Religion News: St Mary of the Cross Mackillop.

On Monday, the 8^th of August, we celebrate the Feast day of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop.  Mary’s motto was courage, determination and integrity.

Introducing Mary Mackillop

Mary MacKillop was born in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, on 15 January 1842. She was the eldest of eight children. Her family struggled financially and, from the age of 14, Mary needed to work to help support the family. In 1860, she went to Penola in South Australia to be governess to her uncle’s children. She spoke with the local priest, Fr Julian Tennison Woods, about her desire to become a nun and together they dreamed of starting a religious group.

Six years later, on 19 March 1866 (St Joseph’s Day) Mary wore a plain black dress to signify that she had begun to live a Religious life. Within two years, 120 women had joined the Religious Institute. They took on the work of educating children in small parish schools and caring for orphans and needy women. Little did Fr Woods and Mary know what was to spring from so small a beginning.

These ‘Josephite’ Sisters walked the streets to visit the poor, and lived in twos and threes in rented houses in isolated areas or city slums. The Sisters lived and shared their possessions as equals.

Mary overcame many obstacles to follow her dream, but she never lost hope. Mary’s motto was ‘never see a need without trying to do something about it.’ Her life reveals to us a compassionate God, a God of love. Her actions acknowledged the human dignity of each person. Her life speaks to Australians, in a unique way, of the message of God’s love for all, especially for the ‘underdog’ and the ‘battler.’

As Australia’s first canonised saint, she embodies all that is best in our Australian nation and its people. (article from Resource).

We give thanks, for this ordinary Australian lady who did extra-ordinary things during her lifetime.  We give thanks for our school, that was established by the Sisters of St. Josephs of the Sacred Heart in 1918.  At that, time there were three sisters, two taught at the school and the other Sister taught music.  The Sisters were involved in the school until 1985.  From 1985 onwards, they were involved in pastoral care and faith educators for catholic children attending government school within the area. We were lucky to have the Sisters of St. Josephs in Yarram for over 100 years.

Mary truly followed in the Footsteps of Jesus.

Her work continues today. The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart serve not only in Australia and New Zealand but also in Peru, Brazil, East Timor and in Scotland and Ireland, although the name and inspiration of Mary MacKillop extend well beyond these places and across the globe.

This is an interesting article I found about the establishment of our school and the Yarram Secondary School.

Please click on the link to read the article

Kind Regards,

Sue