‘I am with you always even to the end of the world’.

These words from Matthew’s Gospel capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister Marie’s life. Deep faith in the one who called her and loved her unconditionally. At approximately 5.15pm on Friday 8th November, our dear Sister, Marie, came face to face with the one she had lovingly and generously served for over seven decades as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

From Thursday, August 22nd, to Monday, August 26th, the Sisters of the Australian Province gathered at Hartzer Park, our Retreat and Conference Center, for the annual Province Assembly for 2024. This year’s Assembly was especially significant, as it took place during the Congregation's 150th Jubilee Year. Around 50 of our sisters gathered for a wonderful and enriching Assembly in which Sr Philippa Murphy our Provincial facilitated. This year’s Assembly was truly a special gathering, as the sisters reflected and celebrated 150 years of the congregation over 5 wonderful days.

The Hon Eva Lawler MP, Former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory congratulated the Sisters for the 150th Jubilee Year.

Ms Lawler extended her thanks on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, for the 116 years of continuing work the Daughters have done in the NT.

On this day, August 30th, 1874, 150 years ago, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart were founded. Today, we celebrate this 150th Jubilee with hearts filled with thanksgiving for the last 150 years.

In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Honorable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, sent a heartfelt letter congratulating the Sisters of the Australian Province on this momentous Jubilee. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister for his warm wishes, graciously offered on behalf of the people of Australia.

From August 22nd to 26th, the Sisters of the Australian Province gathered at Hartzer Park for their annual Province Assembly, marking a significant moment during the Congregation's 150th Jubilee Year. Lay participants, including Partners in Mission, Associates, and long-time friends, joined the Sisters to reflect on the Charism of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, with a special emphasis on the Jubilee.

As part of our 150th Jubilee Celebrations, the Province commissioned bronze busts of our founder, Fr. Jules Chevalier MSC, and our first Superior General, Mother Marie Louise Hartzer FDNSC. These exquisite sculptures were crafted by British-Australian artist Andrew Poppleton in New South Wales and cast in bronze by Meridian Sculptures in Melbourne, Victoria. On Sunday, August 25th, these busts were unveiled and blessed at Hartzer Park by our Provincial, Sr. Philippa Murphy FDNSC, and Fr. Pat Mara MSC.

To commemorate our 150th Jubilee, the Province proudly inaugurated and blessed a Yarning Circle and Native Garden at our Conference and Retreat Centre in Hartzer Park on August 25^th, 2024. This Yarning Circle and Native Garden serve as a lasting tribute to our First Nations Peoples, honoring the Daughters' ministry and partnership with First Nations communities in Australia for over 114 years.

“God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.”

These words from the first letter of St. John capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister Joan’s life, a deep faith in the one who called her and loved her unconditionally. At approximately 6.15pm on Monday 10^th June, our dear Sister, Joan came face to face with the one she had lovingly and generously served for close to seven decades as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

‘This is my beloved in whom I am well pleased’.

These words from the Gospel of Matthew capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister Bernadetta’s life. She had an absolute trust and deep faith in God. On Thursday, 7th March she came face to face with her God whom she had so lovingly and faithfully served as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, for over six decades.

Join us in celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Fr Jules Chevalier on March 15th, 2024

As part of our celebrations we are excited to share this captivating and beautiful short film created by the Australian Province of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, as we pose the question: "Who is Chevalier to you?"

‘Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for his people.’ Pope Francis

These words from Pope Francis capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister, Mary who had absolute confidence in the one who called her into life and loved her unconditionally. On Saturday 30th December our much-loved Sister, Mary, gently slipped into the loving embrace of the one who had been her light, her strength, her passion, throughout her 94 years. She was 75 years professed.

"Let us prepare ourselves to receive the great gift of his coming amoung us. He will be our light, our strength, our support." - Fr Jules Chevalier msc

God reminds us time and time again that nothing is impossible to God even coming to earth as a baby born to a woman named Mary. At Christmas God comes to us as a fragile, powerless, vulnerable baby and at this moment the divine spark of God's love is born.

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me’.

These words from the Gospel of John capture well the essence of our dear Sister Eileen’s life. She was a woman of deep faith with absolute trust in God.

The news of her unexpected death on Wednesday, 25^th October, was met, understandably, with shock and sadness. Soon followed comments from Sisters and friends in various parts of Australia and, of course, Kiribati. 

Gentle woman, quiet light, morning star so strong and bright.

The hymn, Gentle Woman, was being played at the moment our much-loved Sister, Margaret, peacefully came face to face with the one she had so lovingly and faithfully served as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for over six decades. ‘Gentle woman, quiet light’, these words capture the essence of our Sister Marg.