Cath News report: Only two Sisters of St Joseph are under age 40, sparking concern over the future of its works and prompting the sisters to use the internet to attract more women to the congregation, reports The Mosman Daily.
They have also developed ways of having people who want to help without becoming sisters do some of their work.
The congregation's youngest sister is 26, and they also have a sister who is in her early 30s, according to Sister Anne Derwin.
She said it was hard to predict whether the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop would lead to an increase in young women wanting to become sisters.
In the future, she sees the congregation as being "run by a small group of women".
"It would be lovely to have lots of young women becoming sisters. But it's not something you just rush into. It's like marriage. You have to give it time to be sure it is what you are meant to do.
"But I would recommend it. I'd say it's a very fulfilling way to live." She said people who did not want to become a sister could take private vows of chastity, poverty and obedience while living independently of the congregation.
This "vowed affiliation" group is open to both men and women. http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24102
They have also developed ways of having people who want to help without becoming sisters do some of their work.
The congregation's youngest sister is 26, and they also have a sister who is in her early 30s, according to Sister Anne Derwin.
She said it was hard to predict whether the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop would lead to an increase in young women wanting to become sisters.
In the future, she sees the congregation as being "run by a small group of women".
"It would be lovely to have lots of young women becoming sisters. But it's not something you just rush into. It's like marriage. You have to give it time to be sure it is what you are meant to do.
"But I would recommend it. I'd say it's a very fulfilling way to live." She said people who did not want to become a sister could take private vows of chastity, poverty and obedience while living independently of the congregation.
This "vowed affiliation" group is open to both men and women. http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24102
Comments