Sisters attend Tenison Woods Family Reunion
Adelaide - Penola
13 – 18 November 2008

Between 13th and 18th November many Sisters attended the first Tenison Woods family reunion, with the invitation from the organising family members drawing us back to our Adelaide/ Penola foundations.

Three Woods siblings, one, Pam Tobin, at the fore, hosted the reunion, inviting all Tenison Woods descendants, Sisters of St Joseph and Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. It was a big venture needing enthusiasm and especially courage, with Pam diagnosed with further illness, needing surgery and chemotherapy. Despite all, the plans went ahead. Descendants of Fr Julian’s two brothers, James and Terry, attended, several meeting for the first time, including descendants of Terry’s eldest daughter, Henrietta, born in Penola and son Julian, born in Sydney. There were a few Julians among James descendants at the gatherings. Sisters came from the eastern states and New Zealand, joining the Adelaide Sisters. Relatives travelled from many areas including Cairns, Brisbane, Wollongong, Melbourne, and the Northern Territory.

The Reunion was organised around Fr Julian’s birthday. Invitations in gold stationery personally addressed were sent to all the family, Josephite province and congregational leaders, Perpetual Adoration Sisters and Mary MacKillop Centres. The Reunion began with a Welcome evening, where Marie Foale rsj addressed the attentive group after all enjoyed meeting over a meal.

On Saturday morning the Sisters gave the visitors a warm welcome at the Mary MacKillop Centre. Patricia Keane rsj addressed us in St Joseph’s Chapel and helped bring Mary, Julian and the early Sisters, especially the Woods Sisters Mechtilde and Eustelle alive for us. We enjoyed morning tea and a special display of Fr Woods’ material, as well as the Centre.

The evening brought the main function, the Reunion Dinner. Dr Elery Hamilton Smith, who met Fr Julian through his study of caves and became inspired by the man, himself, addressed us. (See Mary MacKillop Penola Centre, March 2007) We then enjoyed Bishop Greg O'Kelly’s booklaunch of Yrs Most Afftly, Fr Julian’s letters to his brother Terry and Terry’s wife. (This is available, $15 plus postage, at Mary MacKillop Centres, Adelaide, North Sydney, Penola and Villa Maria Brisbane.). The Letters, well annotated by Anne Player rsj, open new insight into Julian. Anne spoke, encouraging us that we’ll know Woods much better if we read her introduction and notes, as well as the letters. The Letters are aptly illustrated by Sylvia Louth, who also sculpted the model of Julian on his horse, as shown above.

A portrait of Fr Julian, painted by Helen Woods, wife of Colin, one of the host family, was unveiled at the dinner. The numbers attending reflect the enthusiasm: there were 78 at the Welcome and 105 at the dinner.

 

 

There was also a day trip, with talks and lunch on Sunday, and for some who could stay, there was a Monday around special sites in Adelaide or a two day trip to Penola and return. From March, Pam sent a monthly newsletter to all invited and her Newsletter after the Reunion captures the spirit of the event. (Click here for Pam’s December Newsletter.) As well as enjoying the Reunion events, all visiting Sisters enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Kensington Sisters. This was an added and much appreciated dimension for the Sisters.

Jan Tranter rsj

 

My experience of the Tenison Woods Reunion: some Sisters’ comments

My feeling during the various gatherings of the Woods Reunion was one of connectedness. The reality of "spiritual family" touched me. It was as real as the blood-line that connects the descendants of Julian's brothers. We Sisters of St Joseph could rejoice with the Woods sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins that we "belong" and that their story is our story and ours theirs. The launch of "Yrs Most Afftly", the letters of Julian to Terry and Sarah, illustrated this connection in a special way. I am sure that the heritage that is ours will continue to be blessing to our church and world.
Mary Cresp rsj

It was a privilege to be invited to the Woods family reunion in Adelaide this month, to honour Father Woods on his birthday, 15 November. Not only was it an occasion to launch Sister Anne Player's edition of Father Julian's letters to his brother Terence [some Terence descendants were there], but most of all to encounter so many of James Dominic's descendants, and to see that the Woods genes are so strong - lively, accomplished, sociable people of this generation, not least Pam [Woods] Tobin who organised and led the gathering.

My chief reason for taking the Penola trip was to meet Chris Goudey and his wife, to hear him talk about his collection of all the fossils gathered and described by Father Woods, and to see them so carefully and beautifully housed in the Woods section of the MacKillop Centre there. Chris clearly has not only been impressed by the Woods scientific gifts, but captured by the man himself.
Margaret Press rsj

I found the Reunion a wonderful celebration of the Woods family, and especially of that truly great man whom we remember and honour and as our Father Founder. Everyone seemed so happy to be there and to share their stories. I enjoyed my time there very much indeed.
Marie Foale rsj

Our trip to South Australia was a return to our roots. Until now Penola, and other significant names of places and people were just that – names on paper. The invitation to attend the Tenison Woods Family Reunion provided the opportunity to bring the story to life. To mix and mingle with the Woods descendants was a special privilege. It was fascinating to read the name tags and see ‘Julian Tenison Woods’ among other names and to see the family interacting.... (Click here for full comment.)
Veronica Rogers rsj and Lucille Taylor rsj

I was only able to attend the Saturday night dinner but I found the experience to be a wonderful celebration of the life and influence of Fr Woods. It was great to meet so many of his descendants and to hear of the esteem in which he is held by them. The collection of letters gave a very human insight of Julian as a brother and one who dearly loved his family.
Sheila McCreanor rsj

One highlight for me was travelling with the Woods family and the Sisters on the trip to and from Penola, being with Julian’s blood family and our Josephite family, with the feeling of being one. The other was seeing and hearing the two men, originally connected to Julian through natural science, in cave or fossil research, but now drawn deeply by the man. Dr Elery Hamilton-Smith and Chris Goudey were both deeply moved speaking of him.
Chris O’Connor rsj