Friendship, faith, fine food and wine.

Those words describe the 2022 TWEC Dinner hosted last Friday night.  

More than 100 people filled the Therry Centre at East Maitland to come together for the first time in two years to celebrate the work of the Tenison Woods Education Centre (TWEC) and the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar.  

Sister Patricia Egan was excited to see so many people show their support on the night.  

“It was really good to see all of these people again. Many of the attendees have  come year after year, we’ve known them for ages, so it was great to catch up all together since COVID affected our last events,” she said.  

While the night gave people the opportunity to reconnect with others, it was also a chance to reflect on TWEC’s incredible work and everything it has done since 1995.  

“Strictly speaking TWEC is the Tenison Woods Education Centre, and it was set up by our sisters because they saw the need for formation in adults in the church,” Sister Patricia said. 

“Years ago, it was only the Priests and the Nuns who were educated, and people needed to be not only educated but formed in their faith to be able to do what we’re supposed to do because we’re all the church – all of us.  

“I am 82 now, and when I was young it was a completely different church. You did what the priest said and that was it, whereas now people can, and should, take the initiative to do whatever is necessary to fulfil the church's mission.” 

When it comes to why people are so passionate about TWEC, Sister Patricia believes it’s because of how the centre helps them develop their faith.  

“I think part of the reason is that when they’ve done courses, they have really benefitted from it faith-wise and community-wise,” she said.  

“They’ve built up excellent relationships with one another, and they’ve been very good to us as Josephite’s. 

“I hope they continue to support the Pastoral Ministries the way they have supported us.” 

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