Mass for the Jubilees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Our Lady’s Church, Maidstone,
on Saturday, 27th May, 2006, at 2.00pm,

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In fullness of peace and hope we come to thank God for the gifts of so many vocations to the Sisters of Saint Joseph given 25, 50, 60 and 70 years ago.

Each Sister in her own heart responded to the Lord’s call with the answer, “Here am I Lord.  Send me”.  Coming often from far away, they embraced the life of prayer and faithfulness and placed themselves at the service of the young people in our schools for all these years, often undertaking another ministry for part of it.

With these Sisters and their families, the Josephite community, and so many friends, we gather to praise and thank our God for the gifts he has given in each of these Sisters and to commend their faithfulness as a light to us all.

In calling to mind our sins, let us remember that Jesus is the light of the world, whom religious announce by prayer, work and service.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we are united in thanksgiving for the gift of religious life in the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  In a particular way, the Sisters have shared in the lives of people in so many of our parishes.  Their vocation has always been to walk with God’s people, to teach in schools, prepare for Sacraments, and through compassion and goodness to be the instruments of hope that this world has so sorely needed for 25, 50, 60 or 70 years.

My abiding memory of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is precisely that, of faithfulness, walking with the people, goodness to priests, humbly seeking to serve, and to be a light of encouragement and goodness to our people.

I congratulate the Sisters who are celebrating Jubilees.  May you always remain faithful to Jesus Christ, our Lord, and witness to him.  May the Church long continue to be supported by your prayers and goodness.

This is an appropriate occasion to praise the Lord and thank him for the precious gift represented by consecrated life.  In the same way, it is an incentive to encourage in all people to know the knowledge and esteem for those who are totally consecrated to God. 

My Sisters, at your profession you gave yourselves completely to God.  He must be your first focus and just as Jesus’ life in his obedience and dedication to the Father is a living parable of “God with us”, so the concrete dedication of consecrated persons to God and to their brothers and sisters is a reminder to the people of today that God’s kingdom is present and active. 

There is no place in the world for secular religious.  Our consecration through poverty, chastity and obedience is total and by the witness that we give we remind the world of a higher life.  Often I think as I visit somewhere, will people be more drawn to Jesus by my words and deeds?  Will the light of the Gospel shine more fully?

Sisters, your way of living and working expresses a full belonging to the one Lord, because you place yourself without reserves in the hands of Christ and of the Church and this tells people in a language they can understand that God is present.

Consecrated people are like watchmen among the people of God, who perceive and proclaim the new life already present in our history.  With Mary, we can say, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.”

May we join fruitfully and joyfully with these Sisters in bringing their thanksgiving to the God whose word we have heard and whose Eucharist we celebrate for the salvation of all.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.