The Sisters of Saint Joseph have farewelled their large community house in New Town, Tasmania, after 57 years.
Known as St Joseph’s and situated in Thirza Street, this building was blessed and opened by Archbishop Guilford Young in 1968 and operated as a nursing home and hostel for Sisters of Saint Joseph.
As time went on, hospitality was also offered to members of other religious congregations and relatives and friends of the Sisters during times of illness.
By 1989, it was obvious that St Joseph’s was too small to be eligible for further government funding, so the building became home to a community of Sisters. The house was extended and renovated in 1999 and has been home for many Sisters who have offered hospitality to many others over the years.
Now, with only two Sisters living in the community, the building was officially farewelled in February with a ritual and the sharing of stories over afternoon tea.
Sr Sue McGuinness, Regional Leader of the Victoria-Tasmania Region, spoke of it being yet another significant moment in the Tasmanian story of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
“We are closing a building, not the presence of the Sisters in Tasmania,” Sr McGuinness said.
“The story will be continued in different ways through all the ministry that has been enabled from this place and through the lives of the people who have been captured by the Josephite charism.”
During the ritual, various symbols were placed on a central focus to acknowledge the “letting go” of 57 years of experiencing community, hospitality, compassion and belonging in this place.
A significant symbol was the removal of the sign “Srs of St Joseph” from the front door by Congregational Leader, Sr Monica Cavanagh, who spoke of the “creative courage” of the Sisters in deciding that the time had come to relinquish ownership of the building.
“This creative courage comes from a genuine desire to relieve suffering and bring hope and we are pleased to be able to donate the contents of the building to St Vincent de Paul for use in their new project of offering housing to homeless women in Hobart.”
FULL STORY
Farewell to St Joseph’s in Tasmania (By Sr Carmel Jones RSJ, Sisters of Saint Joseph)
