Sisters’ ‘creative courage’ praised at end of era
By Wendy Shaw
The Sisters of St Joseph held a moving three-day farewell to their large community house, known as St Joseph’s, in New Town at the end of February.
Congregational Leader Sr Monica Cavanagh praised the ‘creative courage’ of the Sisters in deciding to sell the building after 57 years.
The two Sisters who were living at the house are moving elsewhere in Hobart and much of the contents is being given to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Sr Monica said: “This creative courage comes from a genuine desire to relieve suffering and bring hope, and we are pleased to be able to donate the contents of the building to St Vincent de Paul for use in their new project of offering housing to homeless women in Hobart.”
Sr Carmel Jones explained that the building in Thirza Street was blessed and opened by Archbishop Guilford Young on 19 August, 1968 and was used at first as a nursing home and hostel for Sisters of St Joseph. Later, hospitality was offered to other religious congregations and relatives and friends of the Sisters during illness.
“By 1989 it was obvious that St Joseph’s was too small to be eligible for further Government funding so the building became home to a community of Sisters,” according to Sr Carmel.
It was extended and renovated in 1999 and could accommodate up to 16 Sisters. But with only two Sisters living there now, “it is time to say farewell to the building”.
In the last week of February, staff, priests, clergy, religious, Josephite companions and friends who had been part of the St Joseph’s story since 1967 were invited over three days to join the Sisters in ritual prayer, the sharing of stories and for afternoon tea. Students from nearby Sacred Heart College primary choir entertained with songs.
Joining them were Sr Monica, former Vic-Tas Regional Leaders Sr Josephine Dubiel and Sr Kerrie Cusack, current leader Sr Sue McGuinness, and Sr Margaret Malady and Sr Geraldine Larkins from the leadership team. Sr Josephine Brady and Sr Mary Davis, from Sydney, also attended.
During the ritual, various symbols were placed on a central focus to represent the ‘letting go’ of 57 years of community, hospitality, compassion and belonging. Sr Monica ceremonially removed the ‘Srs of St Joseph’ sign from the front door.
Sr Sue said it was another key moment in the Tasmanian story of the Sisters of St Joseph.
“We are closing a building, not the presence of the Sisters in Tasmania,” she said.
“The story will be continued in different ways through all the ministry that has been enabled from this place and through the lives of the people who have been captured by the Josephite charism.”
There are 10 Sisters of St Joseph in Tasmania, which is part of the Vic-Tas Region, with another 69 in Victoria. The congregation in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Peru and Brazil totals 520 Sisters.