Last week, from the 5 - 7 December, Srs Jenny Seal, Lorraine McCleary and Philippa Murphy joined with approximately 4000 young Catholics in Adelaide for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. The Festival was supported by the Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference.

There was great joy at the OLSH Associates’ Annual Retreat at the MSC Retreat Centre in Douglas Park on Saturday 31st October when eight women made their Commitment as Associates of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred. Their commitment was received by Sr Elizabeth Little, the Provincial. We thank God for these women of the heart who have joined our International Chevalier Family and with us strive to be the Heart of God in the world.

2015-12-08 Vatican Radio - (Vatican Radio) - Pope Francis on Tuesday opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica, inaugurating the Jubilee of Mercy. The ceremony took place after he celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter’s Square. The rain did not keep the people away: Over 50 thousand arrived, including the President and Prime Minister of Italy, Sergio Mattarella and Matteo Renzi; as well as King Albert II of Belgium with Queen Paola.

Pope Francis, during his homily, highlighted the primacy of grace.

“Were sin the only thing that mattered, we would be the most desperate of creatures,” Pope Francis said. “But the promised triumph of Christ’s love enfolds everything in the Father’s mercy… The Immaculate Virgin stands before us as a privileged witness of this promise and its fulfilment.”

2015-12-07 Vatican Radio - Director of the Apostleship of Prayer in Zambia, Jesuit priest, Father Charles Searson reflects on the Jubilee year of Mercy and what it entails of all:

Pope Francis has declared the period from 8 December 2015 to 29 November 2016 as a Jubilee Year of Mercy. It is also his prayer intention for December: "that all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving."

Appropriately enough the Holy Father anticipated the year on Sunday evening 29 November by opening the Door of Mercy at the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Bangui, in the Central African Republic.

Pope Francis wants the celebration of the Holy Year to be for all believers "a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God". The Hebrew word for Mercy is "Hesed" which translates as "the loving kindness of the heart of our God."

2015-12-06 Vatican Radio - (Vatican Radio) - Before the recitation of the Marian Prayer on the second Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis referred to Sunday’s liturgy in which John the Baptist, preaches "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins".

The Holy Father pointed out that conversion is not just for atheists but also for those who already consider themselves Christians.

Pope Francis continued by saying, “No one can say: I'm fine. Not true, it would be presumptuous, because "we must always be converted."

Sister Anne has recently facilitated not only $126,000 from the Commonwealth Government Aboriginal Benefits Account to extend the Patakijyali Muesum in Wurrumiyanga, Tiwi Islands, she has also recently secured an additional $70,000 from the Northern Territory Government to  fit out a number of new exhibitions and an additional $11,500 for new air conditioners for the existing museum which are vitally important given the climate in the Northern Territory. Sister Anne has been working tirelessly with the local Tiwi people, especially the women to ensure their culture and language is documented and persevered for future generations.

Sr Nora Hanrahan OLSH. who was presented with a national Kiribati award, by President Anote Tong, for her work in advancing the lives of the Kiribati people during her long years in education there

On Saturday, 24th October, 2015 the President of Kiribati came to the OLSH Convent at Kensington to present a national Kiribati award to Sr Nora Hanrahan for her work in advancing the lives of the Kiribati people during her long years in education there.  He noted particularly her role in setting up 6th Form school with few resources in Teaoraereke, Tarawa.

The conference was held in Melbourne, October 2nd and 3rd. The Chevalier Family supported the conference.

Over 100 gathered at the Yarra Theological Union Study Centre, especially SVD members from around the world and a large number of the sister congregation of the Holy Spirit. All the papers were given by members of the congregations with visitors being the responders.

Wishing our dear Sister Constance, a very happy birthday. With deep gratitude for the many years of faithful witness as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Your life has been a gift to our Congregation. You are an inspiration dear Constance!

At Douglas Park we held another Discernment Weekend. There were five wonderful people there. If you're not sure where Douglas Park is, it's in Paradise.

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On the path of ecological conversion

These Stations of the Cross were prepared especially for those who have a deep admiration and love for Blessed John Paul II. If you are one of those people, and if you want to continue to be inspired and challenged by his prophetic message, these Stations of the Cross are meant in a special way for you and your faith community.

pdf  Download The Stations of the cross with John Paul II in PDF format

More than ever young people are discerning direction for their life. For some it is the question, “Where is God calling me?” for others, “What is my heart’s desire, its deepest desire?”, “Where can I find true meaning in my life?”, “What journey will enable me to love the best way I can?”

This genuine search is not for a comfortable lifestyle, but a life fulfilled by living Jesus’ greatest command, to love God and to love my neighbour as myself.

Schools and local community members helping to celebrate Sister Pat Hogan’s birthday recently have left the 80-year-old overwhelmed by their support.

Sister Pat was treated to a liturgy and morning tea at St Barbara’s Parish School last  ursday before an afternoon event on Sunday and a warm reception at Roxby Downs Area School on Monday morning.

Pope Francis has named Fr. Rafael Rodríguez, MSC, the First Assistant General, Bishop of the Diocese of La Vega in the Dominican Republic. Our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Bishop elect Rafael! This is a great honor for our Congregation and a further confirmation (with the appointment of Bishop Plinio in 2007 to be auxiliary bishop of Santiago) of the missionary zeal and dedication of our Canadian and Dominican confreres who for eighty years have sacrificed so much to build up the Church in the Dominican Republic.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved!

Sr Moira fdnsc
Marie Therese Lynch
08.09.1923 – 18.02.2015