The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart have commissioned a new Congregational Leadership Team at a Mass for Handing on Leadership celebrated earlier this month at the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney.
The new Congregational Leadership Team comprises Sister Josephine Dubiel as Congregational Leader, supported by Sisters Brigette Sipa, Mary Ellen O’Donoghue, Catherine Mead, and Susan Connelly. Together, they will take forward the vision and directions of the Congregation for the next five years.
Completing their term of office were Sister Monica Cavanagh, who served 12 years as Congregational Leader, Sister Louise Reeves and Sister Clare Conaglen.
The Mass, attended by Sisters, family, friends, staff and supporters, celebrated the ministry of the outgoing Congregational Leadership Team and the transfer of leadership under the context of embracing a “prophetic stance of Inclusion” set by the Sister’s 28th General Chapter.
In welcoming the new leadership team, Sister Monica said, “the heart of our Congregation has never rested in one person, or one team. It lives in our shared purpose, our shared faith and our willingness to keep walking together. As this leadership term closes and another begins, I trust deeply that the permeating Spirit who has guided us so faithfully, will continue to lead us forward with a heart for mission.”
Responding as the new Congregational Leader, Sister Josephine said, “we look forward now to evolving the Chapter directive, of a prophetic stance of Inclusion during the next five years. 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.