We are privileged to have three Congregations of Religious Women in our two parishes

Sisters of St Joseph	Presentation Sisters	Sisters of Mercy
Go to website for Sisters of St Joseph Here is a short excerpt: "We, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, often called the Josephites ('Brown Joeys'), were founded in Penola, South Australia in 1866 by an Australian woman Mary MacKillop, and an English priest Reverend Julian E Tenison Woods. From the beginning the Sisters lived among the ordinary people in houses of two or three throughout the various colonies, providing education and support for the children and families living in isolated areas and city slums. We have always had a centralised structure so that the Sisters could travel, regardless of geographical borders, to the places where there were great needs and no one else available to help. The Centre of the Congregation is at Mary MacKillop Place, Mount Street North Sydney where Mary MacKillop's tomb is enshrined in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel. Today there are about a thousand of us living and working throughout Australia (South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia) and New Zealand, as well as Ireland and Peru.."./span>	Go to website for Presentation Sisters' Lismore Congregation "As Australian Presentation Women We live the mission of Jesus in the spirit of Nano Nagle in a world in need of hope. We recognise our connection with Presentation Sisters in Australia and around the world. We commit ourselves to act on Congress and IPA Directions for Mission in ways that are relevant to our particular situation especially with regard to Reconciliation and Care for the Earth. As Lismore Presentation Women at this particular time in our history We stand with those made poor and those who are alienated in Society and within the Church."	Go to website for the Sisters' Grafton Congregation Here is a short excerpt: "Parish Ministry is a work of the sisters today, which includes many opportunities for traditional mercy ministry including visitation of those in need in their homes, hospitals and aged care facilities. Sisters in Parish Ministry are involved in sacramental programs, support of the bereaved, parish liturgy, teaching children in state schools, engaging with adults seeking faith development and personal growth opportunities. Several Sisters are directly and indirectly involved in education ranging from administrative and leadership roles, to face to face teaching in the classroom. Some of this takes place in the Lismore diocese and some in the Archdiocese of Sydney, as well as in the State Prison System. Care of the Aged is of special concern and finds expression in the work of sisters in direct care roles in aged care facilities and in the community."
Sr Kathryn Sweeney RSJ	PRESENTATION SISTERS FAREWELL FROM BALLINA PARISH	Sister Aileen Larkin R.S.M. celebrates Diamond Jubilee