Description

This is of course a story of how a religious order gave new expression to its distinctive values and tradition in establishing a wider community of lay associates. The Sisters of St Joseph from the outset were practical, adaptable and relatively informal – focused on meeting needs where they saw them and stretching themselves thin to do so. Mary Cresp captures these Josephite values beautifully as she unfolds the development of the order’s Associates/Companions. But it’s not a book just about the Josephites. It’s much more – a case study in how Catholic communities in several countries have responded to the challenges of the Second Vatican Council and to changing times. For that it’s well worth a read.
Peter Cahalan PhD – formerly CEO of the History Trust of South Australia.

In her history of Josephite Associates over 40 years, Mary Cresp rsj informs her scholarly experience and thoroughness with documentation and contributions from more than 200 people who were themselves involved in creating that story. She describes the evolution of Josephite Associates to Josephite Companions as a “story of relationships”. It is a story with lessons about relationships and formation, but also about persistence of vision, about living with unresolved questions, about fostering the emergence of new leadership and above all about walking together with joy in a shared baptismal mission.
Anne Benjamin, Honorary Professor, Australian Catholic University. Consultant to Biographical Dictionary of Australian Catholic Educators.

Mary Cresp rsj belongs to that extraordinary cohort of women who have, under the charism of St Mary of Cross, given so much to the people of Australia. Her fine overview of the historical development of different forms of ministry in the Catholic Church – leading specifically to the development of the Josephite Associate Movement – is a welcome contribution to a much-needed re-think of ministry. I commend her thoughtful and rich book to anyone who is interested in ministry in the Catholic Church – especially those interested in following the charism of St Mary of the Cross.
Michael Whelan SM, PhD – formerly Head of Sydney College of Divinity and Principal of Sydney Catholic Theological Union; currently Head of Aquinas Academy, Sydney.

Mary Cresp MTS is a Sister of St Joseph from South Australia. Ministries have included teaching, parish work, spiritual direction and staff formation and she has held a number of leadership and executive positions including Congregational Leader (the Sisters of St Joseph and the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration) and Executive Director of the Conference of Australia Religious. Books written include Choosing Life (co-authored 2001), In the Spirit of Joseph (2005), Villa Maria (2009), Prayer-Chats with Julian (2010), In Her footsteps (2012), God’s Good Time: Sisters of St Joseph in Ministry with Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2013) and Journeying with Joseph (edited 2021).