My early memories of growing up are good memories, surprisingly profound in hindsight. My parents and the three of us were impacted greatly by the then ‘signs of the times’. Now, several years later, I realise that this experience was a strong basis for the choices I...
Our News
We, Missionary Sisters of Service, keep busy in our various communities. We host and attend events, are busy with different projects, and happenings. On this page, you’ll find links to all our latest news and events, reflections and books.
Mary Cleary MSS, on life and mission
This year, Mary Cleary celebrated the diamond jubilee (60-year anniversary) of when she first joined the MSS. She was 22 years old, and had moved from her hometown of Warwick, a town about 130 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, Queensland, to join the community down...
Frances McShane MSS, a life of service and welcome
Frances McShane MSS was born in Broadmarsh, Tasmania and is one of nine in the family. She joined the MSS in 1960 and was professed on the Feast of the Assumption, 15 August 1963. Reflecting on her time as an MSS and some of the stories that remain close to her heart,...
My introduction to Fr John Wallis
Reflection by Catherine Carr, MSS Coordinator Fr John Wallis was born on 11th June 1910 in the Victorian country town of Yea. On 9th June 2022, 112 years after his birth, at the Melbourne home of his niece Bernadette Wallis, several MSS women and staff gathered to...
The mud and the lotus, holding joy and suffering together
In this moving and tender reflection, Corrie van den Bosch MSS explores the potential meaning of a dream she had. A dream that followed her reading a paper on Women and Suffering, which highlighted the inter-relatedness of joy and sorrow within our world - that you...
Pondering the wonders of the universe
Between Christmas and New Year, Corrie van den Bosch MSS spent 'five glorious days' in Victoria’s High Country, in the company of twelve members of the Catholic Walking Club of Victoria. In a reflection written for Contemplative Evolution Network, 'Room in our Hearts...
Taking time to pause for creation
Within the Christian faith tradition, the Season of Creation is from 1 September to 4 October, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. It is a time to focus our prayers and energy on care for Earth and all of creation. To mark this season, the MSS together with...
Until we see, a reflection
Corrie van den Bosch has written a reflection for Contemplative Evolution Network (CEN), of which she's a member. CEN is a network of people who seek to change the violent and hurting situations in our world through the power and intention of contemplative time...
Bringing life and love to the world
Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors to this website are advised that this post may contain images of deceased persons. . Over Mother's Day weekend, a number of brief reflections were posted online by Melbourne Catholics, recounting the significant...
Reflection for World Day of Social Justice, February 20
Our friend Andrew Hamilton SJ has kindly share this reflection to mark World Day of Social Justice on 20th February. In Australia the World Day of Social Justice goes pretty much unnoticed. It is swamped by the start of the school year, the gathering speed and urgency...
Beryl Gleeson: counting her blessings each day
At 86 years of age, Beryl Gleeson MSS is “more content now” than she’s ever been. Having entered the Missionary Sisters of Service community in August 1969 at age 34, she says now is a time for enjoying each moment, counting the blessings, and being at ease in “not...
Life as Mission, a reflection by Maureen Hickling MSS
Maureen Hickling MSS featured in our August 2020 newsletter. Here is the full version of Maureen's beautiful reflection, which had been originally shared as part of our 2019 MSS Chapter Gathering. Maureen wrote: For more than 20 years now I have lived, moved and had...