Diamond jubilee celebrates sixty years of love and service

It has been quite some time since Sr Colleen Mary Power listened, said yes to God and walked across the quadrangle in her final year of secondary education at Sacred Heart School in New Town.

On 4 January this year, Sr Colleen marked her diamond jubilee of religious profession, with celebrations moved to August due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I celebrated sixty years of vowed chastity, poverty and obedience as a Sister of Saint Joseph in Tasmania,” she said.

“Our Victoria-Tasmania Regional team members who live across the Strait were unable to be here, and so the Tasmanian Sisters of Saint Joseph, my family and friends gathered for prayer and afternoon tea at New Town – the place where we entered the Novitiate of the Sisters, received the habit and were professed.”

Sr Colleen has been deeply involved in community life during her years as a Sister of St Joseph, teaching at schools all around Tasmania.

“I have lived the life of a Josephite, in teaching, administration, hospitality, parish life, carer, and our Tasmanian Josephite archives,” she said.

“During these years my gifts and talents were drawn out of me by the Sisters, and have been part of my daily living.”

Sr Colleen said she felt God alongside her over the years.

“My God is a practical God,” she explained.

“A God that can be seen, and felt, in people, nature and all the beauty of this island state.  My God has been with me through it all – loving and guiding me – loving and guiding me through the Sisters, our priests, my family and friends.”

Sr Colleen said she was grateful to the people of Tasmania, who played an important role in her Josephite life, and the lives of the Sisters as they journeyed from place to place since 1887.

“We have walked with you, we have worked with you, we have worked for you, we have recreated with you, we have laughed with you, we have cried with you, but above all we have loved you,” she said.

“Our gratitude knows no bounds. Thank you.”