Society of the Sacred Heart NEANZ Province Australia New Zealand

Province Silent Retreat 2025

admin 2025-08-162025-08-23 Featured, RSCJ News

The Province Silent Retreat for 2025 took place at Mary McKillop Spirituality Centre, Baulkham Hills on 8th -10th August. The facilitator was Sr Cath Lloyd RSCJ from the UK. The 40 participants included Sisters, members of province, school boards, staff and Sancta Sophia college. The theme was ‘Returning to our Source and Centre – A contemporary retreat with Sophie’. This is a significant year for the Sacred Heart family, as important structural changes in the Society begin, and celebrations of the centenary of the canonisation of Madeleine Sophie Barat take place. The retreat offered a return to the roots and centre of the Society’s spirituality. Participants were invited to contemplate

End Human Trafficking Day – July 30th 2025

admin 2025-08-162025-08-23 RSCJ News, Uncategorized

The theme for 2025: Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End the Exploitation Every year, about 50 million people world-wide become victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. This World Day is observed to raise awareness, encourage action, and promote the protection of victims. These links offers further information:https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-human-trafficking-day https://www.ijm.org/world-day-against-trafficking-in-persons Prayer for those who are suffering from this evil crime. Bless us God with hearts that grieve injustice. Strengthen our commitment to stop trafficking and slavery of children, women and men in this country and around the world. We ask this confident that You desire freedom and respect for all people. Amen

The Society of the Sacred Heart Leadership Transition

admin 2024-12-182024-12-18 RSCJ News

December 12, 2024 – Saint Madeleine Sophie’s birthday – was a special occasion for the Society of the Sacred Heart. On this day, Barbara Dawson and her Council passed on the service of leadership to Claire Castaing and her Council.To follow this event please visit: https://rscjinternational.org/change-of-general-council-2024/

Season of Creation 2024

admin 2024-09-012024-09-03 Justice and Peace, RSCJ News, Uncategorized

The 2024 Season of Creation begins today. The theme: To Hope and Act with Creation. The site below leads us to a treasure chest of information and ideas for participating in this season.

Final Moments of Chapter 2024

admin 2024-09-012024-09-03 RSCJ News

We have reached the end of 30 days of Chapter. Long tiring days of sharing, reflection and discernment.We thank all capitulants for their hard work and intense participation. We wish them safe travel backto their provinces. Welcome home to ANZ, our sisters, LynetteToohey and Diana Hayes. Our journey continues.The future is in our hands. general chapter 2024.rscjinternational.org

Our Journey Continues

admin 2024-08-232024-09-03 RSCJ News, Uncategorized

The 2024 Chapter has elected our next Superior General for the next 8 years. CONGRATULATIONS Sr Claire Castaing, RSCJ. We look forward to our next eight years together. A big thank you to Barb Dawson for the past eight years of dedicated service. Blessings on all Chapter delegates who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this moment. Below: Our two previous Superior Generals join newly elected Sr Claire CastaingKathleen Conan (2008-2016), Barbara Dawson (2016-2024), Claire Castaing (2024 – 2032)

Australia / New Zealand Province Silent Retreat

admin 2024-08-152024-09-01 RSCJ News, Uncategorized

The Province Silent Retreat was held on the weekend of 9th, 10th 11th August at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills. The theme of this contemplative retreat was ‘In the wilderness responding to the call of the Pierced Heart of Jesus’. The facilitator was Sr Yasuko Taguchi RSCJ from the Province of Japan. Thirty-six retreatants from ANZ Province RSCJ, schools, boards and university colleges gathered on the Friday evening to enjoy a welcome drink and dinner, before entering into the first session on Going out into the Wilderness and then the silence that followed. There were five sessions across the weekend with time in between for personal prayer and reflection. Sr Yasuko,

Society of the Sacred Heart – General Chapter

admin 2024-07-272024-08-01 RSCJ News

Sister Barbara Dawson, our Superior General, has formally convoked the 2024 Gerneral Chapter. The theme of the Chapter is: COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, TRANSFORMATIONTHROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. Luke 4:14 Lynette Toohey, rscj and Diana Hayes, rscj left earlier this week to represent Australia and New Zealand at the Chapter which will take place just outside of Rome. Delegates from 43 countries will gather to further the discussions that have taken place by all members of each province in preparation for this important gathering. We would be grateful for your prayer in support of these meetings which will determine the way forward for all RSCJ, our collaborators and companions. .

Safeguarding

admin 2024-07-132025-12-16 Safeguarding

“The Society of the Sacred Heart in Australia and New Zealand undertakes to implement National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and is committed to ensuring a safe Church for everyone, especially the young and vulnerable adults. This commitment includes all people engaged within and for the Society. Each one of us has a responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk and to contribute to a culture of welcome and safety for all.”Further detailed information can be found below. https://safeguarding.catholic.org.nz/

WAR HAS NO PLACE ON EARTH

admin 2023-07-162023-07-18 Action, Care for Creation, Uncategorized No Comments

Though Ukraine and Russia are thousands of miles from our shores the situation feels very close to us as the war continues. So many lives needlessly lost and loved ones carrying the burden and sadness of never seeing family members again. Our hearts reach out to those who are suffering. The link below takes us ever more deeply into the reality that so many are facing.