Many Josephite Sisters gathered at Tenison Court, in Lochinvar to greet Bishop Michael Kennedy on 1st December, a stormy afternoon on the first day of summer. He had planned to meet with us early in the year but unfortunately, circumstances caused that to be changed.
Though a number of Sisters had met Bishop Michael at various diocesan functions or during his visits to the parishes, this occasion marked his first official visit to our Congregation.
Sr Jeannine welcomed Bishop Michael on behalf of all the Sisters, giving him a brief account of our history, on this the 140th anniversary of our foundation in the diocese.
Bishop Michael replied saying that he was new to the Hunter Valley, as he had never visited before his appointment here as the ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle . He was installed as bishop in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton on Friday 17 March 2023, an appropriate date for a man of Irish ancestry.
Born and educated in Wagga Wagga, he continued his academic and priestly studies at the Urban College of Propaganda Fide in Rome. After a number of appointments in his home diocese, he was appointed as Bishop of Armidale in 2012. He served there until his move to our diocese in March 2023.
Bishop Michael had visited both St Patrick’s Primary School and St Joseph’s College before arriving in our community hub. He moved easily among the Sisters and chatted with everyone before sitting down with them for a relaxing afternoon tea.