The Sisters of Saint Joseph have elected a new congregational leadership team to carry forward the congregation’s vision and directions over the next five years.
Current congregational leader Sr Monica Cavanagh announced that the members of the general chapter, held at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre in the Sydney suburb of Baulkham Hills from October 1-22, elected Sr Josephine Dubiel as the congregational leader.
Sisters Brigette Sipa, Mary Ellen O’Donoghue, Catherine Mead and Susan Connelly were elected as the other members of the congregational leadership team.
Members of the chapter considered the available skills and experience as well as the current needs of the congregation as together they discerned the leadership to best progress the congregation’s future directions.
“The direction statement “Let the Yeast Rise” (Luke 13:21), created during the chapter process, is grounded in the Sisters’ lives in God’s mission with an emphasis on a prophetic stance for inclusion,” the Sisters said in a media statement.
“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.”
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart order was founded in Penola, South Australia, in 1866, by St Mary MacKillop and English priest Fr Julian Tenison Woods with the first general chapter held 150 years ago in Kensington, South Australia.
Sisters today minister throughout Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Peru and Brazil. The new leadership team will officially take up their duties on February 1, 2026.
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Sisters of Saint Joseph Elect New Congregational Leadership Team (Sisters of Saint Joseph)
