 and shortly afterwards in 1567 she initiated a reform of the Friars with the help of St. John of the Cross which eventually gave rise to what we know today as the Discalced Carmelite Friars. We number about 4000 men worldwide and we strive to give primacy to the cultivation of a life of prayer and solitude while also being involved in a multiplicity of apostolates. We have three communities in Australia, two in Sydney and one in Perth.

Mission and Ministry:

The fruitfulness of our ministry springs from our prayer; our most characteristic apostolate is to assist people to develop their Christian life through spiritual direction and teaching about prayer. This work is the main work of our community at our Retreat Centre situated on a beautiful 200 hectare property about 60km south west of Sydney but is also carried on by friars resident in the other communities. In this we draw on our rich Carmelite heritage and especially on the teachings of Sts. Teresa, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux and other Carmelite authors. Our other main apostolates are our pastoral care for our sisters, the Carmelite nuns, for the Secular Carmelites (OCDS), lay people who are members of the Order and for the three parishes in which we minister.

Formation:

After initial contact with those involved in promoting vocations the inquirer may be asked to live in one of our houses for a period of a year or more to discern if he is called to be a member of the Order; this is referred to as Postulancy. If one is accepted he then enters into formation proper by receiving the habit of the Order and thus beginning a year in which he is initiated into the way of life of the Order in an intensive way.  This is called Noviciate and it usually takes one year; it is characterised by an emphasis on solitude and prayer. Following the noviciate the candidate makes his First Profession, that is, he makes a commitment to the Order. He now begins the studies which will prepare him mainly for his future apostolic life. However he continues his specifically Carmelite formation by his living the life of the Order in community and by his continued study of the Carmelite heritage, all of which prepare him for his definitive commitment which normally follows after five years. Those who are called to the priesthood would, because of an added year of pastoral formation, would normally be ordained after 6 years.

THE CARMELITES OCarm
 

A Contemplative Community in the Midst of the People.

We are the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. The first Carmelites were hermits on Mt Carmel a little more than 800 years ago, living near the Spring of Elijah, the Old Testament prophet. The chapel, which stood in the midst of their cells, was dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Unlike most religious orders, we do not have a founder. The Carmelites have continually looked to Elijah and Mary for inspiration. Throughout our history, these key figures have helped Carmelites to clarify our identity and renew our spirit. They provide a wonderful integration of the two streams of the Carmelite tradition – contemplative and active: prayerful and prophetic: reflective and apostolic.

Shortly after our foundation, the Order spread rapidly throughout Europe. The early Carmelites decided to change their lifestyle to that of Friars. The distinguishing aspect of friars is to serve the needs of the people, living in the midst of the people.

We are unique individuals but we share a common heritage. We seek the face of God together and we find God in and through one another. Community is an important element of our journey to God.

The first task of a Carmelite is to enter more deeply into relationship with Jesus. This is done through personal prayer and by living a community life where friendship with God finds meaning in a life shared with others. Prayer, which is intimacy with God, is the ideal of the Carmelites.

The Carmelite Order is international. We are well established in Europe, Asia, North and South America. In Africa we are also well established in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have recently established ourselves in Trinidad and Mozambique and we hope to make foundations also in Kenya, Tanzania and Burkina Faso and Vietnam.

Mission and Ministry:

Prayer is at the core of the Carmelite spirit. To grow in friendship with God, to experience God’s love, to ponder the mystery and wonder of life, to search for meaning and to seek the face of the living God as prayerful communities in the midst of the people is the heart of the contemplative dimension of Carmelite life.

As friars we are available for the work of the Church and attempt to respond to the changing needs of the people. At present, Carmelites work in:

• Spirituality ministry

• parishes

• education – secondary and adult

• spiritual direction

• retreat programs

• chaplains in hospitals and schools, in young adult ministry, and

• formation.

Depending on the need, Carmelites will respond. The work is varied and interesting but it flows from the deep conviction that God is alive! God is present! God is with us! – this is the source of all our ministry in the Church.

Formation:

Carmelite formation embraces the whole of life with its special emphasis on living in the presence of God and on fraternal relationships and on service and solidarity with all people.

Carmelite formation is a journey of conversion – a never-ending journey of growth which continues throughout the whole of life as the way of following Christ.

Formation begins with an initial time of discernment as the candidate is accompanied prior to making application to enter the Order. Novitiate is the first stage of formation whereby the novice experiences our life concretely and interiorises its values. The primary aim of the novitiate is to initiate the novices into the Carmelite charism culminating in the simple profession of vows.

The period that follows is a time in which candidates intensify and deepen their following of Jesus Christ in the Order and the Church. They prepare themselves for solemn profession of the vows by completing a Bachelor of Theology, engaging in the various ministries of the province, living, for a time, in other communities. Following solemn profession, a period of final preparation for ministry is undertaken, especially for those preparing for priestly ministry.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If you would like more information about the Carmelites please contact:

Fr Wayne Stanhope OCarm
75 Wright Street
MIDDLE PARK 3206

Telephone: 03 9699 1922
Facsimile: 03 9699 1944

Email:prov.aus@carmelnet.org

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS - cfc

The Christian Brothers are an international congregation of consecrated brothers within the Edmund Rice Family. Founded in 1802 by Blessed Edmund Rice in Waterford, Ireland, the Congregation has grown to a group of about 1900 brothers in 29 countries. Today Blessed Edmund's mission for the evangelisation of youth within the mission of the Church is greater than the Christian Brothers. The Edmund Rice Family includes not only the brothers but thousands of co-workers in educational and other ministries together with youth leaders in the Edmund Rice Camp movement.

The Congregation Chapter of 1996, building on the spirit and tradition of the past, has articulated Christian Brother spirit and direction for the new millennium:

• We as a Congregation pledge ourselves to internationality.
   
• We call all brothers to move to ministry with people at the margins.
   
• We as brothers acknowledge and share our brokenness and fragility and claim the growth that God's healing brings to us.
   
• We as brothers acclaim the Edmund Rice Family as a gift for the Church and the world, and work in partnership with all authentic expressions of Edmund's charism.

Mission and Ministry:

In Australia the Christian Brothers live and work in four provinces: Holy Spirit Province, SA & WA, St Francis Xavier's Province, Qld & NT, St Mary's Province, NSW & ACT, and St Patrick's Province, Vic & Tas. These provinces have their beginnings in 1868 when Bro Ambrose Treacy arrived from Ireland with three companions to start a school in Melbourne.

While still associated with schools and colleges throughout Australia, the brothers together with other members of the Edmund Rice Family are also involved in various other expressions of educational ministry including:

• special educational centres for youth who may not be catered for in mainstream education;
• initiatives with youth "at risk"
• working with Aboriginal people in education, advocacy and practical community support;
• supporting migrant and refugee communities in educational programmes and re-settlement;
• involvement in establishing and maintaining educational facilities in various nations in Africa and in the Pacific;
• the workings of the Edmund Rice Camps which provide holiday and recreational opportunities for young people who may be experiencing special personal or family needs;
• tertiary education and adult faith programmes.
   

Formation:

Currently a new national approach to Christian Brother/Edmund Rice Family formation is being formulated. The proposed phases of formation are:

• Lived Experience - personal involvement with the Edmund Rice Family through one of its various communities and ministries;

• Deepening and Exploring - a one year formal and structured programme including ministry with a marginalized group, live-in formation experiences and regular mentoring;

• Immersion - a year which includes phases of preparation, immersion in ministry and community in a third world or marginalized location and reflection;

• Lifestyle/Public Commitment - a year or more of study, reflection and discernment for those who wish to embrace vowed commitment as a Christian Brother.

All phases are open to both men and women: those seeking to minister as a Religious Brother OR those seeking a lifestyle commitment within the Edmund Rice family.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
Bro Bernard White cfc
Vocations Office
PO Box 1129
BENTLEY D/C WA 6983
Telephone: 08 9450 0901
Facsimile: 08 9450 0999
Mobile: 0439 948 981
Email:bernard.white@westcourt.wa.edu.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
Bro John Webb cfc
Christian Brothers' Community
103 A George St
THEBARTON SA 5031
Telephone: 08 8354 2100
Facsimile: 08 8354 1723
Mobile: 0415 196 835
Email:webbcfc@picknowl.com.au 

QUEENSLAND and NORTHERN TERRITORY:
Bro Ted Magee cfc
Christian Brothers' Community
PO Box 923
INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068
Telephone: 07 3327 2200
Mobile: 0418 718 567
Email:ted.magee@ericeqld.org.au


NSW and ACT:
Br Phil Redding, cfc
St Mary’s Province Administration
Private Box 154
BALMAIN NSW 2041
Telephone: 02 9810 3922
Facsimile: 02 9810 3033
Email:predding@balmain.sm.cfc.edu.au

VICTORIA and TASMANIA
Brother Sean McManus, C.F.C.
Christian Brothers Community
79 Parsons Street
Sunshine Vic 3020
Telephone: 03 9311 5932
Mobile: 0417 136 640
Email:seantmcmanus@yahoo.com

NEW ZEALAND
Brother Paul Robertson, C.F.C.
Edmund Rice Community
Queen Mary Avenue
Epsom
Auckland 1003
New Zealand
Telephone: 64 9 623 0160
Email:pmr@xtra.co.au

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' WEBSITES:
www.edmundrice.org.au
www.edmundrice.org.nz

 

THE CISTERCIAN MONKS osco

 

The Cistercian way of life has its origin in the sixth-century monastic rule written by St Benedict, following a twelfth-century reform at the monastery of Cîteaux (Latin Cistercium) in Burgundy. This updating sought for a more simple lifestyle marked by poverty and self-support together with a renewed emphasis on the contemplative life. St Bernard of Clairvaux is one of the well-known Cistercians of the period. In the twelfth century hundreds of monasteries were founded throughout Europe.

The Cistercian Order has survived many ups and downs during its 900 years of existence, including the Black death, the suppression of monasteries at the time of the Reformation, the French Revolution and religious discrimination and persecution in many European countries. There was a major reform during the seventeenth century associated with the abbey of La Trappe and from which the nickname "Trappist" derives.
Meanwhile the Cistercian monasteries increased in number and spread beyond Europe. Today the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance numbers 103 monasteries of monks and 72 monasteries of nuns in every continent.
Tarrawarra is the only Cistercian Abbey in Australia.

The Cistercian Order has raised up many saints during its long history. Among those recognised in the twentieth century are Blessed Gabriella Sagghedu (Italy), Blessed Michael Tansi (Nigeria and England), Blessed Raphael Arnáiz Barón (Spain), Blessed Joseph Cassant (France) as well as many martyrs in the Netherlands, China, France, Spain, Algeria and New
Guinea. Following the example of the great mystical doctors of medieval times are many authors of books on spirituality, the most prominent of whom in recent times has been Thomas Merton of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky.

Tarrawarra Abbey was established in the Yarra Valley, some 60 km from Melbourne in 1954. The founders came from Mount Saint Joseph Abbey in Ireland, at the invitation of Dr Daniel Mannix, the Archbishop of Melbourne.

First living in the large house already on the 400-hectare property, we have since built a church, accommodation units for the increasing number of monks and, to mark our Golden Jubilee, a monastic library. In addition, as means
of self-support we have improved the farm economy and established a eucharistic breads business. The monastery has a small guest house for those who wish to enjoy the solitude and peace of the monastic environment, and the possibility of participating in the Liturgy of the Hours.

Tarrawarra is part of an international order of monks and nuns; we are involved in many projects with other monasteries worldwide, especially with those in the Asia-Pacific region. Two monks from Tarrawarra have been elected abbots elsewhere, one in the Philippines and one in New Zealand. In 1998 we accepted responsibility for Kurisumala Ashram in India. As well as the Irish founders and Australians who have since joined, our community has welcomed into its midst recruits from different parts of Asia where no Cistercian monastery exists.

Mission and Ministry:
 

Tarrawarra is a contemplative community. The primary goal of our life is to seek God in prayer. The monk's day is structured around communal prayer: the celebration of a daily Eucharist and the singing of the Liturgy of the Hours, beginning in the early morning and continuing until the day's end. This communal prayer is supported by the practice of personal prayer and meditation and ample daily opportunity for sacred reading (lectio divina). We live in a lifelong community so that our spiritual search is supported and guided by brothers animated with the same zeal and pursing the same ideal. We live a simple and austere life, seeking a balance between prayer, work and study. We support ourselves by our work and try to be good stewards of the land and resources entrusted to us.

Prayer is our life and our apostolate. Through our guest house, we offer hospitality to those who seek to participate for a time in the monastic ambience.

Formation:
 

Our acceptance of Catholic men into our community is decided on an individual basis discerned through a period of mutual contact of increasing depth. Those who enter are able to begin living monastic life immediately, though they will pass through several stages of formation over a minimum of six years. During this time they will be guided in their spiritual life through personal direction and a program of monastic education. After profession, some may continue their studies either for priesthood or for other services in the community.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Michael Casey OCSO (Vocation Director)
 

Tarrawarra Abbey

659 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road

YARRA GLEN Vic 3775
 

Telephone: (03) 9730 1306

Fax: (03) 9730 1749

email: tarabbey@ozemail.com.au

Website

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

Calling Columban Missionary Priests

The Columbans are a Society of Missionary priests founded by Bishop Edward Galvin and Fr John Blowick in 1918. We work in 15 countries: Australia, Britain, Chile, China, Fiji, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philipines, Taiwan and the United States.

Mission and Ministry:

Our objectives are:

• To establish the Church where the Gospel has not been preached,
• To help local churches grow into evengelising communities.
• To promote dialogue between Christians and those of other religious traditions.
• To faciitate iterchange between local churches.

Formation:

We follow Jesus of Nazareth, who said,

"He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty

to captivies, and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free

and to proclaim the Lord's year of favour." (Luke 4:18)

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Patrick J McInerney

Columban Mission Institute

Locked Bag 2002

Strathfield NSW 2135 

Institute (02) 9352 8000

Direct (02) 9352 8013 

e-Mail:  patrickmcinerney@columban.org.au

Confraternity of Christ the Priest - Christ the Priest, Fathers & Brothers - ccs

The story of the Confraternity of Christ the Priest begins with the story of Australia – a country with so much that is going well, but at the same time, with something not right. Of today’s 22.5 million Australians, around 21.5 million do not go to Mass. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned... Unless you eat My Body and drink My Blood, you will not have life in you... I am the Resurrection and the Life...You have the words of everlasting life. ”The plain fact about human beings, wealthy or poor, is that we need God and we need His Church. Australia is a wealthy, developed country, but it is also a mission field hungry for the Gospel. Australian priest Fr John Whiting realized that this mission to Australia’s “churchless millions” needed the teamwork of many people who would be free to dedicate themselves to this work. And so began the Confraternity of Christ the Priest.

Mission and Ministry:

Most groups of priests or brothers or sisters are established to work for a particular group of people. Nursing sisters work for the sick and elderly, teaching orders work for young people. The Confraternity too was founded to work for a particular group, those who have given up all practice of the faith and those who have never known what religion is. The work of the priests is the Intensive Apostolate – the Confraternity takes on a parish for 25 years and has in the parish not one or two but many priests. The heavy work of a parish priest, on his own and simply serving those who go to Mass already, leaves very little time to think of any missionary work to non-Catholics or lapsed Catholics. But with many priests focusing their zeal for God and souls in a parish, the churchless at last have a better chance. By personal contact with everyone in the area, they aim to influence every individual to believe in God, to love and worship Him. The work of the brothers is to build church, school or other buildings the parish might need, to finance the Intensive Apostolate – working in the monastery, the parish, on the farm etc., and generally working alongside the priests to lead souls to heaven.

Formation:

Members of the Confraternity of Christ the Priest take vows to God of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, and they live in community. So there is the same kind of preparation that religious all over the world do – novice, temporary vows, and final vows. What’s unique about the Confraternity’s training? Brothers are trained in a profession, such as electrician, journalism, and plumber. Those who are going to become priests are taught to understand and love the teachings of the Church and to celebrate the Mass with devotion of course, but they are taught with particular emphasis about the Church’s zeal for the salvation of souls and about the new Evangelization. The hearts of the members of the Confraternity, priests and brothers, grow to be totally aflame with the fire of zeal. Zeal is that burning love for God that yearns to see every human heart ardently loving and adoring Him, and that burning love for souls which thirsts to see all people possess their greatest good and their eternal happiness in God. Brothers and priests are formed in the unique spirit of the Confraternity – the spirit of Christ the Priest. “Ours were the sufferings He bore, ours the sorrows He carried...” (Is 52, 53). Think of the love in Jesus’ heart for the Father and for us, think of the loving obedience unto death, even death on the cross – He really is the compassionate and trustworthy High Priest, and He is our model.

Vocation Information:

For more information about the Confraternity of Christ the Priest, please contact:

Fr Thomas Casanova CCS
Vocations Director
P.O. Box 4055
ASHMONT NSW 2650

THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY - dc

In 1633 in Paris Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac founded the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. This event followed many years of brokenness, growth and searching on the part of Louise and Vincent. Louise had a very difficult childhood, a demanding God, a sad ending to her marriage and a son to raise. Vincent had been an ambitious priest who had struggled with faith and vocation. In the poor both Louise and Vincent saw the face of God. The poor called them to develop new forms of service and to gather groups of women, lay and consecrated, to serve the poorest of the poor.

Urged on by the "Love of Christ crucified" the Daughters "serve Christ in the poor, and the poor in Christ. While prayer is central to the life of a Daughter, Vincent urged the sisters that if the poor needed them they were to leave God contemplated in prayer to serve Him in the poor. An interior experience of God nourished by personal and community prayer nourishes service. Mary holds a special place. Community life, lived in small local communities is one of the basic supports for a life of service.

In order for the poor to be cared for in their homes and on the streets the Daughters of Charity needed to be free from the constraints of the cloister. A new form of consecrated life was begun! Daughters of Charity take private, annual vows. The primary vow is of service of the poor while the other vows are poverty, chastity and obedience. Daughters of Charity are "not nuns" but members of a Society of Apostolic Life. The key virtues of a Daughter are "Humility, Simplicity and Charity" while the qualities are "Availability, Flexibility and Mobility".

Mission and Ministry:

Today, as in 1633, the Daughters of Charity are called to serve the poorest of the poor the most abandoned in society. We commit ourselves to quality, personal service.

Today in the Province of Australia, Daughters of Charity work in the following ministries:

• Support services for the homeless
• Chaplaincy
• Aged care including support for those with dementia
• Parish Pastoral Care
• Support to those with an intellectual disability
• Support to those persons with a mental illness
• Aboriginal ministry
• Accommodation support for women, children and families in crisis
• Support of refugees education

The Company of the Daughters of Charity is missionary from its foundations. 22,000 Daughters in over 100 countries are called to serve ever attentive to the signs of the times, the appeals of the Church, the poor and the world. In order to deliver the best service possible and to defend the rights of the poor, work in conjunction with civil authorities and all persons of good will.

It is our vision to walk beside those who are disadvantaged and alienated in our society. Mutuality in service is at the heart of the vision - in serving the poor we learn about ourselves, about life and about God. The poor call us forth, challenging us always.

Formation:

Formation in the Company of the Daughters of Charity has as its focus the spiritual, professional and human development of women. The outcome is a growth in knowledge and relationship with god, a demonstration of a desire to be a servant of Christ and a strengthening of a capacity to give and receive life while living in community. When a woman expresses an interest in our way of life she is assigned a mentor, a sister with many years experience, with whom she is able to explore her choice, to articulate her hopes and dreams and to make a commitment. A variety of settings and processes, of courses and personnel over three to five years, ensures a breadth of learning and experience and provides a basis for a lifetime of service.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Vocation Co-ordinator
176 Balaclava Road
MARSFIELD NSW 2122
Telephone: 02 9889 0355

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

De La Salle Brothers fsc

The extraordinary story of the Brothers began with the founder John Baptist de La Salle. Born into a life of privilege in France in 1651, the life of this young priest took a series of unexpected turns when he began helping a local teacher run a charity school for the poor. What began as a generous effort to help gradually became his life's work.  He gathered a group of young, unmarried men to help him provide poor children with a Christian education. He renounced his title and considerable wealth and moved in with these men, to form the community that became known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

De La Salle and his Brothers succeeded in creating a network of quality schools throughout France. In addition, De La Salle developed programs for training lay teachers, Sunday courses for working young men, and one of the first institutions in France for the care of troubled youths. He died in 1719, only weeks before his sixty-eighth birthday. At the time of his death there were 100 Brothers in 22 schools, teaching 5000 students throughout France.


Mission and Ministry:

The purpose of the De La Salle Brothers is to meet the educational and welfare needs of young people, especially the poor.

Today there are over 5,000 Brothers working in 80 countries throughout the world, in innovative roles from teachers and lecturers to counselors and social workers. The Brothers Lasallian Mission in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea encompass twenty-six schools, involving more than 800 co-workers in touch with more than 10,000 young people.

In addition the Brothers are also responsible for the welfare work of BoysTown, Australia’s largest children’s charity which founded the Kids Help Line and other initiatives, and the Lasallian Foundation which funds projects for disadvantaged youth across Asia-Pacific. As recently as 2005, the Lasallian Foundation was established to fund developmental and emergency relief projects in the Asia Pacific Region.

Visit www.delasallebrothers.com to take one of our extraordinary two-week challenge programs to get a real sense of the Brothers life and work.

 

Formation:

Becoming a De La Salle Brother (Training Program):

Phase 1: Community Placement
Spend six months in a Brothers’ community living and working alongside the Brothers. During this stage you’ll deepen your understanding of the Lasallian way of life.

Phase 2: Novitiate
During the 12-month Novitiate stage, you’ll live as a Brother. It’s a time for deep, personal reflection as you develop your spiritual commitment, in preparation for taking your vows.

Phase 3: Vows
At the point of taking your vows, you will then receive your first posting to a Brothers community to begin your work and life as a De La Salle Brother.

Phase 4: Ongoing Commitment
As a new Brother, you renew your vows annually for at least five years before permanently committing to the Brother's vocation.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Visit www.delasallebrothers.com to sign up to our monthly e-newsletter, Upfront, or for more information please contact:

Brother Mark McKeon FSC
Director of Vocations & Youth Ministry
Po Box 3485
Bankstown NSW 2200
Telephone: (02) 9795 6412
Fax: (02) 9795 6499
E-mail: markmckeon@delasalle.org.au
Web: www.delasallebrothers.com

The Diocese of Broken Bay

"Lumen Christi" - the Light of Christ - is the motto of the Diocese of Broken Bay. The icon on the Diocesan crest is based on the lighthouse at Barrenjoey that shines across Broken Bay at the entrance to the Hawkesbury River. Not only does this lighthouse unify both sections of our Diocese - Northern Sydney and the Central Coast - but it is also a striking image for the light of Christ as a beacon through the darkness.

Broken Bay was established as a Diocese in 1986 under the care of Bishop Patrick Murphy. Broken Bay may be one of the youngest Dioceses in Australia, but our heritage goes back to the earliest Catholic community in this country, including Holy Cross Church (founded 1842) and Saint Mary McKillop's orphanage at Kincumber. Bishop Murphy retired for reasons of age in September 1996 and was succeeded by the present Bishop, David Louis Walker DD MTh (Lon). Bishop David founded the Center for Spirituality at Randwick (in 1973), is a prominent speaker and has published extensively on faith renewal, spirituality, mysticism, ecumenism, formation of clergy, and Church leadership. He has a great vision for the future and is active in seeking out and supporting new leaders to take on the challenges of bringing the gospel to the contemporary world.

The Diocese of Broken Bay has 39 parishes, and is divided into three deaneries - the Central Coast, the North Shore and the Manly Peninsula - covering some beautiful beaches and national parkland. It stretches north to south from Wyoming to Manly, with Pennant Hills on its western border, and includes urban centers such as Chatswood, Hornsby and Gosford. There are many different challenges that the Church faces in each region. For instance the Central Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, but it also has one of the highest rates of youth suicide.

Mission and Ministry:

The ministry of the priests of Broken Bay is primarily directed towards serving and building up our parish communities. This involves preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in word and deed, as well as gathering the community together for celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments. The priest is there to represent the Church in the significant moments of people's lives, in times of both great joy and sorrow, such as Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals. A priest's pastoral ministry may take him to family homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes - he goes wherever there is a need to spread the Good News. Priests have an important role in empowering the gifts of the people and overseeing their use in the parish community. Ultimately, priestly ministry is about answering the call of Jesus to follow him in a special way by giving one's life in love and service to the People of God.

Formation:

The first point of contact for someone considering priesthood for Broken Bay can be their local parish priest, the Diocesan Vocations Director, or the Vocations Promotions Officer. This is followed by a period of helping the prospective candidate in discernment - through spiritual direction, vocational accompaniment and retreat weekends. The inquirer may then apply to the Bishop to be accepted as a student for the Diocese.

In Broken Bay Diocese formation for priesthood takes place at Murphy House at St Ives. Students live together with the formation director, Fr Jim McKeon, sharing meals, prayer, daily Mass, ministry and life together. There are lectures, seminars and retreats which are shared with people in formation for priesthood for other dioceses for religious life all across Sydney .

In the first six months of first year a program called Kairos is shared with novices from religious orders from around Sydney , providing a broad introduction to spirituality, discernment and prayer.

In the first three years students undertake a Bachelor of Theology degree with the Broken Bay Institute and the Catholic Institute of Sydney, and then take some further study in the remaining years.

A key component of formation is ongoing pastoral development, with students strongly involved in the life Corpus Christi Parish, St Ives, where they will, over 6 years, be involved in every area of parish ministry. There are also workshops on the practical skills of public speaking and preaching, teaching and leading liturgy. There is a one week retreat each year, as well as regular one-on-one spiritual direction and reflection days.

Priests, religious and lay people assist in our formation, with Bishop David regularly visiting to give input on the classic spiritual writers. Some formation is taking in conjunction with other people in the diocese, such as preparation for teaching scripture in government schools. This cooperative approach is a hallmark of the diocese overall, and is part of equipping our future priests to lead in a collaborative Church.

Formation programs are tailored to each man to focus on developing his self awareness, character and relationship skills which will equip him to love and serve people well.
 

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Vocations Director:
Fr Jim McKeon
Catholic Parish
PO Box 6273
Kincumber NSW 2251
Email:jim.mckeon@dbb.org.au

The Diocese of Broome

The Catholic Church in the Kimberley began with the spread of cattle and pearling industries late last century. People were attracted to 'the frontier' as indeed they still are, with its spectacular scenery, ancient culture and sub-tropical climate. The then Archbishop of Perth, Matthew Gibney, was keen to have a church presence for the growing Catholic population, mainly Filipinos. He also wanted provide protection and evangelisation for the aboriginal population who were being exploited by numbers of the newcomers.

Trappist (Cistercian) monks from Sept Fons in France founded a mission at Beagle Bay in 1890 and soon reached out to Broome. They handed over to the Pallottines in 1901, who accompanied the growth of the Diocese, establishing four missions and five town parishes. The Sisters of St John of God assisted the priests and brothers in evangelising coastal and desert areas of the vast Kimberley. The first Diocesan priest was ordained in 1976.

Currently four diocesan and seven priests belonging to congregations serve 27 000 people in an area of 900 000km2. The Diocese is divided into 8 parishes, an additional 14 centres having an official Catholic presence. Fifty religious men and women and fifteen lay volunteers serve the Diocese in ministry and support roles. The Church conducts 14 schools, a spirituality centre, a welfare/counselling agency, a vital youth ministry, and hosts a campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Mission and Ministry:

Kimberley priests have traditionally been self-motivated, independent and flexible. Significantly among their number have been students of aboriginal culture and language, with a commitment for equality justice and peace. That tradition continues today with the changing face of the church. Devolution of large mission centres into smaller aboriginal communities (numbering 70 in one parish alone) has meant a travelling ministry for those in remote locations. Priests have as priorities the inculturation of the faith and the development of appropriate lay leadership in the communities. Both of these occur in the broader context of reconciliation of the indigenous and non-indigenous cultures of this country. The traditional aboriginal owners of the Kimberley identify with 53 languages. The Church continues to be a leader in the preservation and encouragement of indigenous culture.

Formation:

A young man considering a vocation to the priesthood in the diocese of Broome would make contact with the vocations Director or the Bishop. A period of discernment would necessarily require time spent in the Diocese. The candidate will be acquainted with indigenous ministry and the local church, and then begin seminary studies in a manner suited to the particular student, suppling the needs of both the student and the Diocese.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Bishop Christopher Saunders
PO Box 76
BROOME WA 6725 

Telephone: 08 9192 1060
Fax: 08 9192 2136
Email: secretary@broomediocese.org.au

THE DIOCESE OF GERALDTON

The Geraldton Diocese was established in 1898. The Diocese is the largest diocese within Australia. It is 1,318,000 sq. km covering nearly two thirds of Western Australia. Bishop Justin Bianchini leads the Diocese assisted by 22 priests with the pastoral care of 15 parishes and 25 other Mass centres. The priests and bishop are supported by some religious who assist in pastoral duties in the outlying parishes. There are seven Primary Schools, two Primary to Year 10 schools, two Secondary Colleges and one Agricultural College within the Diocese.

We have four Aboriginal Outreach missions throughout the diocese and an Aboriginal Liaison Officer. The diocese also has a number of diocesan organisations which are responsible for education, family services, counselling, marriage preparation, natural family planning and pregnancy help, welfare, parish life and adult faith education. Centacare and the Centre for Parish Life and Mission reach out to the whole Diocese. There are three Conferences of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The area of Health Care is conducted by The St John of God Health Care System and a Nursing Home for the Aged conducted by the Sisters of Nazareth.

The Diocese has a Vocations Council that meet to discuss and promote community awareness of the need for vocations. Because of the vastness of the diocese we rely on our priests and religious to promote vocations within their parishes and schools.

Mission and Ministry:

Priests of the Geraldton Diocese are involved in a range of general pastoral and liturgical ministries. Some of our priests are involved in hospital, prison, school and Aboriginal chaplaincy. With some of our parishes on the coast there is also a need for our priests to serve as chaplains to seafarers, and in more recent years to people in the Refugee camp in the north west of the diocese. The priests serve in various counselling and educational roles due to the lack of Government facilities in some areas.

The Diocese encourages priests to undertake on-going education, and provides periodical leave. There is a choice of accommodation and on-going care provided for retired priests.

Formation:

A man interested in priesthood initially makes contact with the Diocesan Vocation Director. A meeting with the Bishop and the other Committee members will then take place. The formal process of reflection and discernment is carried out through the Perth Archdiocesan Pre-Vocation Centre in Guildford. If he wishes to continue in this direction, he makes formal application to begin training for priesthood.

Seminary training takes place over a number of years, during which time a man would undertake studies designed to help develop spiritually, socially, intellectually and pastorally. There are normally two pastoral placements in which the seminarian would return to the Diocese to experiences some hands on training, working with priests who have completed courses in pastoral direction. This is designed to help the seminarian to experience priestly life in the rural and sometimes harsh conditions of the Diocese, while gaining insights and valuable experience in the various areas of priesthood. These placements also serve as an opportunity for those responsible for his formation to make informed decisions regarding both his suitability for priestly ministry, and his ability to make a life-time commitment to the Geraldton Diocese.

Ordination is the culmination of seminary training. This decision is made in consultation with the Bishop, the Seminary Professors and those who guided his pastoral placement.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For more information please contact:

Fr Gerard Totanes
Geraldton Diocesan Vocations Director
Post Office Box 46
Geraldton WA 6531
Telephone: 08 9921 3221
Facsimile: 08 9964 1097
Email:gerardt@diocese-geraldton.org

The Diocese of Maitland

The Diocese of Maitland was established in 1847. Bishop Murray, the first resident Bishop of the Diocese, arrived in 1866. We are a diocese possessing a mixture of city and rural living, extending from Catherine Hill Bay and Taree on the coast to Murrurundi and Merriwa inland. We encompass coal mining towns, wine growing areas, dairy farming areas, industrial areas, bay and lakeside living and Newcastle is a major port for shipping.

The Diocese has a population of 140,000 Catholics led by Bishop Michael Malone. We are served by 46 active Diocesan Priests with a number of retired priests ministering in 51 parishes. There are a number of congregations of male and female religious who work in varied apostolates throughout the Diocese.

In 1995 the Diocese became known as Maitland-Newcastle and our Cathedral, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, was established at Hamilton, a suburb of Newcastle.

The Vocations Team of the Diocese is comprised of members of Religious Congregations, married people, single people and priests. Its mandate is to raise the awareness of the Vocation of all the baptised while at the same time encouraging and promoting young people to seriously consider all vocational possibilities. It is also the task of the Vocation team to promote a positive understanding of the vocations of priesthood and religious life.

Mission and Ministry:

Priests of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are involved in a range of pastoral and liturgical ministries. Some are involved in specific ministries of hospital chaplaincy, ministry to aborigines, adult faith education and counselling. By our nature our prime ministry is the building up of the Kingdom in the context of parish life. Priests of our Diocese are encourage to undertake on-going formation and the Diocese provides the opportunity for sabbatical leave. At all times provision is made for the support and on-going care of priests throughout their time of ministry and when they reach the time of retirement.

Formation:

A man who is interested in priesthood makes an initial contact with the Diocesan Vocations Director. From here he enters a formal process of reflection and discernment. When he decide he wishes to continue in the direction of priesthood, he makes a formal application to commence his Seminary formation.

Seminary formation takes place over a number of years. During this time the man undertakes studies that will help him to develop intellectually, socially, pastorally and spiritually. Pastoral formation is an important aspect of Seminary training, and a series of pastoral placements is arranged, including weekend placements in Parishes and a twelve month placement midway through Seminary formation. A pre diaconate placement occurs at the conclusion of Seminary formation.

These experiences of study, reflection and pastoral experience are designed to help each candidate gain skills, insights and valuable practical experience. These will enable him and those responsible for his formation to make an informed decision regarding his suitability for priestly ministry and his ability to make a life-time commitment to the Diocesan Priesthood.

Ordination is the culmination of this training. Formation for the newly ordained continues post-ordination through mentoring and support from all levels of the presbyterate and Diocesan community.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For more information please contact:

Vocation Director:
Fr Brian Mascord
Vocation Centre
13 Dunbar Street
STOCKTON

Telephone: 02 4928 3521
Fax: 02 4928 4670
Mobile: 0417 294 221

Email:vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

DIOCESE OF  PARRAMATTA

The Diocese of Parramatta is one of the youngest Dioceses in Australia in more ways than one. Having been formed in 1986 it’s still in its twenties! As well, the Diocese is very young in that we have one of the highest birth rates anywhere in the land. This is a place with no shortage of babies, children, teenagers and young adults, as well of course as the full range of ages and backgrounds through to the senior years.

The Diocese’s founding Bishop, Bede Heather, set the tone of encouraging a broad participation in the Church’s life and ministry and making real priority for those in need. Bishop Kevin Manning followed him in 1997, taking up the leadership in this rapidly growing and most multi-cultural region of the Australian Church. One of the memorable tasks of those years was the re-building the historic Cathedral of St Patrick, ruined by fire in 1996. What resulted is not just a remarkable building, but one which acts as a guiding symbol for our Diocese. In its blend of features, it honours and proclaims an enduring, sacred tradition, whilst at the same time presenting a contemporary dynamic of the community of faith gathered physically around the Word and Eucharist. This speaks of a people called to bring Christ into the heart of the community. It was in that place in 2010 that the Diocese formally received Bishop Anthony Fisher, a member of the Dominican Order, as the third Bishop of Parramatta. Currently the youngest of Australia’s Bishops and a valued ethicist and teacher, his special commitment to young people was reflected in his directing of WYD08. In Bishop Anthony’s own words, he ‘loves being a priest’.

Parramatta Seminarians with Bishop Anthony - 2010

Mission and Ministry:

If you flew a helicopter across Parramatta Diocese you’d probably land feeling frightened or excited! To see the many established suburban areas which range across the social and cultural spectrum, along with the massive expansion occurring and projected, is sure testimony to the importance and size of the pastoral challenge. As the M7 cuts across the M4 and leads to the M2, one is conscious of the significance of this region, for these are key arteries linking the diversity that is our Diocese. In addition to the vibrant energy of its young population, the Diocese is crowned with natural beauty such as the Hawkesbury/Nepean River systems and the vast sanctuary of the Blue Mountains. Some might shy away from the call to effective twenty first century ministry in this region! The Diocese, however, calls the faith and enthusiasm of some of the generous young men of today to become priests… brother disciples who see the challenge as full of opportunity to do great things for God among God’s people. Please join us in praying for such men whose lives will be so significant!

Formation:

Formation in faith and living for every follower of Christ is life-long. But specifically in relation to the ordained priesthood for Parramatta Diocese, the first step would be to get in touch with Fr Paul Roberts. Fr Paul is the Parish Priest of Granville and is also the Diocesan Vocation Director. You can have a chat with him about what’s involved. Put briefly, the journey to ordination is interesting and full. Each person brings his own unique gifts into a brotherly journey with companions in the Diocese’s Seminary house. There is an ongoing programme of spiritual and personal development, university level academic studies and ministry formation, a whole range of pastoral experiences and placements and a growing identity with and belonging in the wider Diocesan family.

Vocation Information:

Fr Warren Edwards
Parramatta Diocesan Vocations
PO Box 3066
North Parramatta  NSW  1750

THE DIOCESE OF PORT PIRIE
 

Geographically ours is the Central diocese of Australia. Our boundaries join the dioceses of Perth and Geraldton in Western Australia, Darwin in the north, Rockhampton and Toowoomba in Queensland, Wilcannia-Forbes in New South Wales, Ballarat in Victoria and Adelaide in the south. It is the only diocese, which goes beyond a State border as we extend 1 degree latitude to include Uluru and some Aboriginal settlements to the north. The vast regions of what later became the Diocese were first evangelised by the Austrian Jesuits based at Seven Hill. About 1852 they were given the responsibility for the spiritual care of all Catholics north of a line from Morgan on the River Murray to the west of Spencer's Gulf. Father John Pallhuber undertook great missionary journeys up to 700 kms on horseback four or five times each year. Later on Jesuits administered several parishes until about 1900.

When diocesan priests began to arrive they too were required to take arduous trips through vast areas. We recall the words of John Norton, Bishop of the diocese 1906-23 on his visits to Railway construction camps: "Many a boiling day and many a cold night I camped with the generous-hearted and truly noble men in their tents." Because of the instability of mining and railway settlements and the drift from rural areas the diocese has seen many Churches and Mass centres open and later close. However because the region is so rich in minerals and attractive to tourists we have new places being established. For instance Roxby Downs is the country's fastest growing development.

The diocese now consists of 23 parishes. 14 schools provide Catholic Education for primary pupils. There are 4 secondary Colleges 3 of which have boarding facilities. Aged Care is available in 3 Centres. We have the usual caring organisations such as CentaCare, St Vincent de Paul, CWL, KSC, YCW, and YCS. We have specialists helping with adult education, youth work and liturgy.

Our leader is Bishop Eugene Hurley who was born in the diocese.

Mission and Ministry:

The priests of those early years established a custom of travelling long distances to minister in sparsely populated areas. We are proud that this tradition is still alive in many of our parishes thus emphasising the importance of the individual. We need priests and religious who seek a more relaxed, country lifestyle and who enjoy traveling the vastness of our state from the Riverland to the desert country of Coober Pedy and the coastal beauty of Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsular. While this can be a lonely ministry at times it is also very rewarding.

Our priests, religious and lay helpers are engaged in the usual parish activities - visitation, caring for the sick in hospitals and at home, education, liturgy, and administering the Sacraments. In small centres especially they are expected to take part in community interests such as sporting clubs, hospital, aged care.

Formation:

The road to priesthood is an interesting one for those called. The first port of call is to make contact with the Vocations Director directly or via your parish priest. After a period of discussion and discernment a formal application is made to the seminary in Adelaide, to begin the training for priesthood.

The Adelaide seminary has students from three Dioceses, Darwin, Port Pirie and Adelaide. This provides a good mix of students from varying backgrounds. The seminary training takes a number of years depending on the education and experience of each applicant. Usually however, the length of training is seven years, during which the applicant would undertake studies to help him develop spiritually, academically, emotionally, pastorally and physically. During this period of study there are two opportunities to experience parish life during a Pastoral Placement. This placement is designed to give someone an experience of the life of a parish priest in our Diocese. The years of study at the seminary allow time for discernment and reflection to ensure that those seeking ordination are able to make an informed commitment to the life and for life. It is also a time of discernment for the Diocese to determine if the student is suited to the Diocese of Port Pirie.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Paul Crotty
Vocations Director
All Saints Parish
PO Box 492
PORT AGUSTA  SA 5700

Phone: (08) 8642 2847

Fax: (08) 8641 2187

eMail: pjcrotty@pp.catholic.org.au

THE DIOCESE OF SALE  (Victoria)
 

The Diocese of Sale was established in 1887, and the present Bishop, Jeremiah Coffey, a native of County Cork, Ireland, is the seventh Bishop of Sale. St Mary’s Cathedral is situated in the City of Sale, about 210 kilometres east of Melbourne.

Our Diocese stretches from the rapidly expanding outer Melbourne suburbs of Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Berwick in the west to the New South Wales border in the east. Generally, the Diocese comprises that great region known as Gippsland. We have lightly populated rural areas in the east, where agriculture, timber and tourism are major industries. The high country of Gippsland is well known for its ski fields and the Gippsland Lakes region is a haven for those who enjoy all water sports. The Latrobe Valley is a centre of open cut coal mining, industry and electricity production. Fabulous beaches line the coast of Gippsland, rolling hills and verdant pastures dot the landscape. Bass Strait, to the south of the Diocese, is the source of more than half Australia’s oil and gas requirements. When God created Australia, Gippsland was certainly the jewel in the crown!

In ministry with Bishop Coffey are 32 Diocesan priests, 8 religious priests and 50 brothers and sisters of religious orders. These serve our 76,000 Catholics in 29 parishes. The 31 Catholic primary schools educate 7,800 students and our 8 secondary colleges have 6,200 students enrolled.

In vocations work we seek to promote the vocation of all the baptized, to inform people of the various vocational options for their lives whether in the married or single, consecrated or ordained state. Through skilled people in the Diocese we try to support and encourage those who are exploring the religious life or priesthood as the option for their lives, as the way they live out best their spirit filled selves.

Mission and Ministry:

Priests of the Diocese are involved in a range of parish ministries. Most have an involvement in chaplaincy in schools, colleges and hospitals. Some are in more specialized ministry to the police force, air force or prison system. Many of the religious sisters are involved in parish ministry and others are staff members of the Catholic Education Office.

The Diocese encourages priests to undertake on-going education and sabbatical leave is available. In recent years priests have taken leave to study in Wales and the United States and some have taken advantage of our proximity to Melbourne to study at local theological colleges.

A recent development in ministry in our diocese is the introduction of the permanent Diaconate. We have two permanent Deacons, Tony Aspinall and Jim Erskine. Tony was ordained in August 1998, and lives in the Narre Warren parish with his wife June. He exercises his ministry in various ways, including chaplaincy work at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield. Jim recently celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a Deacon, having arrived in Sale with his wife, Barbara in July 2000 from the Townsville Diocese. They live a few doors away from the Bishop's Office, where Jim exercises his ministry as the Bishop's Secretary. Others have expressed interest in this ancient, yet new, ministry in the Church, and a process of formation and education has been developed.

Formation:

People interested in the priesthood usually make contact with a priest they know who encourages them to contact the Vocations Director. After a time of accompaniment and discernment a formal application is made to the Bishop to begin studying and formation for the priesthood.

Students from our Diocese have generally attended Corpus Christi College in Melbourne for the usual seven years of formation. They have begun studies for a degree in Theology from Catholic Theological College, a member of the Melbourne College of Divinity. Through spiritual, liturgical, social, academic, intellectual and pastoral experiences the student is given an insight into the life and traditions of the Diocese and the wider Church. The years at the seminary give the student and the seminary authorities the time to assess his suitability for ordained ministry.

Ordination to the priesthood is the culmination of the formation process and is followed by an appointment to one of the parishes in the Diocese.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Michael Willemsen
Corpus Christi College
180 Drummond Street
Carlton VIC 3053

Email:mickwillo@hotmail.com

THE DIOCESE OF TOOWOOMBA (Queensland)

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba was excised from the Archdiocese of Brisbane in 1929 with the first Bishop being James Byrne, the Parish Priest of Ipswich. The Diocese covers the bulk of southern Queensland with Helidon in the east and Quilpie being the most western parish. The area is vast with most of the parishes being small country towns. Many of these towns are declining in population due to the rural recession in Australia.

The present Bishop is Bishop William Morris who was ordained Bishop of the Diocese in February 1993. There are thirty-six parishes with thirty-four active priests in ministry. Five of our parishes do not have a resident priest and are cared for by a visiting priest from a neighbouring parish.

The Cathedral city for the Diocese is Toowoomba. Toowoomba has a population of 95,000 and is located in the eastern area of the Diocese. In this city is located Downlands College, a co-educational college run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The Ursuline Sisters and Sisters of Mercy also conduct secondary colleges in the city. Most of the parishes in the Diocese have primary schools run by lay staff and are under the direction of the Catholic Education Office in Toowoomba.

Mission and Ministry:

The Diocese in under the patronage of Our Lady of the Southern Cross with a deep devotion to Our Lady prominent in parishes. Although ageing, the Diocesan Clergy are hardworking and enthusiastic in their ministry. Regular inservices are held for clergy and parish workers enabling them to cope with the demands of distance and small populations in the western parishes.

Formation:

Candidates accepted for the Diocese are trained at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane with a large part of their training taking place in the Diocese.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Michael Cooney
PO Box 32
Dalby Q 4405
Phone: 07 4662 4011
stmarysgdi@bigpond.com

Fr Jamie Collins
PO Box 23
St George Q 4487
Phone: 07 4625 3021

THE DIOCESE OF TOWNSVILLE

The Diocese of Townsville was established in 1930. It covers an area of 434,400 square kilometres, extending from Townsville on the Coast, to the Whitsunday and Burdekin regions in the South and north to Ingham and Halifax, south-west to Winton, and west to the border with the Northern Territory, encompassing Mount Isa and several small, isolated western towns and east to Palm Island.

Bishop Michael E Putney was installed as the fifth Bishop of Townsville on 27 March, 2001. Together with twenty-two priests in full-time or part-time ministry and three lay pastoral leaders, the Bishop has the pastoral care of 72,000 Catholics in twenty-seven parishes. There are 86 religious sisters and brothers in various ministries within the Diocese. There are twenty one Primary and nine Secondary Schools within the Diocese. The Sisters of Mercy operate the large Mater Misericordiae Hospital and Aged Care facilities, and the Canossian Sisters have an Aged Care home in Trebonne, near Ingham.
There are a number of diocesan organisations responsible for education, family services and counselling, adult faith formation, liturgy, youth ministry, spiritual development and social justice. There is one student for the ordained ministry in the Diocese at present attending the Holy Spirit Seminary in Brisbane. Every effort is made to raise the level of community awareness about the vocation of all the baptised and the call to the ordained ministry.

The Diocesan Vision Statement is:

We are the Catholic Community of the Diocese of Townsville.
Through our baptism we are called to be disciples of Jesus.
We will continue his mission with energy and commitment amid the challenges of our time.

We will do this by:

• Honoring the Sacred - Our Call to Holiness

• Building Right Relationships—Becoming Communities of Care and Hospitality

• Caring for Those who are Marginalised

• Sharing our Faith

Mission and Ministry:

Priests of the Townsville Diocese are primarily involved in the general pastoral and liturgical ministries within parishes. They are involved in hospital chaplaincy, adult education and serve on various diocesan committees and boards. The diocese encourages priests to undertake ongoing education and inservice. Provision is made for periodical sabbatical leave. Accommodation and ongoing care are provided for retired priests. Several retired or semi-retired priests are involved in parish ministry with a lay leader or leadership team.

Formation:

A man who is interested in priesthood initially makes contact with the Vocations Director. He may then, after consultation with the Bishop, wish to proceed into a formal process of reflection and discernment. If he then wishes to continue in this direction, he makes formal application to begin training for priesthood.

Seminary formation takes place over a number of years, during which a man would undertake studies designed to help him develop spiritually, socially, intellectually and pastorally. At various stages during seminary formation there is a series of pastoral placements, through which he would taste life in rural and city parishes, while gaining insights, skills and valuable practical experience within the diocesan context. These years of study, reflection and pastoral experiences enable him, and those responsible for his formation, to make an informed decision regarding both his suitability for priestly ministry, and his ability to make a life-time commitment to the diocesan priesthood. Ordination is the culmination of seminary training. In the months following ordination a newly-ordained priest undertakes the final stages of his formation in preparation for his first assignment to one of the parishes in the Townsville Diocese.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Rod Ward
Diocese of Townsville
PO BOX 95
WULGURU QLD 4811

Telephone:(07)4778 1219
Mobile: 0419 724 144
Email:rward@tsv.catholic.net.au

THE DIOCESE OF WAGGA WAGGA

The Diocese of Wagga Wagga was established in 1918 and is located in Southern New South Wales. The Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are significant geographical features of our area and on our eastern border lies the Great Dividing Range. The Cathedral is in the city of Wagga Wagga, midway between Sydney and Melbourne. The diocese includes other rural cities and many country towns.

Our faith communities are nourished and sustained by the sacramental life of the Church administered and accessed through 30 parishes served by 50 active priests. The diocese also operates 34 schools and has many male and female religious serving the Church in varied apostolates.
 

Two characteristics which set the Wagga Wagga diocese apart from many dioceses are the continuing presence of a priest in many small country communities, and having the youngest average age for priests in all of Australia.

Mission and Ministry:

As fellow-workers with the bishop, priests in the diocese of Wagga Wagga have the opportunity to help build up the Kingdom of God in many different circumstances: city parishes; country parishes; schools; colleges; university; hospitals; nursing homes; army and air-force bases; prisons; the police force; the homeless; adult education; youth groups; and working as chaplains to a variety of Catholic groups and organisations.  The mission and ministry of the diocesan priest is well summed up in the four questions the ordaining bishop asks the candidate for priesthood during the ordination liturgy.

1. Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Spiirt, to discharge without fail the office of priesthood as conscientious fellow workers with the bishops in caring for the Lord's flock?
    
2. Are you resolved to celebrate the mysteries of Christ (The Mass and the Sacraments) faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to us for the glory of God and the sanctification of Christ's people?
    
3. Are you resolved to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and explaining the Catholic faith?
    
4. Are you resolved to consecrate your life to God for the salvation of his people, and to unite yourself more closely every day to Christ the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the Father as a perfect sacrifice?  Does your heart desire to say yes to these questions? Then read on.

Formation and Seminary Life:

Men accepted as candidates for the priesthood undertake the seven-year process of formation at Vianney College, the Diocesan Seminary located at Wagga Wagga. Founded in 1992, Vianney College has been at the vanguard of a renewed approach to priestly training inspired by Pope John Paul II’s “Pastores dabo vobis”, combining well-tried traditions with new ideas.

The Chapel forms the heart of the seminary, symbolizing the priority given to the formation of a healthy spiritual life suitable for the diocesan priest. The seminary program includes daily Mass, prayer in common, regular days of recollection, and retreats. Each seminarian also meets regularly with his own personal spiritual director.

The academic life of the seminary encourages future priests to “think with the Church”, that is, to be loyal to, and to understand, the teachings of the Church. The aim is to “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, … with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15-16). Areas of formal study include Sacred Scripture, Philosophy, Theology, Liturgy, Sacraments, Church History, Latin, Greek and other related disciplines.

Future priests in a rural diocese are trained in a rural setting and form strong pastoral links with the local Church. Seminarians are introduced to a program of pastoral formation that involves them in many aspects of Church life in a variety of parishes. Pastoral experience is carefully monitored so that the seminarian can develop the skills required for dealing with people in a variety of pastoral situations.

Seminarians live in comfortable, well-equipped accommodation; form long-lasting friendships; enjoy free-time and vacations; and grow in the knowledge and love of God and his people. In the seminary, a man’s natural gifts are nurtured and refined so he may carry out God’s work effectively.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Rev Fr Rick Micallef
Acting Vocations Director & Promoter
PO Box 172
Wagga Wagga   NSW   2650

Phone: 02 6923 1222/284
Email: rick01micallef@gmail.com

View the Dioscese of Wagga entry on the CVMA (Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia) Website.

THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG

The Diocese of Wollongong was established in 1951 under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Cathedral Church is St Francis Xavier’s in Wollongong.

A Diocesan Priest is a man who works within and serves within a local church, called a Diocese: for us, our diocese is called the Diocese of Wollongong – it takes in four regional areas (Macarthar, Illawarra, Southern Highlands and the Shoalhaven). Our Cathedral Church is St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Wollongong and our Diocesan Bishop is Most Reverend Peter Ingham.

 

Mission and Ministry:

Diocesan Priests are very active people, with friends, hobbies and recreational activities, just like anybody else. It is said that a diocesan priest "is someone who lives with the people and each becomes a part of the other's life."

The role of a Diocesan Priest is to:

• Serve the individuals and families within his Parish

• Be the Spiritual Leader of that community

However, as well as ministering in parish communities, as either a Parish Priest or Assistant Priest, some diocesan priests serve the diocese in schools, as teachers, chaplains or campus ministers, in hospitals or in prisons.

Promises:

A Diocesan Priest commits himself to a celibate life, and to respect and obedience to the Bishop. Celibacy is not always understood today and, at times, it can be a struggle to live faithfully. But when lived well, celibacy reflects the selflessness of Jesus and is a sign of the ultimate call to union with God. These commitments are a reflection of God's enduring faithfulness to us.

More than a Job:

Deciding on a Priestly Vocation is, in one sense, a career choice like any other. Skills and attributes include:

• Strong interpersonal abilities

• Leadership

• Charity towards others

• Positive self-image

• Good health

• Emotional stability
  
  Being a Priest is more than a job - it's a way of life, requiring strong personal and professional commitment that is reflected in all that you do - all that you are. Spiritual conviction is at the heart of what it means to be a priest.
  There are many benefits and rewards in the Priesthood. The opportunity to serve God and bring hope, joy and healing into the lives of many people brings with it a deep happiness and a sense of peace.

A Special Role:

The Eucharist is the centre of a priest's life and ministry. A Diocesan Priest is ordained to:

• Offer pastoral service

• Proclaim God's Word

• Be the minister of the Sacraments (the visible signs of God's presence in the Christian community), e.g. celebrate Baptism, witness marriages, lead funerals, and bring God's healing presence to people through the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) and the Sacrament of the Sick
   

Diocesan Priests set aside some time each day for personal reflection and private prayer. Visits to the sick and troubled, working on various parish projects and activities, and counselling for individuals, married couples or families are also part of his role.

Formation:

If you believe that God may be calling you to serve His Church as a Diocesan Priest, why not take the next step. At least, consider meeting up with the Vocations Director to answer any questions you may have. As they say, no question is silly or not important: every question is important as the answer to it could shape the rest of your life.

Acceptance into the Diocese of Wollongong requires that a candidate demonstrate emotional maturity, academic ability, personal and psychological stability and consistent growth in the practice of the Faith. There has to be openness in him to learn and grow intellectually and spiritually as a human person. He must be prepared to embrace the challenges facing the Catholic Church in the third millennium with joy, hope and enthusiasm.

The prospective candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to Sunday Mass and prayer.

The process of application encourages the candidate to realize that his vocation does not simply enjoy a personal dimension but rather flows from the Church and toward a ministry within the Church. In this regard, no one has a "right" to Ordination but rather is called by God and by the Church.

Prospective students for the Priesthood would initially make contact with the Diocesan Vocations Director. After initial assessment a recommendation would be made by the Council for Priestly Formation to the Bishop who makes the decision whether to formally accept the man as a Seminarian for the Diocese.

Formal preparation includes an approved course in a Seminary that seeks to develop a seminarian spiritually and pastorally, intellectually and socially. This necessarily includes personal, spiritual and human formation. Throughout the course of studies, periods of pastoral placement in various parishes in the Diocese, as well as other relevant pastoral activities elsewhere, would be included. Ongoing assessment involving both the seminarian and those responsible for his formation would occur throughout this time, leading to a final assessment and recommendation by the Diocesan Commission for Orders to the Bishop as to the suitability and readiness of the seminarian for Ordination.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

If you wish to explore the possibility of living out your baptismal call as a Diocesan Priest in the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong contact:

Fr Richard Healey  (02) 4655 8797 - Camden Parish

or

priesthood@dow.org.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

DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES - svd

The Society of the Divine Word is an international community of Catholic missionaries: priests and brothers, founded in 1875 by a German priest, St. Arnold Janssen. He built a missionary training center in Holland. Within four years, he sent the first Divine Word Missionaries to China, among them was Joseph Freinademetz, SVD, now a saint. 

The Divine Word Missionaries primarily work where the Gospel has not yet been preached at all or only insufficiently and where the local church is not yet viable on its own. The mission of the Society of the Divine Word is to carry out Christ’s command to preach the Gospel to all nations through pastoral and sacramental ministry, teaching and working among those in need. The society has shown a steady growth in membership since World War II. Presently there are more than 6,000 priests and brothers serving in 70 countries in the world.

God’s loving grace gathered us from various peoples and continents into a religious missionary community dedicated to Christ, the Divine Word.

Mission and Ministry

As Divine Word Missionaries, we are men of prayer and faith, embodying the mission expressed in our SVD Constitution’s preamble: “He made the goodness and kindness of God visible in his life and service to all.”

Every member is involved in a particular and unique ministry as we spread the Word of God. We serve where the Gospel has not yet been preached and where the local church is not yet established.

• We are working world-wide in various ministries that include:

• Parish pastoral and sacramental ministries

• Educational and religious training and teaching

• Evangelization

• Youth, adult and family programs and service

• Lay leadership programs

• Healthcare ministries

• Counseling and chaplaincy services

• Economic, justice and peace ministries

• Interreligious dialogue ministries

• Spiritual direction

Charism

As Divine Word Missionaries, our charism has continued to grow in the spirit of our founder, St. Arnold Janssen. He envisioned a missionary order of priests and brothers who would go everywhere the Gospel had not yet to be proclaimed. He is the man of faith and prayer who had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, the Archangels, the Holy Trinity and in particular, to the Holy Spirit, who represents the Divine Word as expressed in the first chapter of St. John’s Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word…” Our Society of the Divine Word derives its name and mission from this favorite passage of St. Arnold Janssen.

Our international community life and ministry is a special charism of our society. We are now fulfilling St. Arnold’s dream that is a global missionary congregation.  Members from many nations live, work and minister together in an intercultural environment. Serving in the far-reaching missions of the Catholic Church, we preach the Word where it has not yet been heard.   

Our SVD members profess vows of consecrated chastity, evangelical poverty and apostolic obedience. We learn the languages and cultures of those whom we serve, and are open to leaving our home countries to minister in any one of our society’s global missions. Utilizing our particular gifts, we minister as pastors, teachers and administrators- or we may use our talents in areas like science, technology and practical skills, living and working side by side with those we serve.

“As members of the Society of the Divine Word, we consider it our duty to proclaim the word of God to all, to bring new communities into being within the people of God, to foster their growth and to promote communion among them as well as with the whole Church. We work first and foremost where the Gospel has not been preached at all or only insufficiently and where the local church is not viable on its’ own. Other tasks must be oriented towards these primary aims.” (SVD Constitutions)

Formation:

POSTULANCY: Postulancy is seen as the first of experience of community life for the candidate. It is a time to deepen the understanding of his own vocation, and to experience religious missionary life in the community.

NOVITIATE: Novitiate provides a special time and environment for the nurturing and deepening of his growing vocation. The Novitiate will build upon what is already underway in a person’s life.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME: The academic program is based in Box Hill, Victoria. We study philosophy and theology at the Yarra Theological Union College (YTU). We also combine this with pastoral exposure. Students need to fulfill two or three years OTP course (Overseas Training Program). Some students undertake professional courses at universities. 

We invite you to follow Jesus Christ.  Be a Divine Word missionary for Christ’s mission is our mission.  Join us and you will be happy to fulfill your missionary dream of working with God’s own people!

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr. Viet Nguyen SVD
Divine Word Missionaries
Residential Address: 199 Epping Rd, Marsfield NSW 2122
Postal address: Locked Bag 3, Epping NSW 1710

Email: svdvocations@divineword.com.au 

Tel: +61 (02) 9868 9062

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

The Dominican Story
 

St Dominic de Guzman founded his Order of Preachers in 1216, to respond to a desperate need for sound, orthodox preaching in the face of a fatally confused notion of God, of Christ and his Church. His vision grew as he saw the need for sound preaching for the whole Church in every age. St Dominic's age was not unlike our own - one in need of a new evangelisation with so many baptised Catholics so far from their faith. The Friars Preachers were to be modern apostles, sent out to the rest of the world to preach the truth of the one God who revealed himself in the Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Mission and Ministry:

The Dominicans were founded, from the beginning, "..especially for preaching and the salvation of souls." Because of this, we Dominicans offer ourselves in a new way to the universal Church, dedicating ourselves entirely to the complete evangelisation of the Word of God to all men and women, groups and communities, believers and non-believers and especially the poor. Attentive to the dynamism of modern society, we insist on the necessity of establishing our preaching on the new experiences and realities that contemporary men and women daily bring to the Christian faith.

Formation:

In answer to the question: "What would you look for in an aspiring Dominican?", Fr Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Master of the Order 1992-2001, replied as follows: "A certain passion for life; that he should want passionately to understand the Scriptures; that he should passionately want to care for people .. but also curiosity. He should be puzzled by things, always questioning and not fobbed off by easy answers .. and prayer. Without the well-spring of prayer, one would run dry and have nothing worth saying."

Candidates are not normally admitted to the Novitiate earlier than the year in which their nineteenth birthday occurs. Candidates for priestly ministry need to be capable of tertiary study, and those for the brothers' life for study and training to develop their natural talents. The life of a Dominican calls for men who enjoy normal good health of mind and body.

Formation within the Dominican Order is a life-long process. Every friar is called to constant conversion; his vocation must mature continuously as he makes his own the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is, however, an initial period wherein the basic values and ideas of the Dominican charism are laid down. This we call initial formation.

The first year is called the Novitiate. This engages the novice in the dynamics of community living, and challenges him about the importance of concern for and openness with his brothers. In the Novitiate, he studies the theology of the vows, Dominican history, the Constitutions of the Order, the liturgy and various ways of prayer. The novice is called to live and love life to the full as if he had taken the vows already.

The Novitiate concludes with profession of simple (temporary) vows. For those called to the ministerial priesthood, formal academic studies begin in Melbourne. The initial academic programme lasts for six years and can lead to post-graduate study. The six years include a year of full-time pastoral work. Throughout the initial programme, each student participates in some form of supervised pastoral work.

Following a common Novitiate with the clerical novices, the friars called to the brothers' life begin a period of education and training which is individually arranged to equip them for their diverse roles in the life of the Province.

Once a brother has completed his first three years in simple vows, he may apply to take vows for life: Solemn vows, as we call them. Clerical brothers in Solemn vows are ordained to the Diaconate at the completion of their studies. Usually, a friar-deacon will spend a year exercising the ministry he received at ordination. He then proceeds to the Presbyterate (Priesthood).

VOCATION INFORMATION:

For more information about the Dominicans, please contact:

Fr Dominic Murphy, O.P.
Provincial Promoter of Vocations
St James' Priory
2 Woolley Street
Glebe NSW 2037

Phone: (02) 9660 9839
Fax: (02) 9660 3241
Mobile: 0418 245 394

Email:dom.murphy@op.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 FRIARS - OFM STORY
 

In 1206, during his trial for theft, Francis of Assisi stripped himself naked and declared he was in debt to no-one except his Father in Heaven. That act startled many people but it also started many thinking.

As Francis wandered the towns of central Italy in a life of complete simplicity patterned on the Gospels, he attracted followers who were inspired to join him and become what Francis called "Fools for God" and "Herald's of God's peace."

They became known as the "little brothers" or "Friars Minor" and, together with Francis, lived a life of the Gospel, showing to those around them the values of peace, simplicity, joy and respect for the environment they learned from Christ. Tens of Thousands have joined that movement in the centuries since and the friars of Australia keep alive the vision of Francis of Assisi in this land.

Mission and ministry:

Francis had no particular mission or task in mind for his friars - as long as they did some sort of work. For us still today, "what" one does is not nearly so important as "how" one does it. For us, the priority is a life in Gospel brotherhood that shows the Franciscan virtues of peace, joy and compassion. Our first mission is to be brothers - not just to ourselves but to all.

This means we try and use the gifts and talents that a person brings to us and that friars can be either ordained or not. Some of us might be priests but all of us are brothers.

Some of the ministries in which Australian Friars serve are:

• Providing counselling and assistance to young people in need
• Serving as Pastors in parishes around Australia
• Chaplains in hospitals and schools
• Working with migrants and refugees
• Lecturing at tertiary level and teaching in schools
• Counselling for families in difficulty
• Operating a printing business
• Librarians
• Ethicist at a hospital
• Assisting the homeless with food
• Involvement with environmental groups
• Nursing
• Working with the Deaf...

and whatever job you might bring!

Formation:

Learning to be a friar is largely done on the job - by living as a friar in a community with other friars. By living as one of us, you will come to know the message of Francis and the Gospel lifestyle and also come to discern whether this is a lifestyle to which you are suited. Some times in formation will be more given to study, others to prayer and others to work.

We ask to know you for some time before joining us - and for you to know us too! After an initial experience living with us for a year, you would spend a spiritual year in novitiate before spending 3-6 years "trying out" a vowed lifestyle while you undertook studies and preparation for your ministry. This might involve university study, apprenticeship or occupational training depending on your own skills and talents.

During this time, you are encouraged to grow as a human, Christian and Franciscan and be confident in any choice you might make to live as a follower of Francis for life.

VOCATION INFORMATION:

Fr Paul Ghanem ofm
Vocation Director
47 Victoria Street
Waverley NSW 2024

vocations@franciscans.org.au

Ph: (02) 9369 9369
Monile: 0408 163 257

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: