Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and former CRA President Sister Monica Cavanagh has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours for Service to the Catholic Church of Australia.

Sr Monica has been part of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph for nearly 50 years, having joined the Congregation in 1970. Having initially trained in education and worked as a primary school teacher, Sr Monica has a natural passion for education.

Sr Monica went on to continue her work in education across a variety of parishes and dioceses in Australia, working with adults in the fields of faith formation and lay leadership. She is widely recognised as having changed many peoples’ lives through her teaching endeavours, her pastoral commitment and guiding people in the spiritual development of their lives. Sr Monica worked tirelessly at the time of Mary MacKillop’s canonisation in preparing Australians for this important moment in our history.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia. I look to the many women who have shown leadership in the Church and in our Congregation over the years, and in receiving this award I want to acknowledge them and the Sisters of Saint Joseph,” Sr Monica said.

Sr Monica said she has always wanted to be of service to the wider community and drew inspiration from her mother, who had a deep sense of leadership and community-mindedness, and her father, who always encouraged their children to think about the missions.

“I was also inspired by Mary MacKillop and her contribution to Australia – I admire her courage, her tenacity, her resilience and her deep respect for the dignity of each person,” she said.

“The people I have worked with – those who have ministered to me and those I have ministered with – and others like the brave RFS volunteers deserve this award more than me.”

Her advice to young Australians of faith is to be the voice of the gospel and the face of God in the world today.

“Be courageous and use your passion and energy to address the critical issues facing the world and church today.”

Among her numerous achievements, Sr Monica has been the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and re-elected for a second term commencing next month, was President Catholic Religious Australia as well as serving on its Council, and acted as the facilitator of senior meetings with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). She holds an MA in Pastoral Leadership, B Ed and Grad Diploma in Religious Education and studied Community Development in the Philippines and Mission Studies at the Pacific Mission Institute in Sydney. She is currently the delegate of the Australian Women Religious Leaders at Congregational Leader’s International Meetings.

This article was published on the website of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.