Farewell for our community

Sunday 23 February will mark a significant end to such a vital part of our history here at St Joseph’s, O’Connor. After many years of service to the parish, Sr Julie will be farewelled as she takes on a new role in Sydney, supporting those in need. Not only is Sr Julie leaving St Joseph’s Parish, but her departure also ends over 60 years of history, guidance, direction and faithful service to St Joseph’s School by the Sisters of St Joseph. In looking back through prior publications, from the 1981 Silver Jubilee booklet for the school, the beginnings of the Josephite’s history here in O’Connor are described here;

At mid-day on 21 January, 1956, five sisters arrived by train from Goulburn, to be met by the Very Rev. Fr S. O’Donnell, Parish Priest of Braddon, and Rev. Fr P. Bateman, who would later become Assistant Priest at St Joseph’s O’Connor… The sisters took up residence in their first convent, at 61 Boronia Drive, now the presbytery… Across the road, the new Church-School was almost completed: pupils had a long summer vacation that year and classes began for 175 children from Kindergarten to 3^rd Grade on 12 February, 1956.

The Sisters of St Joseph have had a continuing presence in O’Connor and Lyneham, and in particular in our parish and our school, since that day in January, 1956. On behalf of all within our wider St Joseph’s community, I thank Sr Julie, and all the Sisters of St Joseph who have been a faithful presence over the years.

A morning tea will be held following Sunday Mass, 9am 23 February, to farewell Sr Julie. 

Sr Julie, third from right.