By our religious profession we publicly commit ourselves to the mission of Jesus to proclaim and witness to God's love and presence in the world by our way of life and apostolic service.

As Jesus entrusted his mission to the Church, we respond to the call of the Spirit through our ministries in the various local churches, the universal Church and the wider community.

We live, pray, work and witness as Josephite women and our lives are ideally characterised by trust in providence, simplicity, poverty, humility, compassion, hospitality and joy.

We seek to remain open to the present and emerging needs of our world in order to serve among God's people whose life experiences challenge and enrich us.

We undertake our ministries supported and energised by our life together and our commitment to prayer.

"The spirit of the Institute requires that the Sisters never see any evil without trying to remedy it..."

Julian Tenison Woods ~ A Book of Instructions for the Sisters of St Joseph 1870

Specifically
~ In Prayer
The Sisters join with the whole church in praying for our world. Daily prayer is an important part of their lives. Some Sisters also offer Spiritual Direction and Retreats and the Sisters at St Anne's have a special prayer ministry for anyone who asks their prayers. People can contact the Home to ask for prayers through email, stannes@chcs.com.au, fax ( 02 6337 2101) or phone (02 6337 2307). The Sisters make St Teresa's Conference Centre available for private and organised Retreats and small conferences and St Joseph's Chapel Perthville is available for weddings and christenings.

~ In Parishes
The Sisters are involved in the growth of faith communities especially in small rural towns in central NSW. Here they have 13 convents and they are also involved in some parishes in western Sydney. One Sister administers a priestless parish, others work as Pastoral Assistants with Parish Priests or as Parish Secretaries. Others are Eucharistic Ministers. The Sisters visit the sick and frail, comfort the dying and their relatives, and are friends to those in need, especially by their prayers. They nurture relationships, are involved in prayer groups and liturgies and support the local efforts of priests and parishioners in fostering growth in faith. In their rural ministry they become involved in the whole town and district and combine with others in working to improve situations and meet human needs by tackling systemic problems at their cause.

~ With Indigenous People
The Sisters are concerned for indigenous people suffering dispossession and discrimination. At Bidyadanga in Western Australia, one of the Perthville Sisters and a Josephite from Western Australia live in a convent with the people on the fringe of the Western Desert and are actively involved in the parish, assisting with liturgies, teaching skills, offering encouragement and being with the people in their isolation.

~ With Associates
The charism of the Congregation as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the church and to the world is shared with others especially those who, desiring to deepen their baptismal consecration, identify with our Josephite spirit and mission.

~ Through Education
The Sisters endeavour to spread knowledge and the development of skills, especially with children and disadvantaged people. Some Sisters teach in schools and universities. Others are involved in catechetics in state schools. The Sisters are also responsible for the training and coordination of catechists in the Diocese, one Sister being the Director of Catechetics. Other Sisters liaise between the Catholic schools and parents and are school counsellors.

A significant educational, spiritual and social ministry is carried out through St Joseph's College Perthville making it possible for young women from all parts of rural NSW to attend one of the best Catholic, all girls, secondary schools in NSW at MacKillop College Bathurst. At St Joseph's, emphasis is placed on human dignity and the holistic development of every young woman as she is encouraged and trained to make a real difference to the world. Every opportunity is given to be involved in liturgy and grow in leadership. Efforts are made to make this College affordable for country parents where isolation is a huge factor and the Congregation and Exstudents Association offer bursaries to assist parents. The homely environment is a good experience for girls who will later make the transition from home to tertiary studies and friendships develop which seem to last lifetimes. Exstudents of St Joseph's make significant social contributions to life in rural NSW.

~ With sick and disadvantaged people
Through St Anne's Home, an aged care hostel at Perthville, the Congregation provides a pleasant and homely environment with quality care for our senior Sisters and elderly people from the Bathurst district. The Sisters care about the sick and aged in hospitals and aged care institutions and other disadvantaged people and visit them frequently. One Sister is a chaplain to St Vincent's Hospital and Macquarie Homes Bathurst. Another is a full time chaplain to prisoners at Bathurst Correctional Centre. Several are involved in palliative care, in counselling, and in marriage and parent education. One Sister who commenced Centacare in the Bathurst Diocese continues to direct its many activities. A Sister works in the Catholic Missions Office in Sydney and is involved in Appeal Work throughout Australia.

~ With Josephite Community Aid (JCA),
This organisation was begun by a Perthville Josephite in 1986 and is currently administered by her with another Sister actively involved. It is committed to assisting the disadvantaged in the Ashfield and western areas of Sydney. It operates through the generosity of young volunteers who work in a full time capacity or have full/part time jobs and give their spare time as volunteers. Link to their Website

~ With Refugees
The Sisters are concerned for people from other nations who are forced to flee their homes. They are actively engaged in advocacy and assist newly arrived refugees in Sydney and country areas. They offer hospitality and support, assist with English lessons and help them set up homes and find their way in their new country.

~ With Justice Issues
The Sisters are committed to action for justice. They are encouraged to look at the systemic causes of the hardships that people face and to work to effect changes in policies and attitudes. They use various means to educate for justice and are involved in the Josephite Justice Network with other members of the Federation and Sisters of St Joseph centred at Mount Street, North Sydney. "We strive, both personally and corporately, to promote Christian social justice and the stewardship of creation."(Constitutions p. 8).

~ With Ecology
The Sisters live a simple life style with due priority given to using goods wisely, recycling, conservation and care for the environment. They are committed to living with a concern for the preservation of the earth and the careful use of the gifts of nature.

~ With Good Governance and Stewardship in a Ministry of Service
While all Sisters share responsibility for leadership, the overall organisation, management, coordination and sustainability of all these ministries is a ministry of service that requires time, expertise and energy on the part of those Sisters entrusted to positions of authority and administration within the Congregation. It also requires involvement and interaction with other religious and community groups.

~ With the Josephite Foundation
Through the Josephite Foundation, established in the Jubilee Year 2000, the Sisters share their capital goods, expertise and help others improve their situation with dignity.

a. NILS is a project which provides interest free loans to low income earners for essential household goods.

b. Community Aid Projects
In 2003, structures were put in place for the development of a Community Aid aspect of the Foundation, enabling the setting up small Community Projects such as educational services and projects to meet specific needs. Initial capital for this area came from a bequest of one of the Sisters.

c. How you can help
The Sisters rely on donations from members of the public for these projects to continue and grow. Your donation will be welcomed. The Josephite Foundation is a charitable organization and donations are tax deductible. For further information on the Foundation contact:

The Secretary Josephite Foundation
Tenison Woods Avenue
Perthville NSW 2795

Phone: 02 6337 2307, Fax: 02 6337 2010
E-mail: sjcpvill@lisp.com.au