Prayer Focus featuring ponga fronds
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Leaders from the Federation Sisters’ groups of Goulburn, Lochinvar, Perthville and Tasmania, as well as some Sisters from the Central Josephites of the New Zealand Province were welcomed to Whanganui in a Powhiri at Mt St Joseph on Wednesday 23 April 2008.
This marked the beginning of the Annual Federation meeting.
With the theme of ‘Fullness of Life’ the group used the image of the ponga frond to open themselves to the unfolding story of the Sisters of St Joseph. This would be the theme of their discussions over the days following.
On the second day together the group enjoyed a bus trip through Taranaki to visit and learn of the work of the Sisters of St Joseph in Waverley, Patea and Hawera. They visited the Tawhiti Museum in Hawera and spent time tracing the history of Taranaki and hearing about the Parihaka Movement. It was a day of relaxation and learning as the visiting Sisters saw for themselves an area in New Zealand where the Sisters worked from 1885 to 1997.
The day concluded with a joyful celebration of Eucharist with Fathers Gerard Burns and Chris Skinner
On Friday 25th, Josephite Sister Ann Gilroy facilitated a dynamic and interactive presentation on Valuing the Earth and Earthlings, which proved to be challenging, and worked towards practical outcomes.
