The Sisters of St Joseph have recently launched their 2014 Christmas Appeal, stating that donations make a genuine difference in the lives of real people.
Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart Congregational Leader, Sister Monica Cavanagh, said financial assistance over many years has enabled the Sisters of St Joseph to continue to provide the many programs that have benefited so many deserving people over so many years.
“These donations make a genuine difference in the lives of real people who are in deep need,” Sr Monica said.
“Support from people like you enables us to assist those facing crisis, disadvantage, and poverty.”
“There is so much work to be done and so, in addition to our usual fundraising, we’re launching a special Christmas appeal so that we can provide additional support and help at this very special time of year,” she said.
In a statement to launch the appeal, Sr Monica shared this story.
Two days before Christmas, just weeks after completing Year 12, Jason found his father passed away at home. Knowing that he had already lost his mother, our local Reconnect Worker, Michelle, helped him organise the funeral, supported him with his immediate domestic needs and worked with him to develop a plan for his future.
However, this story is deeper than an immediate response to a tragic situation. Through Mary MacKillop Rural Community Services, Michelle had previously worked with the family to help Jason’s father reconcile and accept his son’s passion and talent for music and opera singing.
Supporting his dreams, and conscious of the deep grief he was experiencing, Michelle continued to assist Jason as he applied for and subsequently won a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music and helped him prepare for university life.
Thanks to Michelle, Jason has begun his musical journey. He treasures the memory of seeing the tears of pride in his father’s eyes as he performed at his Year 12 Formal. Michelle is equally proud of this courageous and talented young man, and she continues to support Jason through his first year at university on the one-year anniversary of his father’s passing. *names have been changed to protect identity
Sr Monica went on to say that, through generous support, the Sisters of St Joseph and their volunteers can assist the many other young people like Jason who are suffering great grief and uncertainty.
“They can provide Indigenous families with access to improved health care and guidance on medical hygiene. Children in East Timor, who are desperate to learn to read and write, can be supported with trained teachers, engaged parents and excellent reading materials, to ensure they have a bright future ahead,” she said.
Some of the other successful projects your donation to the Sisters of St Joseph can support:
- Aiding the Sisters of St Joseph directly in the running of their community ministries, including a Counter Trafficking program for women who have been trafficked to Australia, operating soup kitchens for the homeless and providing support for the families of prisoners.
- Creating long-term, life-giving education and skills development for opportunities in Peru and East Timor through Mary MacKillop International.
- Awarding grants to small, life-changing projects through the Mary MacKillop Foundation, to help unknown Aussie heroes, and fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tertiary Scholarship.
- Providing counselling and guidance to people in emergency situations through the Pastoral Ministry at Mary MacKillop Place, the sacred site of the tomb of St Mary MacKillop.
- Aiding in the emotional recovery of children, young people and adults from great loss, change and grief through Good Grief. Most recently, helping to heal the scars borne by children during Australia’s natural disasters within Good Grief’s Stormbirds program.
- Visiting refugee and asylum-seeker families to share the Christmas spirit, bearing gifts of wonderful Christmas hampers made with love by generous donors through Josephite Community Aid.
- Prompting bi-cultural community, values and faith education during the annual camp for Maori and rural children at MacKillop Kids Camp (NZ)
Sr Monica ended her statement by saying that these stories are only possible with support from the people who donate – you. Your generosity, said Sr Monica, will have a life-long impact on the people who need it most.
To make a donation and make a real difference to people in need this Christmas, please download a donation form by CLICKING HERE and post it back to PO Box 1508, North Sydney, NSW 2059.
Bequests inform
For more information, contact 02 8912 4860 or go to www.sosj.org.au.