Province News

Recent News: 

An Update on Myanmar - September 2012

Our FCJ community in Myanmar is now three and a half years old. That means the child is growing up, is no longer crawling but is now up and running around the place. Her feet are firm and she has begun to explore other areas within her competence. Two of the ‘children’ are very fluent in speaking and reading Burmese. The slow learner among them is still babbling but is quite happy with her slow progress! Agnes, Sisca and Marion were each involved in teaching English to a group of women ...       More ...

Final Profession of Vows in Manila - Van-van Reposar fcJ 14th April 2012

Anyone who has ever attended a happy wedding can imagine the joy we FCJs experienced at Van-van’s final vows on 14th April 2012. The evening before the actual ceremony there was a special prayer in which we gave thanks for Van-van’s life and vocation... The vow ceremony took place in the chapel of “Los Desposorios”... Just after 2pm the choir began to sing beautifully “Sing to the Mountains” and the Mass began. The sense of celebration was tangible and the atmosphere was truly joyful.       More ...

Elections in Myanmar - April 1st, 2012

Recently, newspapers round the world have commented on the enormous success of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and especially the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi (under house arrest for many years) is now a democratically elected member of the Hluttaw, the Myanmar parliament... This chapter of Myanmar is history ... is full of possiblity for the future. We wish the people of Myanmar every blessing as they move forward. To learn something of the activities of the FCJ Sisters in Myanmar, click here.       More ...

Final Profession of Vows - Fransisca Arti Setiati (Sisca) fcJ in Melbourne, Australia - 3rd January 2012

On the evening of January 2nd, we had a beautiful thanksgiving prayer on the eve of Sisca’s final vows. Fifty of us FCJ Sisters gathered in Melbourne joined Sisca in prayer as we gave thanks for her life and vocation. Each member of the Province anointed her with fragrant oil and said a prayer for her. The next afternoon Sisca made her final profession of vows in a deeply moving ceremony. All the FCJs in our Province were there as well as our Companions in Mission and many friends from Melbourne and even further afield.      More ...

Province of Asia-Australia Assembly in Melbourne, Australia - 28 December - 3rd January 2012

Reflection, conversations, prayer, song, dance and relaxation were part of the rich sharing that filled the days as the sisters of the Province of Asia-Australia gathered in the Madeleine Centre at Genazzano College FCJ, Kew for their Province Assembly from 28 December to 3 January. Opportunities for the sisters from Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Australia to gather together are few and cherished. May the refreshment of spirit so evident in the gathering be fruitful and long-lived.       More ...

Preparation for Final Vows at Syantikara Retreat House, Indonesia October to December 2011

We FCJ Sisters preparing for final vows were deeply grateful for the prayer and support of Sisters throughout the Society. During these privileged three months, the theme of our time together was: Pilgrim Quest: Mystical Service We participated in input sessions from FCJ Sisters and other resource people... we went to different places for Mystical Service ... had the privilege of having personal direction ... We went on pilgrimage and had a six-day guided retreat ...      More ...

First FCJ Companions in Mission received in Yogyakarta, Indonesia 31st October 2011

The new Companions in Mission in Yogyakarta are grateful for all the prayer and support from around the Society as they prepared for and made commitment as Companions in Mission. The ceremony of commitment took place on the 31st of October 2011. Twelve people made their commitment. One companion who was not able to attend on that day made her commitment on 5th November 2011. Twenty FCJ Sisters attended. Also present were some CiMs in formation who are continuing their formation but not making their commitment yet.      More ...

ACRATH - Australian Religious Against the Trafficking of Humans — August 2011 and 5th October 2011

An Australian FCJ, Sr. Denise Mulcahy, works for an organization called 'ACRATH' (Australian Catholic Religious Against the Trafficking of Humans ... website http://acrath.org.au/). On Sunday 21 August 2011, twelve members of ACRATH went to Canberra where they spoke with over 100 Members of Parliament and their advisors about ACRATH's major concerns for people who are trafficked.
Later, on 5th October 2011, ACRATH had a visit from the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs; they are funded in part by the Australian Government.      More ...

Commemorating the Declaration of Marie Madeleine as a Women of Heroic Virtue —8th October 2011

This year the Society commemorates 40 years since Marie Madeleine d’Houet was officially declared as a woman of heroic virtues by Pope Paul VI. Her story begins in 1781, during a tumultuous time in France for both the Church and the State. After much tribulation, in 1820 she founded the Society and over the next decades saw the Society spread over Europe, crossing many boundaries, always in the footsteps of Christ, the first Jesuit and her Companion. By the time she died in 1858, the Society had grown even more, eventually arriving in Australia in 1882.      More ...

A Year of Double Joy: Two Indonesian FCJs make First Profession of Vows — April and October 2011

This year has been a truly special one for the FCJs in the Province of Asia-Australia because we had the joy of twice celebrating the profession of first vows in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 

In April we celebrated Hartini’s first vows and in October we celebrated with Herlina as she made her first vows. No two vow ceremonies are ever the same and this was very much the case for Herlina and Hartini.      More ...

Jubilee Celebrations in Australia — 25 September 2011

On Sunday 25 September 2011 in the Genazzano FCJ College Chapel in Kew Melbourne, six FCJs celebrated their jubilees: 

Srs Mary O’Shannessy and Anne Morrison (50 years professed), Mary Kennedy (60 years professed), Denise Mulcahy and Toni Courtney (50 years professed) and Myrna Nunan (60 years professed).     More ...

CRISIS - Eruptions of Mount Merapi, near Yogyakarta —2010

Since the eruptions of Merapi began on October 25, 2010, the FCJ Sisters in Indonesia have been busy trying to help with providing shelter and food and, more recently, with the re-settlement of some of the people who were forced from their homes. They have worked in collaboration: Being part of an international religious congregation means that we have extra financial resources to call on at a time like this – which is a big help.  Also in practical terms – it would not be possible to help many people if we worked alone – we are blessed to have a great network of friends to rely on – both young and old.     More ...

Appointment of Ms Shirley Gauci as Executive Director of the joint FCJ/Loreto National Education Board — September 1st 2010

Earlier this year the Loreto and FCJ Sisters announced the appointment of Ms Shirley Gauci as Executive Director of the FCJ and Loreto Congregations National Education Board.

Ms Gauci’s recent appointment was with the Melbourne Catholic Education Office in the role of Education Officer, Leadership and School Improvement and prior to this position she was in the Policy and Governance Staff Group. In these roles she worked extensively with Principals and School Boards. Before joining the Catholic Education Office Ms Gauci worked in Catholic Girls’ Secondary Schools in various co-ordinating positions and as Deputy Principal. Shirley will bring gifts from her study, which includes a Masters in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Theology.

In her role as Executive Director she will work with the Chair of the Board, Ms Susan Pascoe, and will be responsible to the National Education Board.

Sr Mary O'Shannessy fcJ — featured in September-October 2010 issue of Madonna

Madonna is a magazine published by the Australian Jesuits; the theme of the magazine is Prayer and Spirituality for Today's Christian.  The September-October issued featured an aritle by Rosie Hoban. "Mary O'Shannessy", she says, "is legally blind. Strange thing to say about a woman who sees the world with such clarity".  Rosie goes on to describe Mary's work, her vocation and life story, quoting Mary, "Your best is all you can do.    More ...

See also a recent poem by Mary, Graced Moment, which is to be published this year in an anthology of poetry, Everyday Spledour.  You can read the poem now on the FCJ International Site Poetry Corner by clicking here.

Renewal of Vows in Manila, Philippines — September 1st 2010

On September 1st, 2010, three Faithful Companions of Jesus, Elvisa Camilion, Dewi Gallang and Salvacion Sodusta renewed their vows in Manila.  

It was a beautiful celebration and we were delighted that our FCJ Companions in Mission as well as a group of young friends were able to join us for the Mass and for a meal afterwards.     More ...

June 2010 — FCJ Meeting of FCJ Associates and Past Pupils at John Paul College, Frankston

June 6th, the Feast of Corpus Christi was a fitting day to celebrate a reunion with those who have been associated with Stella Maris and the FCJ Sisters in Frankston. It was a varied day.
Sister Catherine Flynn spoke to the group about her work with the Australian Catholic Religious against trafficking in Humans and Sister Margaret Mary Kennedy shared about her experiences in Romania. The reunion was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with others and celebrate what unites us. We look forward to many more.    More ...

May 2010 — FCJ & Loreto Sisters appoint new National Education Board Chair

The FCJ Sisters and the Loreto Sisters are delighted to announce that Ms Susan Pascoe AM has been appointed as the new chair for their joint National Education Board. She will commence this role in July 2010.— Ms Susan Pascoe is currently one of the three commissioners for the Royal Commission into Victorian Bushfires. She has been a full-time Commissioner with the Victorian State Services Authority, with responsibility for Regulatory Reform, since September 2006. She was formerly the Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and the Director of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Before this, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.   More ...

April 5 2010 — FCJ Sisters in Melbourne celebrate Venerable Marie Madeleine d'Houët

April 5th is the day when FCJ sisters and Companions in Mission celebrate the life of their foundress Venerable Marie Madeleine d’Houët, who died in Paris on April 5 1858.   FCJ sisters in Melbourne, Victoria celebrated the day with reading and reflections on the life of this holy and inspirational woman.  More ...

"TWELVE CAME FIRST" - a new book, by Sr Aileen Ryan fcJ - March 2010, Melbourne, Australia

A new book written by Australian archivist, Sr Aileen Ryan fcJ, tells the story of the arrival of the first FCJ Sisters in Australia 127 years ago.  The sisters travelled in response to requests from Archbishop Goold in Melbourne and Fr Joseph Dalton, SJ  Provincial.  Within twelve days of their arrival the Sisters opened their first high school and free school. Further groups arrived in 1884, 1885 and 1888, and their work rapidly expanded. The author draws on contemporary accounts to write this most interesting book.     More ...

Growing up  in St. Joseph’s Boy’s Home,  Maasin Philippines by Elvisa Camilion fcJ and Judith Routier fcJ

There is a residential age limit for the boys at St Josephs Home, Maasin.  Once they reach  sixteen years  the boys must move from the home and find somewhere else to live.    But the staff of the home are still concerned for these ‘re-integrated’ boys.  During the school holidays Sr Elvisa fcJ and the staff  organised  a special  day  designed to give  the boys space and time to think about different aspects of ‘growing up’.   Back in the familiar setting of St Joseph’s the  boys were given help with prayer and with aspects of psychological and emotional development.  It was a profitable day for everyone.   More ...

“WITH JOY I PROCLAIM THE LORD!” Final Vow Ceremony – January 2nd and 3rd, 2010, Yogyakarta

A truly historic moment for the FCJs.  For the first time in a good number of years three of our sisters made final vows together.  Twenty FCJs were present for the entire occasion, as well as many friends and guests.  We gave thanks for our three sisters Beta, Inez and Wina, for their lives and vocations as FCJs and for all those who have been instrumental in bringing them to the point of final vows.  We gave thanks for all FCJ Sisters and Companions in Mission beginning with Marie Madeleine, our founder.    More ...

Preparation Program for Deepening Commitment as FCJs Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 30 Oct - 5 Dec 2009

Beta, Inez, Wina, and Yuni recently participated in a program to deepen their commitment as FCJs and to prepare for Final Vows. (Yuni fcJ made her final profession in November 2008.) The course director was Marion Dooley fcJ, accompanied by Margaret O’ Donohue fcJ, Clare Hand fcJ, Rachel Duffy fcJ, Afra Primadiana fcJ, and Wati Irene fcJ. The participants described their program as both an Inner Pilgrimage and an Outer Pilgrimage. They express their gratitude to all who have supported them in this journey to enrich, deepen and strengthen their commitment.     More ...

The Marie Madeleine d'Houët Prize for Religious Writing 2009— Genazzano, Melbourne

Genazzano College FCJ, Melbourne, Australia, holds an annual writing competition to celebrate the life and vision of Marie Madeleine d’Houët, the foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus. As 2009 marked 120 years in the history of Genazzano, many entries related this celebration to the ideas and issues that emanate from the religious and faith education which the girls receive. The competition period commences in the last week of term 3 to coincide with the birth date of Marie Madeleine, 21 September, 2009.    More ...

The Great Bake of Christmas Cakes – A Story of Generous Support

The Annual Great Bake of Christmas Cakes began in 1998 in Melbourne, Australia. Each year the 'Friends of Romania' (now known as the 'Friends of Romania and the Philippines) have, along with a growing number of volunteers, produced Christmas Cakes in great quantity to support the ministry in Romania and the Philippines. This year the Cake Bake raised about $35,000 dollars.      More ...

 

Ongoing situation following the Recent Floods in Manila  More ...

Floods in Manila - September 30, 2009

The Faithful Companions of Jesus have communities in the Philippines. The recent devastating floods have affected many areas of the city of Manila. One of the FCJ community houses was flooded nearly to the roof of the ground floor. In Payatas, a community where the FCJ Sisters operate a Centre, Bagong Silangan, lower levels of the community near the creek were badly flooded. The flood was sudden and at least 76 people, many of them children have died.       More ...

Congratulations to Meita on her first profession of Vows, Yogyakarta, 15 August 2009       More ...

Ministries in Australia and the Philippines highlighted in Kairos magazine      More ...

Julie Chamberlin honoured by the Australian Government

We are proud to acknowledge the great honour given to Julie Chamberlin, one of our Companions in Mission, in the Australian Government Honours List published yesterday.  She was honoured for service to education through a range of executive and teaching roles in the Catholic education system. We know that this honour is so justly deserved and, certainly, the FCJs have been and are beneficiaries of Julie’s great generosity in sharing her many talents in the service of others.  See article on Catholiic News.

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Other Recent News of Asia-Australia on the FCJ Society International Site: