The Sisters of Saint Joseph have officially said farewell to the Sale Diocese after 120 years of faithful service to the Gippsland region.
Victoria-Tasmanian regional leader Sr Sue McGuinness RSJ and 21 sisters made their way to St Joseph’s in Warragul, Victoria, on January 31 for the farewell.
Sr Madeleine White’s move to Melbourne at the end of 2022 marked the end of the Josephite presence in Gippsland. At the time, Bishop Greg Bennet expressed a wish to celebrate with and thank the sisters for their service to the Diocese. Bishop Bennet joked that he had failed his KPIs by losing the three last sisters in the Diocese after he arrived.
Many of the diocesan clergy were present to thank the sisters in a celebration of the Eucharist.
While lamenting the sisters’ move from the diocese, Bishop Bennet spoke fondly of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and thanked them for their many years of service. He particularly noted the support and friendship provided to the priests of the diocese often in remote and isolated places.
Gippsland was a significant area of service for the sisters, who were present in 28 communities within the 27 parishes.
FULL STORY
Goodbye Gippsland (By Sr Geraldine Larkins RSJ, Sisters of Saint Joseph)
