Each year the Church celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week.
Celebrated from August 2 to 6, this year it was dedicated to promoting the various expressions of Christian vocation with a focus on promoting priesthood and consecrated life.
In 2020, a group of Josephite Sisters and Affiliates were asked to contribute video content about their Ministries and how they participate in God’s mission today.
“The response has been extremely pleasing, and we are thrilled to showcase the great works of these individuals,” said Kathleen Norman, Communications Manager, Sisters of Saint Joseph. “The first of the content series was launched on Sunday 2 August in time for the start of National Vocations Awareness Week.”
Drawing on Saint Mary MacKillop’s experience, Sister Monica added: “My advice to young Australians of faith is – be the voice of the Gospel and the face of God in the world today. Be courageous; use your passion and energy to address the critical issues facing the world and church today.”
During these unusual times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, research shows us there is a new openness to the sharing of faith in 2020.
Australians have turned to prayer during the coronavirus with many wanting to spend more time growing their faith once restrictions are lifted.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph believe that Saint Mary MacKillop would offer encouragement during these difficult times.
In 1907 she wrote to the Sisters: “We must let no obstacles deter us from proceeding with courage in the path marked out for us. It may sometimes be dark and full of windings, but a beautiful bright light shines at the end of this path and a few more windings will bring us to it.”
Sr Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader, believes strongly that Mary MacKillop is with us. “Her own experience of life leads us to be in deep communion with her. We remember that Mary herself suffered from ill-health and will be close to all those whose health has been impacted by the COVID-19. She was close to death on a few occasions and found comfort in those who shared these times with her.”
Saint Mary Mackillop herself wrote about her testing experience of being dangerously unwell:
“I was for many weeks dangerously ill, so ill that I nearly died… I was weary of the world and its crosses… The mental conflict had been too much for me.”
Lesley O’Brien, Mary MacKillop Unveiled, p.145
Drawing from that insight into Saint Mary MacKillop’s experience, Sister Monica added: “My advice to young Australians of faith is – be the voice of the Gospel and the face of God in the world today. Be courageous; use your passion and energy to address the critical issues facing the world and church today.”