Responding Together

Celebrating Mary MacKillop in August

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24 July 2026
Painting ‘Untitled’ by Carmelita Clohesy © Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Used with permission.

As we celebrate the feast of Australia’s first and only canonised saint, and our Congregational co-founder, Saint Mary MacKillop, on 8 August, we invite you to explore the events and opportunities being offered by our ministries across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

Aotearoa New Zealand

Celebrating Mary MacKillop: Vigil Ritual and Light Tea – Auckland

A time of prayer to honour Mary MacKillop ad how her life is an inspiration for us today.

  • Date: Friday 7 August
  • Time: 5:30pm
  • Venue: Chapel – Mary MacKillop Centre, Mission Bay ANZ
  • Leaders: Josephite Companions and Sisters
  • More information (email): MBSpirituality@sosj.org.au

Australia

New South Wales

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day Mass – Baulkham Hills

Join us as we celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint where we come together in prayer, reflection and community to give thanks for her remarkable life. All are welcome.

The Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop – Kincumber South

We welcome you all to Mass at 10am (with Fr Bogdan) in the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre Chapel. Mass will be followed by a home-cooked morning tea, and a tour of the grounds for those who wish, or who may be visiting for the first time.

  • Date: Saturday 8 August
  • Time: 10:00am Mass, followed by morning tea
  • Venue: Chapel – Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Central Coast (Kincumber South, New South Wales)
  • Price: $20 per person
  • More information and to book (by 1 August): www.mmsm.org.au/events/the-feast-of-saint-mary-mackillop

Women’s Breakfast: Saint Mary MacKillop – An Icon for Australia – Baulkham Hills

Join us for our Women’s Breakfast, celebrating the feast of the Assumption with Mass, breakfast, and reflection. Sr Catherine Mead (who is part of our Congregational Leadership Team), is the guest speaker and will explore Mary’s (the mother of Jesus) faithful “yes” to God, and how it was lived out so beautifully in the life and mission of St Mary MacKillop. Women of all ages are warmly invited.

South Australia

Mary MacKillop as Change-maker – Kensington

160 years ago, Mary MacKillop took a step that marked the beginnings of the Sisterhood of St Joseph in Australia. Australia would never be the same again. Today we celebrate Mary MacKillop as a change-maker, reflecting on those aspects in her character and life that could single each of us out, too, as we take up the challenges of God to us in our time. Facilitated by Sr Mary Cresp.

Feast of St Mary MacKillop – Kensington

Together with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Ministry invite you to celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with Mass to be celebrated by Fr Maurice Shinnick in St Joseph’s Chapel. Following Mass, join the Sisters in Bethany Centre for a relaxed and friendly morning tea. You may then choose to visit the Mary MacKillop Museum (reduced entry $8) or if the weather is fine, pick up a guidebook and follow in Mary’s footsteps by completing the Kensington-Norwood Mary MacKillop Heritage Walk.

  • Date: Saturday 8 August
  • Time: 10:00am Mass, followed by morning tea in the Bethany Centre
  • Venue: Chapel – Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Adelaide (Kensington, South Australia)
  • Price: Donation appreciated
  • More information: www.mmsm.org.au/events/feast-of-st-mary-mackillop-3

Victoria

Open Day – St Mary MacKillop Feast Day – East Melbourne

Join us to celebrate the feast day of St Mary MacKillop with an open day of prayer, reflection, and community. There will be guided tours of the museum, Mass celebrated in the Chapel where Mary has prayed, and a movie screening of Glorious Lives: Mary MacKillop.