Celebration of Fusion

of the

Sisters of St Joseph Perthville

with the

Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

3rd May, 2014

St Joseph’s Convent, Perthville

We were founded with vision and courageprecisely to undertake a new experimentto live as religious had not lived before,

and to work under conditionsthat had not been experienced before.

The first Sisters of St Joseph sensed the spirit of a new worldin a way that has left its mark

on the history of Australia and New Zealand.

We who have taken up the task of thefirst sisters of St Joseph

must press on into each age as it unfoldsin a like spirit of daring,

strong in our commitment to love.

Drawing on the past,we will never take refuge in the past,

but together, in partnership with the Holy spirit,we will confront the world of the future fearlessly

to bend that futureto the dynamic purpose of the Creator.

Constitutions of the Australian-New Zealand Federation

of Sisters of St. Joseph 1969

Celebrant - Bishop Michael McKenna

Concelebrants - Bishop Kevin Manning, Fathers Doug Akehurst cm, Tim Cahill, Joe Dooley, Philip Filby, Owen Gibbons, Joshy Kaithakulangara cmi, Garry McKeown, Augustine Matthew cmi, Mark McGuigan, Brien Murphy, Martin O’Mahoney, Pat Ruane, Maurice Sullivan cm, Greg Walsh cm, Michael Walsh cm.

Musicians - Josephite Sisters and the Perthville Chapel Choir

Sister Monica Cavanagh - Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Final Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Perthville -Sisters Therese McGarry, Margaret Flood, Maureen Sanderson, Maria Sullivan.

1974 M Cecilia Bray 1975 M Gerard Brady 1976 M Felicitas O’Donnell 1976 M Martina Godfrey 1977 M Tarcisius Lynch 1979 M Bede Crowley 1979 M Teresita Flynn 1980 M Eymard Collins 1980 M Canice Collins 1980 Marie Anthony McAneney1981 M Pascal Cavanagh 1981 M Clotilde Collacott 1981 M Eugenie Glawson 1981 M Joseph Walsh 1982 Teresa Maria Carey 1982 M Aquinas Clancy 1983 Mary Ryan 1983 M Dorothea Kiely 1983 M Alphonsus Callaghan 1984 M Cyril Dalton 1984 M Perpetua Thomas 1985 M Josepha Breen 1986 M Maria Joseph Looney 1986 M Augustine Relihan 1987 M Kostka Sloane 1988 M Rita Fitzgerald 1989 M Raymond White 1989 Philomena Gearon 1989 M Brenda Crowe 1990 M Benedict Gummer 1991 M Camillus Whitehead 1992 M Lucy White 1992 M Paula Pini 1993 Marie Agnes Collins 1993 M Conrad Crowley 1993 M Stanislaus Crowley 1993 M Basil Middleton1994 M Declan Crotty 1994 M Enda Skelly 1994 M Peter Griffin 1995 Catherine Dykes 1995 M Berchmans Lennox

1996 Patricia Dunne 1996 M Ignatius Murray 1996 Janice Ryder 1996 Joan Williams 1997 M Thomas Milliss 1997 M Cletus Tomlinson 1997 M Fidelis Kennedy 1998 M Alphonsa McAneney 1998 M Luigi Logan 1998 M Martha Clarke 1999 M Sabina Johnstone 2000 M Kieran Hudson 2000 M Julian Aubrey 2001 Anne Fitzgerald 2001 Winifride Turner 2002 M Laurence Morrissey 2002 Mary O’Leary 2003 Marie Kelly 2003 M Ephrem Nagle 2003 Thelma Pellitt 2005 Veronica Pattison 2005 M Vianney Andrews 2005 Marie Williams 2007 Margaret Schiemer 2009 Aidan Commins 2009 Leo Ryan 2009 Marie Therese Slattery 2010 Mary Gearon 2010 Jennifer Buckley 2010 Paula Wilson 2010 Elizabeth Dowton 2011 M Philippa Collins 2011 Margaret Press 2011 Catherine Ryan 2012 Mary Maloney 2012 Kathleen Murnane 2012 Mary Farrell 2012 Marie Pattison 2013 Chanel O’Neal 2013 Clare Askew 2013 Gemma Castello

Cover Design - Leonie Mann and Jacqueline Chan

Sisters of St Joseph, Perthville 2014

Margaret Baker

Margaret Bolger

Madeline Breen

Jean Cain

Betty Carroll

June Cleary

Mary Comer

Sheila Conliffe

Ruth Croome

Kath English

Joan Farrell

Margaret Flood

Marie Celine Gallagher

Winifred Gearon

Helena Grant

Mark Hagerty

Marie Hopper

Kathy Jennings

Janine Keatinge

Therese McGarry

Robyn McNamara

Ann Morrison

Christina Morrissey

Catherine O'Brien

Pat Ryan

Maureen Sanderson

Mary Schiemer

Maureen Schiemer

Regina Seigel

Carmel Sheridan

Alice Sullivan

Helen Sullivan

Maria Sullivan

Margaret Tomlinson

Fidelma Travis

Welcome to Country - Monica Ingam & Denise Doolan

Welcome and Introduction - Sr Therese McGarry

Introductory Rite

Entrance Procession - Richard Mason , Margaret Smith, Janice Tuena, Sr Catherine Shelton, Brian Turner, Sr Monica Cavanagh, Sr Maria Sullivan,

Christ be Our Light

Refrain Christ be our Light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light! Shine in your Church gathered today.

Longing for light, we wait in the darkness.Longing for truth we turn to you.Make us your own, your holy people,Light for the world to see.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.Longing for hope, many despair.Your word alone has power to save usMake us your living voice.

Longing for food, many are hungry.Longing for water, many still thirst.Make us your bread, broken for others,Shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.Longing for warmth, many are cold.Make us your building, sheltering others,Walls made of living stones.

Many the gifts, many the people,Many the hearts that yearn to belong.Let us be servants to one another,Making your Kingdom come.

© 1993 Bernadette Farrell. OCP Publications. Used with permission WOL License 1471

Greetings and Introduction - Bishop Michael McKenna

Blessing of Water and Sprinkling Rite

Water from the well at Perthville (Sister Therese McGarry) and from the Mary MacKillop well at North Sydney (Sister Monica Cavanagh), will be

poured into a common bowl, blessed and sprinkled on the Congregation as a reminder of our Baptismal commitment.

Blessing of Water

Dear sisters and brothers,let us ask our ever-living God

to bless this gift of creation, living waters,which will be sprinkled on us

as a memorial of our Baptism.May God bless us with the grace

to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.Ever-living God,

be pleased, we pray, to + bless this water.Renew the living spring of your grace within us

and grant that by this water we may be defendedfrom all ills of spirit and body,

and so approach you with hearts made whole and worthily receive your salvation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The sprinkling - Bishop Michael McKenna, Kittie Dwyer, Helen Ryan, Sr Karen Muir, Sr Anne Burke, Sr Bernie Evans rsm

During the sprinkling the congregation sings -

The Deeper River

There’s a river running deep within the silence of our soulswhere the quenching, healing waters carve their art. At its source a spring of living water surging and sustained;it’s the voice of Jesus waiting for the listening of our hearts.

Refrain Whenthelivingwatersflowinus,whenthe livingwatersflowagain,

theywillcarryus,theywillwashusdown, they will quench our thirst again.

Sometimes the river of our life winds wandering away.Sometimes the rapids tumble restlessly.Comes the time to stop and find the deeper river running strong,to drink refreshing waters and to hear the Spirit’s song.

Hear the call to thirsty people, there’s no need to thirst again. To the weary, come beside still waters lie.Full of goodness, full of mercy, our cup will overflow,when the call of that deep river is a voice we’ve come to know.

© 1994 Digby Hannah. Willow Connection.Used with permission WOL License 1471

Prayer After Sprinkling

May Almighty God cleanse us of our sins and through the celebration of this Eucharist make us worthy to share

at the table of his kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Gloria - Mass of St Francis

Opening Prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession

your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation,

whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading - 1Peter 3: 8-15 - Sr Maureen Sanderson

This “Epistle of the Institute” was chosen by Fr Julian Woods and appears as part of the Rule and associated documents at the beginning of the

Institute in Adelaide.

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 89

Cantor,thenAll Iwillcelebrateyourloveforever,OGod, Ageonage,mywordsproclaimyourlove. ForIclaimthatloveisbuilttolastforever, Foundedfirmyourfaithfulness.

Cantor I have made a covenant with my chosen, given my servant my word. I have made your name to last forever, built to outlast all time. R

Happy the people who learn to acclaim you. They rejoice in your light. You are our glory and you are our courage. Our hope belongs to you. R They will call to me, ‘My Father! My God’ for I make them my firstborn ones. I cannot take back my given promise. I’ve called them to shine like the sun. R

© 1973 Words and music by Karen Barrie. Used with permission WOL License 1471

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia Alleluia How happy they who dwell in your house, O Lord; continually they sing your praise! Alleluia, Alleluia

Gospel - Mathew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Homily - Bishop Michael McKenna

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Response I do.

Ritual

Introduction - Sr Margaret Flood

We proceed now with a Ritual that proclaims Rome’s approval of our request to merge or fuse with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

The Decree will be read and the Perthville Sisters will be asked by their new Congregational leader, Sister Monica Cavanagh, to accept a new set of

Constitutions as their way of vowed life. They will be presented with a new emblem and will renew their vows

together with all Sisters of St Joseph present here and elsewhere via the web stream.

PROCLAMATION OF DECREE

CONGREGATIO Rev Dr Philip FilbyPRO INSTITUTIS VITAE CONSECRATAEET SOCIETATIBUS VITAE APOSTOLICAE

Prot.n. dd.28522/2013

DECREE

The Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Perthville, a religious Institute of diocesan right, whose Generalate is located in the Diocese of Bathurst, having obtained the favourable vote of its members, requests the Holy See to approve the fusion of this Institute with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a religious Institute of pontifical right, whose Generalate is in the Archdiocese of Sydney, for the reasons given.

The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, having carefully studied both the request and the letter with which the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart accepts this proposed fusion, and having obtained the consent of the Congresso of 28 February 2014, with this present Decree, in accordance with canon 582, authorises the fusion of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Perthville with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

All members of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Perthville who pass to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart remain in the same condition of religious profession in which they are at present. A new religious profession is not required.

Furthermore, all goods, both moveable and immoveable, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Perthville, shall be duly ascribed the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Special funds or pious bequests, if there be any, must be used for the purpose intended by the donor or testator; likewise, the rights of others, must be preserved intact insofar as the case demands.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at the Vatican, 19 March, 2014.Solemnity of St. Joseph

Jose Rodriguez Carballo, O.F.M. Joao Braz Card.de Aviz Archbishop Secretary Prefect

Sister Monica Cavanagh reads the names of the Perthville Sisters and as each name is read the Sister stands. Monica invites the Sisters to pray

together.

Creator God, you have been with us all on this journey of unity and discernment. We give you thanks that

your gentle guiding Spirit has led us to fusion. May our actions today bring hope and joy to all and lead to unity and reconciliation in our church and in our world. May we continue to minister to all in the spirit of Joseph our patron, and our founders St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

and Father Julian Tenison Woods.

The Sisters sit

Receiving the Constitutions - Sr Alice Sullivan, representing the Sisters comes forward.

Sister Monica CavanaghSisters, receive the Constitutions of The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. You have generously lived your religious life according to the way of life described in ‘A Future and A Hope’, the Constitutions of the Australian-New Zealand Federation of the Sisters of St Joseph. That same spirit, mission and charism are described in the Constitutions of The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. I invite you Sisters to accept these Constitutions as your way of consecrated life.

May the Constitutions inspire, encourage and strengthen you in your Josephite life as you continue to share in the Mission of Jesus and live generously with the spirit of Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods.

May these Constitutions come alive in you as you ‘serve in a variety of ministries of being and presence, of suffering and healing, of education and caring. Through these ministries may you continue to experience and revel God’s loving kindness’. (Constitutions n.4)

Sister …………. accepts the Book of Constitutions, on behalf of the Sisters.

Perthville SistersWe accept these Constitutions as our way of vowed life as Sisters of St Joseph and pray that with God’s help we will continue to live faithfully in the spirit of our co-founders, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods.

Receiving the Emblem

Sister Monica Cavanagh Sisters, yesterday you received the emblem of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a sign of your way of life as a consecrated religious.

Perthville Sisters

We will wear this emblem as a symbol of our membership of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and our commitment as Josephite women.

Words of Welcome - Monica Cavanagh

Renewal of Vows

Sister Monica Cavanagh invites all Sisters of St Joseph to stand and renew their vows:

Sisters of St Joseph Stand

As a Sister of St Joseph, and before all here present, I renew my vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.

Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and encouraged by the example of Mary and Joseph,

Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods, I commit myself wholeheartedly

to my way of life as a Sister of St Joseph and pledge to express this commitment

in generous service of God and God’s people.

Prayer of Intercession - John McNamara, Sr Helen Saunders , Rhonda Gleeson, Sr Ruth Croome, Marie Crowley, Greg Schiemer

Bishop We come together in praise and thankfulness for God’s goodness and love in our lives, let us bring to our God those intentions that are uppermost in our hearts today.

For the Church throughout the world, Pope Francis, Bishop Michael and all who minister and serve your people. May they know and appreciate God’s love in their lives. With faith we pray.

Response O Lord hear us we pray, O Lord give us your love.AllSing

For all of us gathered here today. May God continue to shower blessings upon us. With joy we pray. R

For Josephite Sisters throughout the world. May they, like the first Sisters of St Joseph, live in a like spirit of daring,

in partnership with our Creator God. With gratitude we pray. R

For our families, friends, associates, ex-students and partners in ministry who have walked with us on our journey. May the compassionate heart of God continue to hold each in gentle embrace. With love we pray. R

For all young people. May they be open and aware of God’s great love, enabling them to grow and respond to the needs of our times. With hope we pray. R

For all who have gone before us: our deceased Sisters of St Joseph, family, friends, benefactors and co-workers. May the light of the risen Christ shine on them forever. With trust we pray. R

Bishop Bless us loving and gracious God, with the grace of hope and fidelity as we continue to serve God’s people. We make our prayer through your Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

All Amen

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation of the Gifts - Sr Patricia Snudden, Sr Flo Snell, Jan McGuire, Brad Cooper, Sr Mary Baker, Robyn Finau, Paul Favero

Bread, wine and water for the Eucharist and produce from the Central West for distribution are carried in procession.

LetGod’sDreamBeBorn

Open hearts and open minds give the spirit freedom.Let God’s dream be born in us - let God’s dream be born. Hearts that wonder at the Word hear the Word with freedom.Let God’s Word be gently heard - let God’s Word be welcome.

Voice and hands that speak the Word give the Word with freedom.Let God’s truth be well explored - let God’s truth be spoken. Open hearts and open minds break the bread of freedom.Jesus, bread for all our needs, break our heart gifts open. Come, Lord Jesus, live in us, come to life among us.Let us breathe your Spirit free - be the gift we carry. Open hearts and open minds give the spirit freedom.Let God’s dream be born in us - let God’s dream be born.

© 1991 Kevin Bates. Used with permission WOL License 1471

Prayer over the Gifts

We pray, O Lord that, just as Saint Joseph served with loving care your Only Begotten Son,

born of the Virgin Mary, so we may be worthy to minister with a pure heart at your altar.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface

Holy Holy - Mass of St Francis

Eucharistic Prayer - Jesus The Compassion of God from Masses for Various Needs and Occasions

Memorial Acclamation

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Amen - Mass of St Francis

Lord’s Prayer

Sign of Peace

Lamb of God - Mass of St Francis

Communion Rite

WeGiveYouThanks

For the bread and wine we share here,For the friends that we embraceFor the peace we find in healingFor all who gather in this place,For the faith of those around usFor the dead and all those hereFor the hope we find in mem’ryFor the love that draws us near:

Refrain Wegiveyouthanks,wegiveyouthanks Forthegracetoreceive,inyouwebelieve, Wegiveyouthanks,wegiveyouthanks, With faith and hope and love we give you thanks.

For the movement deep within us,For the stories that we bringFor the signs of God’s compassion,For the journey that we sing,For the Word that holds our promise,For the gifts that we can claimFor the wonders that surround us,For the song that sings our name.

For the water bringing new life,For the fragrance of releaseFor the fire that blazes forwardFor the call to bring forth peace,For the blindness now enlightened,For the bound that now are free,For the brightness of your new day,For the kingdom we will be.

David Haas © 1998 GIA Used with permission WOL license 1471

TheMyst’ryIsThis

The myst’ry is this; Christ is among us.Christ our hope of Glory.The myst’ry is this; Christ is among us.How rich the ways of God.

©Michael Herry fms 1995 Used with permission

ComeWeaveYourDreamsSpirit of God, come weave your dreams R:ComeweaveyourdreamsIn marrow, joints and in between R:ComeweaveyourdreamsAnd sew in them our hearts, and sew in them our hearts.Spirit of God, come weave your dreams.R:Comeweaveyourdreams.

Come father mother of the poor, R Our endless overflowing store, R The source of all love’s arts, the source of all love’s arts.Come father mother of the poor. R

You are our comfort unsurpassed, R Contentment, as when home at last, R Refreshment when we thirst, refreshment when we thirst. You are our comfort unsurpassed. R

Words by Susan Connelly rsj – Music by Ann Fleming rsj

When we’re burdened, you are rest, R Keen to give at our request, R An energetic burst, an energetic burst.When we’re burdened, you are rest. R

Share with us Christ’s consciousness, R In whatever wilderness, R Send us, aim us true, send us, aim us true.Share with us Christ’s consciousness. R When we’re dull and unaware, R When we miss the mark, be there, R Guide our way anew, guide our way anew.When we’re dull and unaware. R

In our soul’s most hidden reach, R There you breathe and there you teach, R Dark but flaming night, dark but flaming night. In our soul’s most hidden reach. R

In the garb of everyday, R There you weave your gentle way, R Jesus’ mind and sight, Jesus’ mind and sight. In the garb of everyday. R

Bound by racing time and space, R Human mind cannot keep pace; R In loving awe we bow, in loving awe we bow.Bound by racing time and space. R

Absolute, you are beyond us, R Yet, within, the fire that bonds us; R Silent, you surround us, Silent, you surround.Absolute, you are beyond us. R

Prayer After Communion

Defend with unfailing protection, O Lord, we pray, the family you have nourished with food from this altar, as they rejoice at the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, and graciously keep safe your gifts among them. Through

Christ our Lord. Amen

Sister Monica Cavanagh missions the Perthville sisters to the NSW Region Sister Mary Ellen O’Donoghue welcomes the Perthville Sisters to the NSW

Region

Tribute to the Sisters of St Joseph Perthville - Mrs Judy Kilby

Concluding Rite

Solemn Blessing

Bow your heads and pray for God’s Blessing

Presider God is the glory and joy of St Joseph. May God’s blessing be with you always.All Amen

Presider May St Joseph’s example of holy living, turn your thoughts to service of God and neighbour.All Amen

Presider May the love of God unite you in God’s family, praising his name until you reach your eternal home.All Amen

Presider May almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless all who have taken part in these sacred celebrations.All Amen

Dismissal Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

All Thanks be to God.

Recessional

WeAreCalled

Come, live in the light!Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!We are called to be light for the kingdom,To live in the freedom of the city of God!

Refain Wearecalledtoactwithjustice, Wearecalledtolovetenderly, We are called to serve one another; TowalkhumblywithGod!.

Come! Open your heart!Show your mercy to all those in fear!We are called to be hope for the hopelessSo all hatred and blindness will be no more!

Sing, Sing a new song!Sing of that great day when all will be one!God will reign and we’ll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love!

David Haas © 1988 GIA Publications. Used with permission WOL license 1471

Fusion Celebration Grace

Reader Hospitable God, You gather us as friends for this celebration meal.

Response Giveusjoy-filledwelcominghearts!

Reader Generous God, You give us an abundance of the fruits of the Earth.

Response Giveusmindful,appreciativehearts!

Reader LovingGod,Youhold inbeingourfood,allwhoprepared it, allwho serve it and allwho shareit.

Response Giveusgladandgratefulhearts!Amen

Announcements and Grace - Sr Madeline Breen, Sr Robyn McNamara

HistoryofSistersofStJoseph,Perthville

The Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph was founded by Fr Julian Tenison Woods and St Mary MacKillop, (the first canonised saint of Australia) in Penola in South Australia in 1866. This was an Australian Religious Congregation especially suited to Australian conditions and needs and whose Rule was written by Father Woods.

As the Congregation expanded, the Mother House moved to Adelaide from where Mother Mary MacKillop continued as Superior General. In 1872, after a request from Bishop Matthew Quinn (Bishop of Bathurst), for Sisters to open schools in his vast diocese, three Sisters and one young lay woman made a foundation at The Vale (later renamed Perthville) - a village near Bathurst. Mother Mary MacKillop, as Superior General, visited the Sisters there twice during 1875. By 1876 when the Congregation had increased to over thirty Sisters, there were convents and schools established in six centres in the Diocese. However, Bishop Quinn did not agree with centralised government under the authority of the Superior General. The Bishop gave the sisters the choice of returning to Adelaide or remaining at the Vale under his jurisdiction. Consequently, in February 1876, seventeen Sisters returned to Adelaide while fourteen women remained at The Vale under the authority of Bishop Quinn. Of these there were two professed sisters (Sr Hyacinth being a member of the founding community), one novice and eleven postulants. Nine of the latter were recent postulants brought by Bishop Quinn from Ireland. This was the beginning of the Diocesan Sisters of St Joseph, with their Motherhouse at Perthville.

As a Diocesan Congregation under the authority of the Bishop, the Sisters of St Joseph expanded throughout the diocese of Bathurst. It was from The Vale that other Diocesan Congregations were founded: in New Zealand (1880), Goulburn NSW (1882), Lochinvar NSW (1883), Westbury, Tasmania (1887) and Bungaree Vic. (1891). Each of these Diocesan foundations came under the authority of the respective bishop.

In the main, the Perthville Sisters taught in the smaller centres in the Bathurst Diocese conducting Primary and Secondary Schools. They lived simply in small isolated communities, supported by community prayer and the generosity of the local people. Many communities had Mass only once

a week and those who did have a Priests in their parish provided them with kindly support. With dedication and extraordinary generosity, the Sisters took the message of the gospel to the corners of the extensive Diocese. (Until 1892 the diocese covered half of NSW with Bathurst on the eastern fringe). Often the Sisters met one another only once a year at Perthville when they gathered for an annual retreat and summer school.

Frequently without resources, and in trying conditions, the Perthville Josephite Sisters gave extraordinary service to the rural people of this inland Diocese. After the Sisters took over the running of the small Catholic school at The Vale in 1872 until more recent years, Catholic education and the teaching of music, in the country towns of the Bathurst diocese, along with conducting St Joseph’s College, Perthville – a boarding college for girls predominantly from rural towns, has been the major ministry of the Congregation. To that end sixty foundations were made during the years 1872 to 1992, including foundations in PNG. The Sisters were welcomed, supported and loved in the small communities, frequently seen walking to visit the families of the school children and people in hospital.

In response to the directives of the Second Vatican Council, the Congregation over several years revised the Rule, saw to the updating of modes of dress and various customs, initiated means of the sisters coming to a deeper understanding of the vowed religious life and encouraged ways of personal renewal in the spirit of the Council. Significant among other changes following the Council was the establishment of The Australian-New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph in 1967. As a Federation of the various Diocesan Sisters of St Joseph, it brought together those foundations which had their beginnings at The Vale.

After the Second Vatican Council the Sisters were exhorted to return to the original charism of their founding, and to make a preferential option for the poor. New ministries developed alongside the school ministry. Lay people began to find employment in the schools with the assistance of State Aid to Catholic Education and some Sisters moved into more marginalised ministries. The present work of the Sisters covers a diversity of ministry including Adult Faith Education, Caring for the Aged, Operation of a Retreat and Conference Centre, Pastoral Work in Parishes and Aged Care Facilities, Visitation of the Sick, Aged and Bereaved, Ministry to

Refugees, Administration of Congregational Affairs and Catholic Education and School Administration. The facilitation of the Josephite Foundation No Interest Loans Scheme has also become a priority of the Congregation.

The decision to seek merger/fusion with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart came after many years engaged with other Josephite sisters in shared endeavours, justice initiatives, ministry, meetings, exploring our histories and combined Josephite Retreats and Pilgrimages. A more intensive process of ‘Strengthening our Unity as Sisters of St Joseph’ began in 2011. The Canonisation in 2010 of our co-founder Mary MacKillop was a rich, inclusive experience of being Sisters of St Joseph together. Three Federation Congregations (Tasmania and Goulburn in 2012, Whanganui NZ in 2013) have previously fused with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

No history of the Perthville Sisters of St Joseph is possible without recognising the close and mutually enriching relationship between the families, the priests and the sisters within the Diocese. Without the amazing connection of friendship, shared vision, dreams, sorrows, joys, failures and achievements, this story would not be possible. As Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart the Perthville sisters will continue to journey with the people of the Bathurst Diocese as we all move together into the future with faith and hope.

Our Josephite Future has been the focus of intensive reading, reflection and discernment for the Perthville Josephite Sisters as we considered our future as a Diocesan Congregation. Our discernment led to our Chapter decision of July 15, 2013 to seek fusion with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, to engage in the process of our two communities joining together to form a single entity. The Vatican Decree dated 19th March 2014, the feast of our patron St Joseph, authorised our fusion. The Perthville Congregation now takes on a new identity and becomes one with the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, from whom we were originally founded.

Deceased Sisters of St Joseph Perthville 1876-20131876 M Teresa McDonald1877 M Aloysius Braham 1881 M Rose Hartnett 1887 Brigid Mary Power 1890 M Beatrice Carroll 1890 M Kilian Purcell 1894 M Martina Sullivan 1894 M Martha Gray 1894 M Malachy Carmody 1894 M Kevin Power 1894 M Ursula Hackett 1894 M Francis Hadlock1895 M Ildephonsus Lynch 1896 M Agnes Mary Dwyer 1896 M Mathias Enright 1897 M Louis Sullivan 1898 M Marcellus O’Grady 1899 M Francis Cummins 1899 M Magdalen Norris1900 M Andrew Dwyer 1901 M Aquin Brady 1903 M Leo Webster 1905 M Liguori Nevin 1905 M Joseph Lyons 1908 M Ita Carroll 1909 M Thomas Sullivan 1910 M Berchmans Wallace 1911 M Columba Galvin 1911 M Veronica Cullen 1911 M Columbkille Bennett 1916 M Teresa Cooke 1917 M Monica Kennedy 1919 M Ildephonsus Renshall 1919 M Scholastica Martin 1919 M Dorothea Roarty 1919 M Angela McInerney 1920 M Stanislaus Ryan 1920 M Bernadine Glass 1921 M Julian Byrne 1921 M Joseph Sewell 1922 M Alphonsa Egan

1922 M Augustine Donelly 1922 M Augustine Fergus 1923 M Raphael Harnett 1923 M Levinus Fitzharris 1923 M Matthew Kennedy 1925 M Thecla Dennis 1926 M Germaine Gardiner 1926 M Gabriel Gunn 1928 M de Pazzi O’Brien 1929 M Catherine Wallace 1929 M Lawrence Clifton 1929 M Anthony O’Dea 1929 M Xavier McDonagh 1930 M Cecilia Keegan 1930 M Columbanus Dolby 1930 M Brendan Dowdall 1931 M Clotilde Jordan 1932 M James Sweeney 1932 M Agnes Renshaw 1934 M Immaculata Webster 1934 M Lucy Cuffe 1934 M Hyacinth O’Loughlin 1934 M Anselm Lyons 1934 M Michael Pedder 1935 M Edmund Madden 1935 M Josephine Saffrey 1935 M Ignatius O’Brien 1936 M Dominick Dwyer 1936 M John Clifton 1936 M Gertrude Herrick 1937 M Finian Hennessey 1937 M Alphonsus Herrick 1937 M Sebastian Carden 1938 M Marcellus Hanney 1938 M Felix Gainey 1938 M Damien Dennis 1938 M Michael Holt 1938 M Regis Forde 1939 M Camillus Thompson 1939 M Sylvester O’Connor 1939 M Pascal Campbell

1940 M Aloysius Webster 1940 M Boniface Mahon1940 M Winifred Carroll 1940 M Borgia McKeown 1941 M Paulinus Farrington 1941 M Benedict Hickey 1942 M Jerome Kelly 1942 M Clement Conway 1942 M Fabian Baker 1943 M Paul Broderick 1943 M Alacoque Maloney 1945 M Brigid Toner 1945 M Madeline Breen 1945 Margaret Mary Markey 1946 M Pius Breen 1946 M Clare Byrne 1947 M Gabrielle McCarthy 1947 M Imelda Markham 1947 M Agatha Doyle 1947 M Philomena Hanney 1947 M Vincent Cleary 1948 M Loyola Ryan 1948 M Genevieve Dalton 1948 M Borromeo McMahon 1949 Brigid Mary Gleeson 1949 Margaret Mary Carden 1949 M Columba Sweeney 1950 M Hilda Sharkey 1950 M John Meagher 1950 M Dympna Foody 1950 M Bernard Brightman 1950 M Elizabeth Midlane 1951 M Leonard Nevin 1951 M Evangelist Donnelly 1951 M Bernadette Carroll 1952 M de Paul Fitzgerald 1952 M Ambrose Power 1952 M Loretto McHugh 1953 M Mechtilde Dulhunty 1953 M Celestine Combes 1953 M Nolasco Brightman 1953 M Patrick Dwyer

1953 M Joan Healy 1954 Joseph Mary Bowler 1955 M Adrian Fisher 1956 M Killian Horan 1956 M Zita Dwyer1956 M Cecilia Higgins1957 M de Sales Markham 1958 M St Roch Crowley 1958 M Majella White 1959 M Barbara Gleeson 1959 M Le Merci Steere 1959 M Assissium Dwyer 1959 M Gonzaga O’Connell 1959 M Benedicta Fitzgerald 1959 Gertrude Mary O’Connor1959 M Francis Morrissey 1959 M Justinian Flanagan 1959 M Rose Healy 1959 M Malachy McGrath 1960 M Ursula Tuohy 1962 M Ita Conlon 1962 Agnes Mary Burke 1963 M Margaret Midlane 1963 M Seraphim Lynch 1963 M Carmel O’Connell 1965 M Kevin Crowley 1965 M Dominca Stapleton 1965 M Magdalen O’Halloran 1966 M Rosarii Stapleton 1967 M Alexius Spilling 1969 M Patricia Carey 1969 M Celsus Lennox 1969 M Reginald Byrne 1970 M Beatrice Traynor 1971 M Martin O’Connor 1972 Francis Mary White 1972 M Veronica Gleeson 1972 M Antonia Fitzpatrick 1973 M Monica Hudson 1973 M Angela Leabeater 1974 M Raphael Sullivan 1974 M Liguori Stokes

Celebrant - Bishop Michael McKenna

Concelebrants - Bishop Kevin Manning, Fathers Doug Akehurst cm, Tim Cahill, Joe Dooley, Philip Filby, Owen Gibbons, Joshy Kaithakulangara cmi, Garry McKeown, Augustine Matthew cmi, Mark McGuigan, Brien Murphy, Martin O’Mahoney, Pat Ruane, Maurice Sullivan cm, Greg Walsh cm, Michael Walsh cm.

Musicians - Josephite Sisters and the Perthville Chapel Choir

Sister Monica Cavanagh - Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Final Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Perthville -Sisters Therese McGarry, Margaret Flood, Maureen Sanderson, Maria Sullivan.

1974 M Cecilia Bray 1975 M Gerard Brady 1976 M Felicitas O’Donnell 1976 M Martina Godfrey 1977 M Tarcisius Lynch 1979 M Bede Crowley 1979 M Teresita Flynn 1980 M Eymard Collins 1980 M Canice Collins 1980 Marie Anthony McAneney1981 M Pascal Cavanagh 1981 M Clotilde Collacott 1981 M Eugenie Glawson 1981 M Joseph Walsh 1982 Teresa Maria Carey 1982 M Aquinas Clancy 1983 Mary Ryan 1983 M Dorothea Kiely 1983 M Alphonsus Callaghan 1984 M Cyril Dalton 1984 M Perpetua Thomas 1985 M Josepha Breen 1986 M Maria Joseph Looney 1986 M Augustine Relihan 1987 M Kostka Sloane 1988 M Rita Fitzgerald 1989 M Raymond White 1989 Philomena Gearon 1989 M Brenda Crowe 1990 M Benedict Gummer 1991 M Camillus Whitehead 1992 M Lucy White 1992 M Paula Pini 1993 Marie Agnes Collins 1993 M Conrad Crowley 1993 M Stanislaus Crowley 1993 M Basil Middleton1994 M Declan Crotty 1994 M Enda Skelly 1994 M Peter Griffin 1995 Catherine Dykes 1995 M Berchmans Lennox

1996 Patricia Dunne 1996 M Ignatius Murray 1996 Janice Ryder 1996 Joan Williams 1997 M Thomas Milliss 1997 M Cletus Tomlinson 1997 M Fidelis Kennedy 1998 M Alphonsa McAneney 1998 M Luigi Logan 1998 M Martha Clarke 1999 M Sabina Johnstone 2000 M Kieran Hudson 2000 M Julian Aubrey 2001 Anne Fitzgerald 2001 Winifride Turner 2002 M Laurence Morrissey 2002 Mary O’Leary 2003 Marie Kelly 2003 M Ephrem Nagle 2003 Thelma Pellitt 2005 Veronica Pattison 2005 M Vianney Andrews 2005 Marie Williams 2007 Margaret Schiemer 2009 Aidan Commins 2009 Leo Ryan 2009 Marie Therese Slattery 2010 Mary Gearon 2010 Jennifer Buckley 2010 Paula Wilson 2010 Elizabeth Dowton 2011 M Philippa Collins 2011 Margaret Press 2011 Catherine Ryan 2012 Mary Maloney 2012 Kathleen Murnane 2012 Mary Farrell 2012 Marie Pattison 2013 Chanel O’Neal 2013 Clare Askew 2013 Gemma Castello

Cover Design - Leonie Mann and Jacqueline Chan

Celebration of Fusion

of the

Sisters of St Joseph Perthville

with the

Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

3rd May, 2014

St Joseph’s Convent, Perthville

We were founded with vision and courageprecisely to undertake a new experimentto live as religious had not lived before,

and to work under conditionsthat had not been experienced before.

The first Sisters of St Joseph sensed the spirit of a new worldin a way that has left its mark

on the history of Australia and New Zealand.

We who have taken up the task of thefirst sisters of St Joseph

must press on into each age as it unfoldsin a like spirit of daring,

strong in our commitment to love.

Drawing on the past,we will never take refuge in the past,

but together, in partnership with the Holy spirit,we will confront the world of the future fearlessly

to bend that futureto the dynamic purpose of the Creator.

Constitutions of the Australian-New Zealand Federation

of Sisters of St. Joseph 1969