Ruth+Carr+-+St+Joseph's+Nth+Ward

As the oldest Catholic primary school in Townsville, St. Joseph’s the Strand was founded in 1873 by Blessed Mother Mary MacKillop and her Josephite Sisters. After five years the sisters were recalled to Sydney and the Sisters of Mercy reopened the school in 1879. In light of the fact that Mary MacKillop is to be Australia’s first saint, today there is a rich mixture of both the Mercy and Josephite heritage. This marriage of tradition occurs because there are many similarities between the works of both orders along with the unique situation of having a school named in the Josephite tradition yet having such a long association with the teachings and philosophy of Catherine McAuley. However does this rich Irish/Australian Catholic heritage lead St. Joseph’s into having a rich charism? Perhaps it is better to say that what we have running through our systemic schools is a golden thread better defined as Catholic charism rather than an alignment with any particular religious order. There are certainly elements that are common in nine the Catholic schools that I have taught in, however what I witness at St. Joseph’s is no more distinctive in its approach to charism that than any other Catholic systemic school. It is more important than ever to invest time in our systemic schools discovering and living our charisms as our schools are now predominantly staffed by laity. Those who have taken Religious orders are in a minority and the children in our schools have very little dealings with the orders who established our parish schools. It order to give children an understanding an appreciation of living the Gospel it is imperative that we as educators live that charism so as it is passed on, along with the schools traditions and rituals. When it comes to charism what are the positives, minus’ and interesting things, at St. Joseph’s the Strand North Ward?