Platinum Josephite Jubilarian Sr Teresa Keane rsj has recently joined Sisters from across Australia, Ireland and New Zealand in celebrating their Tanzanite (80 years), Tourmaline (75 years) and Platinum (70 years) Jubilees of Religious Profession.
Seven Jubilarians from this group of 21 Sisters gathered at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney where they were welcomed by Sisters of Saint Joseph Congregational Leader, Sr Monica Cavanagh, fellow Sisters, family and friends.
Speaking to The Record, Sr Teresa said in the late 1940s, Josephite Sisters from Australia visited Ireland to recruit for candidates who might be discerning a call to religious life.
“They visited schools and the families of girls who were interested. I had just completed primary school and my desire was to become a teaching Sister. It was an answer to prayer as that avenue seemed out of reach for me at the time,” Sr Teresa said.
After teaching for 40 years, including principalship for many of these, Sr Teresa says she took time out to prepare for another ministry while her enthusiasm was still strong.
“I went to All Hallows in Dublin for a year to prepare for parish ministry. It was home and it was magic. I had been home on holidays in Ireland a few times before this, the first one 21 years after first leaving.
“A 30 day’s retreat at St Beuno’s in Wales was also a highlight of many spirituality opportunities I enjoyed after Vatican II,” she said.
Parish pastoral associate work took Sr Teresa to Orange in New South Wales for seven years and to Bombala/Delegate for 11 years where she had the privilege of working with very pastorally minded priests.
“In between these two appointments, I requested time to live and minister in Ireland. I did voluntary pastoral work for four years while having precious time to be close to my family.
“I am now living in Western Australia, but all my public ministry years were spent in NSW.
The reason? Two younger siblings also joined the Josephites. After some years in NSW, they both volunteered to join our Kimberly mission.
2021 was the year Sr Teresa and her siblings had chosen to retire to internal ministry in NSW.
However, her sister Margaret passed away before Sr Teresa could see her again.
“Both she and my other sister Betty loved this place, the Sisters and their connections here. Nor did I want to leave the place where Margaret’s spirit was so tangible.”
Sr Teresa requested to stay in WA and was warmly welcomed by all the Sisters in the region.
“And so, I am celebrating my platinum jubilee in WA and rejoicing not only in the original call to religious life but in the many quite extraordinary and unexpected things that have graced my life.
“I am grateful to be among the small group that have lived to celebrate our Platinum Jubilee and to be still actively involved in community care of people.