HOLY SPIRIT SISTERS

AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE

The Holy Spirit Sisters are an international group of women numbering approximately 4000 members in 43 countries around the world. The Institute was founded by Fr Arnold Janssen in 1889 in Steyl, Holland. Father Arnold saw the need for women religious to complement the work of the Divine Word Missionaries who had spread throughout the world following the colonial expansion of the 19th. Century. The Australian province was established after World War II at the invitation of Archbishop Duhig of Brisbane. Many of the founding sisters had been brought down to Brisbane at the end of the war, having been prisoners of war with the Japanese in Papua New Guinea.

As Holy Spirit Sisters we share the Love of God through a variety of ministries. We have a common call to mission being ever ready to go wherever we are needed. We remain open to the Spirit in ourselves and in other cultures and peoples. We live in community, sharing its supports and challenges.

MISSION AND MINISTRY

We are international and as such our witness to multicultural living is an important part of our charism. We remain ready to go to any country where we are needed. Our ministries include: Education, Health, Pastoral care, Spiritual guidance, Adult Education, Catechetics, Chaplaincy work, Social work, Administration and Interfaith dialogue.

In Australia the sisters feel called to those on the margin, Indigenous people, Refugees and Migrants. We are engaged in Health and Aged Care.