SPIRITUALITY 

Special Feast Days of the Congregation and their Liturgies

St. Joseph| Julian Tenison Woods| Mary MacKillop| Foundation Day| St. John the Baptist |Sacred Heart

Foundation Day
Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar
3rd September 1883

Foundation Day (3 September) commemorates the day when the four founding Sisters, Sr Joseph Dirkin (later called Sr Ambrose Joseph), Sr Baptist Dugan, Sr Imelda Flood and Sr Aloysius Cahill, began their teaching ministry at Lochinvar, the day after their arrival from Perthville.

Liturgy

Hymn

Lochinvar Hymn 


Scripture Reading

A reading from the first letter of Peter 3: 8-15

Finally, all of you have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called – that you might inherit a blessing.

For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.

(Julian Tenison Woods chose this passage as the ‘Epistle of the Institute’, including it with the original rule and ceremonies. He included it again at Perthville. The founding Lochinvar Sisters, therefore, brought with them and handed on this text as the Epistle of the Institute of St Joseph.)

Response to the Reading

Let us turn our faces and look into the heart of God and say:
‘You are my way into your heart. I will look and leave all else to You.”
…God knows that we can do nothing, but so dearly loves us to trust.
(Julian Tenison Woods, Letter to Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 17 June 1889)

Reflection 

The presence of God does not consist in thinking of God but in a sense of the presence of God in every occupation.
(Julian Tenison Woods, Book of Instruction, 1877)


Intercession Prayers

For the spirit of hope and unbounded confidence in God.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

For the spirit of prayer and prayerfulness.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

For the spirit of enthusiasm and fidelity.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

For the spirit of justice and reconciliation.
O Lord, hear our prayer. 

For the spirit of zeal and compassion.
O Lord, hear our prayer.

For the spirit of openness and daring.
O Lord, hear our prayer.


Concluding Prayer 

Loving God,
you are infinitely good and willing to carry us when we ask.
Hear these prayers we make to you
through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Blessing

May the God of our ancestors be with us 
as we recall with gratitude our past. Amen.

May the God present among us today
Enable us to read the signs of the times. Amen.

May the God of the future lead us onwards 
with hope. Amen.

We ask the blessing of God through Jesus Christ 
the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen