MSS host Christmas gathering of thanks

17/12/2024

In a spirit of great joy and gratitude, the Missionary Sisters of Services hosted a Christmas gathering at the University of Divinity, Box Hill, on Friday 13 December. The gathering provided an opportunity for the MSS to thank the many people who have ‘joined the caravan’ of mission of being a presence of God’s love to all encountered in the Highways and Byways of Australia, and beyond.

Those gathered included most of the Melbourne-based MSS, Emerging Futures Collaborative staff, Highways and Byways Board members, MSS Stewardship Council members, Highways and Byways executive officer and former executive officer, and the newly appointed canonical delegate for the MSS, Sr Veronica Hoey SGS.

In thanking those gathered, Stancea Vichie MSS said, ‘This looks like the Last Supper, but believe me, this is not the last supper, because you are all part of us, and we are a part of you. We’re not the Missionary Sisters of Service separate from all of you—we are all one. And there will be more suppers!

‘We MSS love you all, very much, and say thank you to each of you for so much. We can’t begin to stop saying thank you. Thank you for being with what was originally the MSS “caravan”, but you’ve now made it very extensive. And we hope this continues for more time yet. Thanks for being with us, and for being part of our community.’

Marg Casey, chair of the Highways and Byways board, shared recent developments with regard to the MSS’s mission entity, Highways and Byways-Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves, Together.

‘Probably four years ago there were conversations with Highways and Byways, Stancea Vichie MSS and congregational leader of the Josephites about “we’re aligned, we’re similar, there’s a lot we do in common. How do we go forward? Do we go forward?” Over those four years, the collaboration has become such that as from 10th December 2024, we are now officially part of Mary MacKillop Today.

‘It’s been a huge journey but an exciting journey,’ Marg said. ‘The name will go on, the work of Highways and Byways will continue. It will be known as Mary MacKillop Today Highways and Byways Small Grants Program. So, the power of what the MSS have done over the past 80 years will be carried forward in this new way, managed by Mary MacKillop Today.

‘I’m filled with great hope. Everybody else is filled with great hope and great anticipation. We know it’s in good hands.’

Marg thanked the outgoing executive officer of Highways and Byways, Jane Collopy, for her ‘extraordinary job’ over the last three years. Jane also expressed her sincere thanks to the board of Highways and Byways, and to Marg Casey, chair of the board. To Marg, she said, ‘You’ve always been extremely supportive of me both personally and professionally. And you have always been very empowering. Always listening, making sure everyone’s voice has been heard. Thank you for all your support.’

As we come to the end of the year, we reflect on all the graces bestowed upon us and in the spirit of our founder, Fr John Wallis, express our ‘Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude’!