St Joseph’s College, Echuca

Justice: Grounded in empathy, strengthened by action

As we enter our 140th year at St Joseph’s College, Echuca, we find ourselves continually drawn back to the legacy gifted to us by our four foundresses. This legacy is beautifully captured in our simple yet profound motto, ‘Strength and Kindliness’ a call to live with strength of conviction and a deep sense of justice, balanced with the kindliness and compassion required to bring those convictions to life; a compassion that embraces all.

An anecdote from our archives offers a powerful illustration of the Brigidine spirit of justice in action. In the depths of the Great Depression, when hardship was felt across all communities and especially among families on the land many faced impossible decisions about how to provide for their families. With banks failing and uncertainty ever-present, the strain was immense. In response, the Brigidine Sisters quietly and compassionately enacted a simple yet profound gesture of support. It became known that for families unable to meet school fees, payment in kind would be accepted. Those experiencing financial hardship brought what they could produce, food, and essential items to the convent. Firewood, so vital to the daily running of the kitchens, was supplied by those who, despite losing employment, remained committed to supporting their children’s education. This support continues today.

Even the students themselves embodied this spirit of service. Several of the older girls took on responsibilities within the junior school, offering their time and care to support the community. This call to action is not unique to St Joseph’s, but what is unique is the quiet action and support that continues. That is providing support without acknowledgement or announcement- just doing and ultimately receiving the gift of giving.

The empathy shown by the Brigidine Sisters during this challenging period was not expressed through grand gestures or public declarations, but through quiet, thoughtful actions. It is in these kind yet powerful responses that we see the true expression of the Brigidine charism justice grounded in empathy, and strengthened through action.