Mary MacKillop’s Legacy in our Schools
August 7, 2024
Mary MacKillop left a striking example for school leaders today. Perhaps the greatest legacies for our schools are a willingness to act – inspired by the signs of the times, to see God in the communities we walk with, and a Holy Spirit enthused passion for authentic equity.
Mary modelled witness and vision as an Australian, creating an education system for the Australia of her time. In presenting her case to Rome for approval of her Sisterhood in 1873, Mary had argued her case on the premise that ‘It is an Australian who writes this…’. We shouldn’t underplay the significance. Australia at that time was dominated by an Anglo-Irish Catholic clergy and she was writing to an Italian born Pope. She understood and articulated the power of education in overcoming the poverty and challenges of the isolated harshness of the Australian outback, just as well as she understood the role of her sisters in supporting the marginalised in bustling colonial cities. Her legacy to us as Josephite educators is to similarly sense the challenges of our communities and walk alongside them in their battles.
Honouring St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: A Legacy of Mission and Compassion
As we approach the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we are reminded of the profound impact of her mission to serve. Mary’s life and work continue to inspire us to accompany the marginalised, echoing her commitment to see the face of Christ in every person.
On the occasion of Mary’s feast this year, we find ourselves in the throes of the Paris Olympics, marvelling at the feats of endurance and skill of so many of our athletes. Those who win gold and all others who qualified for this international event, are regarded as heroes/heroines who epitomise the Australian spirit of working hard and doing their best for things they truly believe in. While training they put other aspects of their lives aside, sometimes receiving criticism and derision for their dedication. They seek advice and strategies about the best ways to perform their chosen sport, and they practise the same activities over and over, even under adverse conditions, to be able to give their best when it matters.
Saint Mary MacKillop Feast Day 2024
The month of August gives us a special opportunity to focus on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop as we celebrate her feast day on 8 August. All around Australia and beyond, people will be gathering to celebrate the gift of this woman of faith to our Church and our world. A special place of pilgrimage will be at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, where Mary’s tomb is located. There will be a Mass celebrating the feast of Mary at 10:00am AEST which will be live streamed here.
This feast day we give thanks for Mary MacKillop’s ongoing commitment to the ongoing spiritual and faith development of children and their families. Mary MacKillop’s faith in and service of God were unceasing. Her deep faith in her good God enabled Mary to walk in and through the many obstacles she faced with confidence, hope and perseverance. Mary acknowledged that the presence of God seemed to follow her everywhere and made everything she did and said a prayer. She had that wonderful capacity to find God in both the messiness of life as well as in moments of joy.
Mary MacKillop Feast Day Celebrations 2024
July 25, 2024Mary MacKillop Place, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Mary MacKillop Today extend a warm invitation to all to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Thursday, 8 August 2024.
We look forward to welcoming everyone, including our pilgrims and supporters, to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
Celebrating St Mary MacKillop’s Feast at Josephite Centres
July 24, 2024
Some of our Josephite Spirituality Centres will be hosting celebrations for the feast of St Mary MacKillop on Thursday 8 August.
Feast of St Ignatius – Finding God in a time of Plague
The medieval town of Manresa sits upon the banks of the Cardoner River, a little north of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. For devotees of Ignatian spirituality and Jesuits, Manresa is intimately linked to the story of St Ignatius of Loyola’s conversion and the place where his famous manual for prayer, the Spiritual Exercises were conceived.
International Day of Friendship – JAG Training Weekend
To the Josephite Action Group (JAG), friendship means trusting in a shared mission that ignites hope and walking alongside each other to spread light for the community.
We were privileged to witness this meaning of friendship at our lastest JAG Training Weekend held at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills, where old faces reunited, and new connections were forged.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
We always went on a journey to visit my grandparents and my paternal great grandparents. We made a train trip and a further trek in a rail motor. As I reminisce, I thought of these wonderful relatives as ‘old’ but special, and they represent times of gatherings and great excitement. These family elders were the hub of the extended family.
Time brings change and a crumbling of some relationships. This is further exacerbated when the next generation moves on and we can scramble to keep the relationships going. Thankfully we can be among the lucky ones when we do have connections and gatherings.
Pope Francis draws attention to the plight of grandparents who live away from their families and live in another country or state. I have witnessed the longing and loneliness of those who do not enjoy the privilege of the company of their progeny when they are surrounded by others who have constant interaction with their families.