Class has been cancelled so the community can use their ancient culture to honour Sister Tess on her appointment to the Order of Australia for her work in bilingual education. The 70-year-old nun has worked in the community, the largest in the Northern Territory, for decades running the bilingual language program at the local school.

"It's actually an overwhelmingly joyful day for me and touched me very deeply to see so many people and the children dancing," Sister Ward said.

"And people coming together in their way to honour me and show their respect in a cultural way.

The investiture, held at Wadeye, Northern Territory was very moving....within a very cultural context.  The main language groups sung and danced and made a presentation to Tess: a beautiful painting, a mat and printed cloth.  A group of Tiwi people was also present and they sung for Tess.

The two disciples (Andrew and John] followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following,
he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?”. They said to him, ‘Rabbi, where do you live?’
He said to them, ‘Come and see’. They came and saw … and remained with him. (John 1:35-39)

Another Sister, a daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, has achieved her century. Sister Emmanuel Chapman was born in Auckland in 1916 but grew up in Randwick and Coogee, NSW. Here she developed the two greatest loves of her life, for the spirituality of the MSC Fathers and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and for the sea.

How does a religious sister who spent her 90th birthday scuba diving celebrate her 100th?

With a visit to Sydney Tower, where the view of the city is the perfect backdrop for looking back at a century of life.

During this season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of touch in Jesus’ ministry.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day let us remember women everywhere and may we, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, do the good that is in our power to help all women sense their dignity and know deep within that they are loved by God.

pdf Click here to download our lnternational Women's Day Newsletter (1.00 MB)

O God, be a sheltering rock for me, a walled fortress to save me!
For you are my rock, my fortress;
for the sake of your name, guide me, lead me on.
I put my trust in you, Yahweh, I say, ‘You are my God’,
My days are in your hand, rescue me;
Let your face smile on your servant, save me in your love.  (Psalm 30, 2-3;14,16)

A perfect woman – who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls. …
She is always busy with wool and with flax; she does her work with eager hands …
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely;
On her tongue is kindly instruction
(Proverbs 31, 10-26)

And so I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I entreated and the spirit of wisdom came to me. …
In her company all good things came to me, 
and at her hands incalculable wealth. …
What I learned diligently, I shall pass on liberally,
I shall not conceal how rich she is. …
For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure,
and those who acquire this, win God’s friendship. …
(Wisdom, 7, 7-14)

On the 26th January 2016 Sr Tess Ward was named in the Australia Day Honours List for 2016.

Tess has received an Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, for her Service to Indigenous Communities in the Northern Territory, particularly as linguist and educator.

I know in whom I have believed,
and I am confident that he is able to safeguard until that Day
all that I have entrusted to him. (2 Tim. 1:12)

When peaceful silence lay over all,
And night had run the half of her swift course,
Down from the heavens, from the royal throne,
Leapt your all-powerful Word. Wisdom 18, 14-15

Overcome Indifference and win Peace will be the title of the Message for the 49th World Day of Peace, the third of the papacy of Pope Francis. Indifference in regard to the scourges of our time is one of the fundamental causes of the lack of peace. Today, indifference is often linked to various forms of individualism which cause isolation, ignorance, selfishness and, therefore, lack of interest and commitment. Increase of information does not mean per se an increase of attention to the problems, if it is not accompanied by solidarity-based openness of conscience. To this end, it is essential the contribution that can provide–besides the family–educators, teachers, people of culture, media practitioners, intellectuals and artists. Indifference can be won only responding together to this challenge.

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.