Mary+Mudge+-+St+Joseph's+Mundingburra

St Joseph's School was founded by the Josephites in 1926 and thrived under their guidance until 1991. Range of attitudes towards educating about charism - 'we have done it to death' to 'what is the use of Light for the Journey if we do not continue to build on what we have' Generally there is great support for the exploration of the charism of the Josephites and its meaning for us today. Over the last five years there have been two major sets of inservice focussing on the charism of Mary MacKillop. Researcher, author, Josephite, Margaret McKenna has led both inservices with Sr Annette Arnold co-facilitating for one over two days. Icons are well displayed in the classrooms. Feast day is well celebrated with the students and staff with invitation extended to parents. School board has been inserviced on both a historical basis and with an emphasis on charism. Statue of Mary MacKillop has been commissioned and will stand as a very obvious symbol of the Josephite influence on the school Aspects of charism are focussed upon in significant prayer times with teachers. Feast Day of Blessed Mary MacKillop invovled whole community - education, celebration, prayer and worship

Well defined in the school's Statement of Religious Character, forms part of prayer and worship for staff, students. Story is well-known and shared. Pope Paul (1995) at Beatification said "Mary MacKillop embodies .......genuine openness to others, hospitality to strangers, generosity to the needy, justice to those unfairly treated, perseverance in the face of adversity, kindness and support to the suffering. "

Challenge: All are responsible for its continued life within the school - shared responsibility in passing on the charism. How is Mary Mackillop's vision lived out today?

Catechism of the Catholic church .....Charism is thus a way of giving the Christian faith a context in the physical world, in actual people, in time and place....Charisms are distinctive ways of incarnating, of living, the Christian faith - ways that may be incarnated in a particiular ministry, or a particular tradition in the church," Brien and Hack....Charism provides a philosophy and foundational principles on which to build a community, an understanding of the world, a culture, a distinctive way of being and a Catholic identity. .... Educators need to work with charisms to make them vibrant living realities which give direction and help community members make meaning of their lives."