As we enter into this time of Advent, and usher in a new Church year, we pray that all may enter deeply into these days with expectant hope in the arrival of the Christ Child. And as we ‘wrap up’ and share our latest news in the December eNewsletter, it’s clear we have so much to be grateful for!
In 2024, our community of women, together with many of you who’ve been part of our journey, will celebrate our 80-year anniversary of foundation. This is such a wonderful occasion, as we once again take time to reflect on our history and celebrate and give thanks for how far we’ve come as a community. Our official foundation day is 8 July 1944. Next year, we hope to celebrate within our local communities where the sisters currently live— Melbourne, Victoria; Hobart, Tasmania; Toowoomba, Queensland; and Port Pirie, South Australia. We’ll be sure to keep you posted via our website and Facebook page
Lorraine Groves MSS in Hobart was awarded a medal for her years on unceasing service in the Church of Tasmania; Cheryle Thomson MSS has made returned to her hometown of Port Pirie in South Australia having lived for 33 years in Whyalla, South Australia. With Cheryle’s move, this ends our MSS presence in Whyalla of 52.5 years. Kath Clune MSS features in a book by Dr Maggie Kirkman titled Time of our Lives: Celebrating Older Women. While Corrie van den Bosch MSS is celebrating the launch of her new book, Graced Beyond Telling – A Soul’s Dark Journey, published by Coventry Press.
In light of the recent referendum result on Constitutional Recognition and the establishment of a Voice to Parliament, we acknowledge the deep disappointment and sadness of those who were hoping for a positive result, particularly our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers. It is a regret shared by many within our own community, at this time. In response, we have penned this letter to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers.
Read these stories, and so much more, in the December eNewsletter. There’s also an additional reflection by Pat Quinn MSS in the MSS eNewsletter sharing what’s ‘at the heart’ of our vision and mission and spirit. The short video below features Pat reflecting on the question: How would someone know Highways and Byways is carrying on the vision and mission of the MSS?
View the December eNewsletter of our mission entity, Highway and Byways. It’s full of inspiring updates and stories from its Small Grants Program, including a new report highlighting the impacts of projects funded last year. The newsletter also share the details of its 2024 Small Grants Program.
Download a PDF version of the MSS newsletter, here.