The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart gathered for a Mass for “Handing on Leadership” at Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney on Sunday.
The new congregational leadership team, consisting of Sr Josephine Dubiel as congregational leader with Srs Brigette Sipa, Mary Ellen O’Donoghue, Catherine Mead, and Susan Connelly, will take forward the vision and directions of the Congregation for the next five years.
Completing their term of office were Sr Monica Cavanagh, who served for 12 years as congregational leader, Sr Louise Reeves and Sr Clare Conaglen.
Attended by Sisters, family, friends, staff and supporters, the Mass offered a moment to pause in gratitude for the ministry of the outgoing congregational leadership team.
It was also an opportunity to ritualise the handing on of leadership within the context of the direction set by the Sisters’ 28th General Chapter, which called for a “prophetic stance of Inclusion”.
Sr Josephine, as the new congregational leader, invited attendees to stand and commit to the living the Spirit of the 28th General Chapter.
“We look forward now to evolving the Chapter directive, of a prophetic stance of inclusion during the next five years,” Sr Josephine said. “As we do that, we are inspired by Mary MacKillop’s promise that in ‘St Joseph’s care I leave you’.”
The 28th General Chapter Direction statement, Let the Yeast Rise (Luke 13:21), was created during the Chapter process in October 2025.
The Chapter Members recognised that in the context of a world where truth and trust are diminished and separation and exclusion prevail, a renewed commitment to contemplative action enables them to bring about healing and hope wherever they find themselves.
FULL STORY
Mass for Handing on Leadership Much for which to be grateful ( 508 KB ) (Sisters of Saint Joseph)
