Mary MacKillop Melbourne

Walking the streets with Australia's first saint

2008-07-25T13:52:00.011+10:00

Colombians, Hungarians, Australians, Malaysians and East Timorese joined together to travel with Mary MacKillop on the path to World Youth Day, Sydney 2008. MAGiS 08, a work of the MAGiS Community which is run by Ignation religious orders and lay communities was a program that ran from from 5 July to 20 July 2008. It offered a week of ‘experiments,’ an Ignation Gathering in Sydney and the World Youth Day week of activities. The MAGiS experiments, which took place from 5 – 11 July across Australia and the Asia Pacific challenged people to engage radically with the life of Jesus creatively, through service and pilgrimage, and to challenge oneself and emerge into the world of the experiment.

Walking the streets with Australia’s First Saint, was one such experiment. Where participants journeyed into the life and mission of Blessed Mary MacKillop in order to discover an uniquely Australian path to God. In this experiment participants were immersed in Mary's story, they walked the same sacred ground she once did and carried out ministries in her spirit of hospitality and love which included journeying with the aged at Mary MacKillop Aged Care, visiting with newly arrived migrant families with MacKillop Family Services and performing a play of their own design. In hearing her narrative and participating in her works participants were called upon to respond creatively to her spiritual journey and in so doing bring light to their own search for something more.

For more information on how this program went visit: http://magisvic8.blogspot.com/

At the Centre of Light

2008-06-10T21:13:00.006+10:00

At the Centre of Light, a play about Mary MacKillop
by R. Johns.

Mary MacKillop Melbourne is proud to announce that, ‘At the Centre of Light,’ a play loving devoted to telling the story of Australia’s first saint is back this year! Last year it ran for only a short season, so if you missed out you’re in luck, it’s on again in Melbourne and in perfect time for Days in the Diocese.

The play tells Mary’s story from her perspective, from a difficult childhood to exclusion from her own religion, the audience is taken through the highs and lows of her life.

At the Centre of Light takes you on a journey to “19th century Australia, which is being mapped, explored and carved up for minerals and land grabs, Mary MacKillop sets out on a journey to discover another landscape made up of beliefs and dreams. She takes her vision of a new order of nuns to Rome. Her original and authentic voice challenges a colonial society dominated by men and asks, what is this land to which we all belong.”

The play is presented by La Mama at the Carlton Courthouse, from June 25 – July 12, which falls wonderfully within the Days in the Diocese week.

Performances:
Wednesdays and Sundays at 6.30pm
Thursdays to Saturdays at 8.00pm.

General Bookings: 9347 6142
For school and group bookings: Please contact Maureen at La Mama on weekdays, Ph: 9347 6948.

A reflection on the World Youth Day Cross.

2008-05-29T20:16:00.008+10:00

The World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Message Stick came to the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre on May 2.

Mary MacKillop showed us that the Cross-need not be a burden in life but a blessing, that by embracing life’s difficulties we can become united with God and with each other. So often the Cross-is talked about as an image of death and oppression and while it is those things it is so much more, it is the symbol of absolute love. The cross as a lone symbol means nothing, for it is what happens after we carry our Cross-that makes us who we are as follows of Christ. Like Jesus before her Mary MacKillop rose from the darkest hours of her life: from within the darkness of her crosses she found the love and light of God. And it is through the example of Mary MacKillop that we can find the courage to persevere through our dark moments, we can learn from her that we do not need to endure our challenges alone; when denied the presence of her Lord by Bishop Sheil; the Jesuits gave Mary MacKillop Mass. And what’s where World Youth Day comes into the picture for us.
It offers us the opportunity to be part of a community of people of the same generation, who face the same problems, who encounter the same challenges and that feeling of connection cannot be beaten. Until I joined Magis, one of many World Youth Day groups, I always felt a little at odds with my communities, in Church life I encountered a generation gap, in social life the gap was in religion; so there I was, always with this real sense of longing. That’s not to say those communities aren’t richly rewarding and aren’t apart of me all the same, but there was a space left within in me for something more. Since joining Magis that space has become smaller and smaller as I encounter more people like me, people of my own age who I can talk to about Jesus and Mary MacKillop in a shared language and shared culture. And it is in that way that the Cross-has become the Tree of Life for me, out of my challenges World Youth Day is taking root inside my faith journey and helping me branch out in new directions and so I encourage all of you to embrace your Crosses and allow Mary MacKillop to guide you on your path to World Youth Day.

For more information on the Journey of the Cross, Icon and Message Stick visit the World Youth Day Website. And keep up to date with visits the Cross makes to sacred Josephite spaces by reading the Mary MacKillop World Youth Day Newsletter.

Come and See the WYD Cross

2008-03-15T22:00:00.000+11:00

"The cross appears lighter when carried with Jesus."
- Mary MacKillop.

The World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Message Stick are coming to the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre on Friday 2 May between 2:30pm and 4:30pm for a time of prayer, reflection and celebration.

During this time you will have the opportunity to visit the inspirational museum which includes artifacts and anecdotes from Mary’s life and a focus on her devotion to the Cross of Jesus and which is made sacred by its proximity to Mary’s birthplace and her presence here over a hundred years ago.

This will be a wonderful occasion for you to experience the World Youth Day Cross and Message Stick and to spend time in the beautiful place that is, the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre.

Light refreshments will be served, so for catering and logistical purposes please let us know if you would like to come by Friday 28 March.

All Welcome

Location: Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne.
Date: Friday 2 May
Time: 2:30-4:30pm
RSVP: Friday 28 March to Deirdre via email or phone 0433 730 266

Image: Mary's Divine Providence by Maree Azzopardi*

New statue of Mary MacKillop coming to Adelaide

2008-03-14T21:45:00.000+11:00

A new Mary MacKillop statue is currently being brought to life by artist Judith Rolevink, who is passionately dedicating the next five months to the project. The statue can currently be viewed as a model and shows Mary full of life, smiling and walking happily with children.

Judith Rolevink is charged with depicting a 26-year-old Mary holding hands with two children. On competition the life-size statue will be given pride of place in the forecourt of St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide.

Although the statue is currently far from complete, you can view a model of it in this Channel 7 interview. Highlighting once more the abiding connection between the Jesuits and Mary MacKillop is Auxiliary Bishop of Adelaide Greg O’Kelly SJ who is responsible for organising the commissioning and placement of the statute.

This is a beautiful tribute to our wonderful Saint, Mary MacKillop; to hear more about this why not watch the Channel 7 interview below:

Sources:
Articles:
Archdiocese of Adelaide

Video:
Channel 7 Interview

Come along to a MacYAC Gathering

2008-03-02T09:05:00.002+11:00

Come and celebrate World Day of Prayer 2008 with other young people!

The World Day of Prayer is celebrated in 170 countries around the world. This year the prayer has been prepared by the South American country of Guyana.

The prayer raises concerns which are faced by the people of this country.

The theme for this year is ... ‘God’s Wisdom Provides New Understanding.’

The MacKillop Young Adult Community (MacYAC) gathers on the First Friday of each month for Faithsharing, Prayer and Dinner.

It’s like a mini–retreat, providing the opportunity to shut out the daily noise and listen to the inner voice.

Where: Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert Street East Melbourne
When: Friday, 7th March, 2008: 6.30pm onwards
RSVP and for more information:
Email: MacYac
Phone: Rita Malavisi rsj 0419 299 065 or Mary Ryan rsj 0409 203 331

World Youth Day

2008-02-16T16:16:00.004+11:00

Are you interested in attending World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008?

Mary MacKillop Melbourne, the Josephite Young Adult Group, supports and recommends MAGiS 08, the Ignation World Youth Day Program.

MAGiS 08 offers young adults the opportunity to experience World Youth Day as a spiritual journey; to develop a sense of a belonging to a community engaged in a quest for an engagement with God and the world around them, and to be apart of something truly special.

This program runs from 5 July to 20 July 2008; offering a week of ‘Experiments,’ an Ignation Gathering in Sydney and the World Youth Day week of activities. The MAGiS 08 Experiments, which take place from 5 – 11 July, challenge people to engage radically with the life of Jesus creatively, through service and pilgrimage, and to challenge onself and emerge into the world of the experiment.

Walking the streets with Australia’s First Saint, is one such experiment taking place in Melbourne in which you are called to journey into the life and mission of Australia’s first Saint, Blessed Mary MacKillop and discover a uniquely Australian path to God. In this experiment you will be immersed in Mary’s story; you’ll walk the same sacred ground she once did and join in ministries carried out in her spirit of hospitality and love. Such ministries include sheltering the homeless and caring for disadvantaged children through MacKillop Family Services and caring for the aged. In hearing her narrative, and participating in her works you’ll be called upon to respond creatively to her spiritual journey and in so doing bring light into your own search for ‘something more.’

To find out more about MAGiS 08 visit their website http://www.magis08.org/

Christmas with Mary MacKillop

2007-12-21T23:51:00.000+11:00

“Our good God sees the heart."

Mary MacKillop

Gospel reading for this week’s reflection:
Luke 1:26-38

Commentary on God’s Call
Not many people think of their lives as being easy, and you’d be hard pressed to say that Mary MacKillop had it easy, yet compared with Mary of Nazareth our lives really are very easy. Their easy because we have someone to follow, we have a guide in life someone to turn to in times of need, someone to carry us when life gets us down, but Mary had no one.

Mary was asked to birth a new world order, she was asked to risk her relationship with Joseph, to risk becoming an outcast of society, to give up what little she had and all of this she did with only her faith in God to see her through. In accepting the call of God she became Shepherd to the World, she showed us how to live a life of a faith filled service and gave us the greatest Christmas present imaginable: our Lord.

Imagine what it must have been like for her, she had no guide to follow, no Gospel to turn to, no Saint to look to for an answer, she was asked to be the first light of the new dawn. She bore to life a radical way of living, a way so radical that even today people try to dull it down, try to shift focus from the Gospels to human institutions, from the spiritual to the festive. But Mary is our way back to what Christmas is about, to what our faith is about because it is with her that it started, she shows us what living for the common good truly entails and her example calls us to turn from individualism to societal concerns.

Mary MacKillop like the Mary before her had a new and difficult path to forge in Australia; she, like Mary, said ‘yes’ to God. She said yes to actively thinking and engaging with her environment, to seeing the problems of society around her and working at way of healing those problems, not stop-gap measures or meaningless aid. Her efforts to educate carry through to our generation when we see the children of her schools educated, productive members of society who give back through their lives what they received through the instruction of Mary’s sisters.

Mary said ‘yes’ to starting a new style of religious life, one that matched the dreams of the new nation, one not contained by location but spread out as far as the people settled. She faced so many challenges in her life: she was excommunicated for her unwillingness to yield the call of God in favour of the call of a Bishop. But at each turn she found not loneliness and despair but the love of God, the same love that inspired Mary of Nazareth to heed her call and throw caution to the wind. When denied a bed for the night in a local convent Mary MacKillop was offered shelter at a local hotel, hardly a place for a model nun but the perfect place for a disciple of Jesus. Denied the presence of her Lord by Bishop Sheil; the Jesuits gave Mary MacKillop Mass and to this day honour her place among them and continue to show her and her followers the light and love of God.

Mary MacKillop’s life, like Mary of Nazareth before her show us that while a life of service is marked with pitfalls and exclusion it is filled by the love of God and brings so much love to those brave enough to share in it.

Questions to Ponder
Picture yourself in the reading, where are you? Inside the room, speaking with Gabriel, beside Mary or watching from afar? What does your place in the story say about you?

What do you think of Mary’s acceptance of God’s call? What does her acceptance say about Mary MacKillop’s following of God?

How does the story speak to you about your own following of God in life?

Shepherd to the World
“Let it happen to me as you have said.”
With these words the world was born
Her strength of courage larger than the ‘verse itself
She had no guide to follow; no shepherd to tend her.

Alone, terrified, disturbed by what faced her
She did not baulk from her God
She did not shirk her duty
Mary stepped up to the challenge of birthing the new world order.

Jesus was not there to lead her
There were no disciples spreading the Good News
Mary had no Cup to drink from, no water to walk over
Alone, terrified, disturbed, she faced her faith.

She had no guide to follow; in acceptance she became Shepherd
Dawning the way forward to new life with courage unmatched by any disciple
Through the simplest of words she gave new life to us all:
“Let it happen to me as you have said.”

Image: “Mary MacKillop” by Sr Mary Brady OP+

Christmas with Mary MacKillop

2007-12-09T22:20:00.000+11:00

You're invited to 'Celebrate Christmas with Mary MacKillop’ on Friday 21 December from 6:30pm onwards at the newly opened Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in East Melbourne.

We’ll be experiencing the Christmas story from a new perspective; the evening will focus on the importance of the miracle of Jesus’ birth in Mary MacKillop’s life and what that means to you and of course includes a lovely dinner.

The Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre is really easy to get to as it’s about a 7 minute walk from Parliament Station or there’s street parking around it.

Basic Details:
Where: Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne.
When: Friday 21 December; 6:30pm onwards.
RSVP: Friday 14 December 2007.
Contact: Deirdre Crocker on deirdre_crocker@hotmail.com or 0433 730 266

Living as the birds do

2007-11-18T14:30:00.000+11:00

“Trust in God, who helps you in all things.” – Mary MacKillop

Bible readings for this week’s reflection:
Psalm 46: “God is with us”
Matthew 6:25-34: “Trust in Providence”

Commentary on Providence:
This week’s Gospel passage is challenging in that it asks us to look beyond the here and now while simultaneously telling us not to worry about tomorrow. Jesus questions our fears and worries; he calls us to stop worrying about material things, to stop worrying about life’s if’s and maybe’s and instead concentrate on God.

So what does this mean for us?

This could be seen as permission to not worry about this world and other people; justify tossing aside the needs of others by saying God will provide. But the ideas behind it are deeper than that, Jesus is calling us to set our hearts on God’s justice, not our own.

To trust in God, to believe that God will provide is not a way of getting out of one’s baptismal call but rather a command to forgo your own material concerns, to believe that if you put God’s plans first than all else will fall into place.

Many a time in the establishment of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary MacKillop and her sisters went without meals, clothes and even essential teaching equipment in their efforts to educate the poor, all of which they did with the fervent belief that God would provide for their needs if they cared for the needs of others. And through donations of goods and clothing from their supporters God did provide for the sisters.

We are called by Jesus to leave behind self-centered worries and instead set our hearts on God’s work. To become as it were, the hands of God in the world, to lift up those in need rather than worry about our own cares; in the words of Mary MacKillop we are asked to “trust in God alone.”

Mary MacKillop exemplified this trust in Providence when her own Mother, Flora died in a shipwreck off Green Point near Eden in 1886. Many people when confronted with the death of a loved one understandably draw into themselves, seclude themselves from the world and look for someone to blame, but not Mary. She put aside her own cares, her own fears of how she would cope tomorrow and every day after without her Mother. She put her faith in God and God’s love and turned a tragic event in her life into a benefit for the Australian people by establishing a school in Eden. Rather than withdrawing from where her Mother died, or withdrawing herself from her work she continued to not worry about her world or what tomorrow may bring but instead carry out the work of God.

It’s a big ask to disregard your own fears and put God’s plans ahead of your own, and it can be difficult to see how you can do this right now in your life. But we are called to follow Jesus in our every day lives and it is in the every day that we find the ways to do this; if you are studying you can choose to write an essay that highlights a neglected justice issue, or argue a case from a standpoint of faith rather politics. In your work you can question practices that perpetuate disadvantaging others; in your group of friends you can speak out when hurtful generalizations are made rather than remaining silent. Or you could smile with genuineness and love when you pass someone on the street rather than averting your gaze or looking for a distraction.

We are a global community, no matter what may happen tomorrow, we are called to do what we can for each other today without regard for ourselves.

Questions to Ponder:
What does this post’s Psalm say to you? In what ways do you already, or could you, draw strength from God?

How does the Gospel passage speak to you? Reflect for a while on the way it touches you and think about what, if any, differences you find between the commentary above and your own reaction.

Are you comfortable with what Jesus is asking of you in the Gospel passage?

In what way can you stop worrying about tomorrow and act for today?

What does Mary’s reaction to her Mother’s death say to you?

Reflection: In death there is life

The tree is long since dead
All that remains is a stump
A reminder of the grand prince of the woods.

Inside the stump is not death but life
A colony of ants have made their home
A Queen reigns where the prince once stood.

That is the way of creation: what once was is now no more.
Instead new life exists and prospers
That is why we must not mourn for yesterday
But rejoice in today.

When we suffer and cry we must not dwell
For our tears bring new life
What once caused pain is now but a memory
The memory of Calvary breathes life into all.

Image: "Untitled" by Susan Howard*

Reflections Index

2007-11-18T13:49:00.000+11:00

"Like our Patron St Joseph may we ever seek to work for God."

-Mary MacKillop

Christmas with Mary MacKillop
21 November 2007

Luke 1:26-38

Living as the birds do
18 November 2007
Psalm 46: “God is with us”

Matthew 6:25-34: “Trust in Providence”

Walking on Water: Taking Stock with Jesus.
4 November 2007
Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd”
Mark 6: 45-51 “Jesus walks on water”

Martha and Mary: The MacKillop Story
21 October 2007
Psalm 27: “In God’s company there is no fear.”

Luke 10:38-42: “Martha and Mary.”

Honour our Earth with Julian Tenison Woods
15 October 2007

Reflection on the environment as part of Blog Action Day.

Blog Site Help

2007-11-18T12:59:00.000+11:00

Are you having trouble finding information on our blog, or trouble playing one of our videos? Then read on…

To search for anything on our blog simply use the “search blog” facility at the top of every page.

To play videos on this site you need to have the latest edition of Adobe Flash Player installed; it’s free and available by clicking here.

Mary MacKillop Calendar

2007-11-09T22:09:00.000+11:00

Do you recall reading about an upcoming event but can’t remember which post it was in?

Want a quick way of matching up Mary MacKillop Melbourne events with your diary?

Well here to solve your dairy issues is the Mary MacKillop Melbourne Calendar. This new feature of our blog can be permanently accessed from the MMK Melb Resources section on the sidebar to the left.

In the Calendar you will find a host of Josephite and Mary MacKillop related events, be it a spirituality day, a new play coming out, a fundraising night or a MMK Melb gathering. Along with a general description of the event will be contact information where you can find out more about the event of your choice.

So just click on the MMK Melb Calendar link, and navigate using the blue arrow keys at the top of the calendar to the month you want and check out what events are on by clicking on the blue text in the date field.

Also for those with a Google account you can click on ‘more details’ for a map and directions to where the event is being held and you can add the event to your own Google calendar. Those who don’t have a Google account can still get a map or directions to the event by going straight to Google Maps and typing in the location.

We hope this makes it a lot easier for you to find the perfect Mary MacKillop event to suit your life.

And speaking of upcoming events, to go along with the launch of our new calendar we would like to invite you to rest, relax and reflect with other young adults before the busyness of the Christmas season.

Rest, Relax and Reflect Day in the Hills
When: Sunday, November 25 10:00am- 4:30pm
Where: St Joseph’s Convent, Warburton
Contact: Mary Ryan rsj mary.ryan@sosj.org.au or
Janette Murphy rsj janette.murphy@sosj.org.au

Walking on Water: Taking Stock with Jesus.

2007-11-04T12:00:00.000+11:00

Bible readings for this week’s reflection:

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd”

Mark 6: 45-51 “Jesus walks on water”

Commentary on a popular miracle:

From South Park to the MTV Awards everywhere you go, whatever you do you’re bound to come across a retelling or a joke about this popular miracle; Jesus walking on water. It’s easy to dismiss this as a children’s story or make light of it ourselves but in so doing the spiritual depth of this story can be overlooked.

Pick up the Gospel of Mark, or Google it and have a quiet read; you may be surprised how it speaks to you.

Whether or not Jesus literally walked on water is inconsequential; the point of the story is not what happens externally but rather the focus is the internal transformation within Jesus and his disciples.

Imagine this happening to you: your best friend has just been executed for the very same line of work you’re in, you’ve spent the entire day working only to give away all your food and all you want is a bit of quiet time to yourself when you find out your friends are stuck in a storm and need your help. It dawns on you that no matter where you go or what you do someone wants something from you and you begin to think; is there anything left to give?

Well that’s exactly what Jesus was going through; John The Baptist had just been beheaded and after talking with a crowd of people for the day he gave away all the food he and his disciples had. He knew if he continued down the path he was on he would suffer the same fate as John the Baptist; he was heading out into a storm with nothing and he needed time to take stock of everything that was happening.

So what did Jesus do? He went into the hills to pray while his disciples headed off in a boat together. When he came back he saw his disciples stuck in a storm on the water and he reached out to them; he walked across to them through the storm and got into the boat with them, and as he did the storm dissipated.

He was, through prayer, transformed from a man tired and worn by the trials that faced him to one enveloped by courage ready to face what confronted him.

So just what are the storms of our lives? Storms are the challenges we face in our every day life; they could be an upcoming exam, tensions at home or a moral dilemma at work. Like the clouds in the story of Jesus, the storms in our lives are shades of grey; there usually isn’t a clear black and white answer to the problem. One choice may be as right or as wrong as the next, in the story of Jesus walking on water we are offered a way to steer through these storms. We can’t expect God to solve our problems, however nice that may seem, but we can, through prayer ask God to accompany us, to sit next to us in our boat as we sail across the storms in our lives, and ask God to give us the courage to see our way clear to the other side.

The disciples were scared when they first saw Jesus out on the water, because it is scary asking for Jesus’ help. But no matter how scary it is acknowledging to ourselves, and to God that we are facing something difficult is part of dealing with our problems and moving forward. Whatever you are facing now in your life bring this to God in prayer, ask for the courage to face head on what you are confronted with and to get through the storm in your life by following God’s path for you.

Jesus offers us this advice: ‘courage, it’s me, do be afraid.’ We may not know what to do about our struggles, but, if we choose to follow Jesus, we can, through prayer, receive the gift of courage to not be afraid and to face what lies ahead.

Mary MacKillop’s strong faith in God gave her the courage to face what life threw at her; confronted with the vicious lies of those set against her she never wavered in her mission to lift up God’s children. We know from her account of her excommunication that in spite of the words spoken to her that stormy day by Bishop Sheil she felt the love of God wash over her and she had the faith-filled courage to endure the wrongs against her.

The miracle of this story is not that someone walked on water; but that the someone calmed the storm. That through pray someone had the courage to face the difficult path that lay before him and that by facing his life he was able to see clearly what must be done. Through this story we are taught the power and importance of prayer, that while our problems won’t be solved for us, they will be easier to face with the love of God behind us.

Questions to Ponder:

Picture yourself in this story; where are you?

Are you by Jesus’ side on the store, in the boat with the disciples or watching from afar?

What does your place in the story say about you? What storms are you facing in your life at this moment?

Are you able to take these storms to God in prayer?

Are you comfortable calling out to God for help?

Reflection: Have courage; Jesus is with you.

You may be just one rock amongst many in the world, but you are one rock that is in God’s hand.

Image: Untitled by Mel Brigg*

Martha and Mary: The MacKillop Story

2007-10-21T16:42:00.000+10:00

Bible readings for this week’s reflection:
Psalm 27: “In God’s company there is no fear.”
Luke 10:38-42: “Martha and Mary.”

Commentary on Mary’s early years:
Have you had the opportunity to read about Mary MacKillop’s early years yet? If you have not then I highly recommend "The Black Dress" by Pamela Freeman, a fictionalised narrative from Mary’s childhood through to just before she started religious life. It weaves the reader in and out of Mary’s struggles and the way in which she is torn between her duty to her family and her calling from God.

Mary, for various reasons, became the main provider for her family, a duty that tied her to her family’s debts and struggles and prevented her from running away with Jesus.

Eventually she was able to find a way to help her family and answer God’s call. Julian Tenison Woods, among other things, suggested a living arrangement for her family that provided Mary with an avenue to take up her calling.

Whenever I reflect on the story of Mary’s early years my mind wanders upon the story of Mary and Martha from the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42.

Sisters, Mary and Martha welcome Jesus into their home when he comes to their village. Martha the more practical of the two goes about preparing a meal for Jesus and making their home comfortable for him, while Mary sits by his side and listens to him speak. In what must seem like an attempt by her sister to get out of doing any work Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her. No doubt she felt sure he would not let someone get out of their fair share of the work.

But to her surprise Jesus says that it is Mary and not Martha who has chosen the better duty to fulfil.

This isn’t a put down of Martha; rather it is an assertion that women as well as men can be thinkers and disciples and that pursuing the spiritual path is not ‘getting out of’ work but has great value of its own.

I always imagine Mary MacKillop being pulled by her commitment to her family, to being Martha in her family and in the community; while simultaneously being drawn in another direction entirely, to being herself, to being the Mary by Jesus’ side.

In life we all face decisions, big and small, that impact not just on ourselves but on those around us, in Mary MacKillop we have a guide to living whole, to staying true to our commitments and ourselves.

Mary became a religious sister but she never stopped being her mother’s daughter, we know from her letters how often she communicated with her mother and how honest and forthright those communications were. Through her we see that no matter what direction in life we take it is never an end to who we are; only a continuation of what was started at Baptism.

Questions to Ponder:
Picture yourself in the story of Martha and Mary: where are you?

Are you preparing the food, sitting by Jesus’ side or watching from a distance?

What does your place in the story say about you?

Where is Jesus in your life? Are you comfortable with this?

What do you think of Mary MacKillop’s struggle between the Martha and Mary parts of herself?

What does this say to you, where you are, in your life today?

Reflection: The Wise Women of our World.

Marys, the wise women of faith
They mark out the path to God
They show us how to make our lives a living prayer.

Mary answered the call of God
She overcame her fears
She gave birth to the new world.

Mary chose the better part of life
She sat by Jesus’ side
She taught us how to live.

Mary walked in the footsteps of humanity
She was excommunicated into the love of Jesus
She gave us a model of living whole.

Marys, the wise women of the world
They responded to God and taught us how to do the same
They are our compass on the path to Jesus.

Image: Mary's Divine Providence by Maree Azzopardi*

Mary MacKillop Foundation Fundraising Event

2007-10-19T23:11:00.000+10:00

A Mary MacKillop Foundation fundraising event is being held at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre located at 362 Albert Street East Melbourne on Friday 2 November from 7-10pm.

Theme: Experience the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and Visit the Mary MacKillop Museum

Tickets: $30.

Finger food and drinks provided with Fundraising activities to be held during the night.

All proceeds will assist the Mary MacKillop Foundation to fund many worthwhile projects.

RSVP by 26 October 2007 to: Sr. Jan Wadley 9926-9344 or Mary Fryer 9315-8811 / 0403 176 519

Image: Mary MacKillop Beatification Poster+

"At The Centre of Light"

2007-10-19T22:56:00.001+10:00

There's a new play about Mary MacKillop that's going to be shown right here in Melbourne!

“At The Centre of Light” is a play written by R. Johns about Mary MacKillop’s struggle to bring to life a new order of Nuns in colonial Australia.

It is being performed at La Mama Theatre in Carlton in early November.

For more information visit: La Mama Theatre's website or call the theatre on 03 9347 6142.

** Update June 2008: This play is back for a new season, check it out!

Honour our Earth with Julian Tenison Woods

2007-10-15T05:30:00.000+10:00

It’s October 15, which means it’s Blog Action Day! The one day of the year when bloggers around the globe write about one issue, to join together and promote a worthy cause across a multitude of communities. And this year is Environment Blog Action Day.

As part of this global event Mary MacKillop Melbourne is bringing you a reflection on Father Julian Tenison Woods, co-founder of the Josephites and importantly, for Blog Action Day; a naturalist, a past-day ecologist.

Julian Tenison Woods was interested in geology and natural science from a young age. After studying for the priesthood and being posted to Australia he was able to combine his love for their earth and all its wonders with his love for God’s children. A fated encounter with a young Mary MacKillop in Penola started a journey of discovery, adventure and service for them both. After helping form the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart his first love became his life’s work as he studied the many geological features of Australia and its neighboring countries. He brought to Australia an awareness and love for God’s natural wonders, an appreciation, which given today’s pressing environmental issues is a love worthy of adopting. Through his admiration for the earth we can see how important it is to value and respect that which we are lucky to inhabit.

In honour of Julian, and the natural world he served we dedicate Mary MacKillop Melbourne’s Blog Action Day to loving and respecting the playground we have been given.

Contemplation with Julian Tenison Woods.

“Every rock, every leaf, every insect has something beautiful, nay wonderful to tell … a perfect fairy-land of beauty will open to the gaze at every step. The flowers will unveil the hidden secrets of beauty: the stones reveal their crystalline structure, and the tiniest insects display wonders of mechanism … All new, all varied, all instructive, and all tending to raise the mind to higher and nobler conceptions of what creation does to declare the glory of its author.”

- Julian Tenison Woods, July 1880.

A time for reflection …

Julian’s awareness of the sacred at the heart of all creation says a great deal to us in our time.

He reminds us that:
* We have a responsibility to cherish the sacredness of all creation
* We do not merely live on Earth as if we had come to it from the outside. We are part of this planet, creations of Earth.
* We need to be nurturers and healers of creation, not destroyers of earth.
* We can find God in every aspect of life and creation
* We all need time and space if we are to find our God in creation

Personal pondering …

* What particular aspects of creation arouse in me a joy and delight in the work of our creating God?
* Where, today, was I touched by any aspect of God’s creation?
* What has been the extent of my ‘carbon imprint’ on earth today?
* How, today, have I been a nurturer or healer of creation?
* What is my biggest challenge as I strive to nourish and care for Earth?

Reflection inspired by "Symphony of Life: Julian Tenison Woods," adapted for Mary MacKillop Melbourne by Mary Ryan rsj.

Photograph of Father Julian Tenison Woods.+

You wink at God; He understands

2007-10-12T16:59:00.000+10:00

A God who understands, who sits with the poorest regardless of their religion is the God Sister Lynette Young RSJ knew as a child and is the God she chose to walk with when she joined the Josephites at 19.

In the first of a series of profiles of Josephites, Mary MacKillop Melbourne presents: Mary MacKillop Women: A Portrait of Lyn Young.

Donations

2007-10-11T16:08:00.001+10:00

We have recently had enquiries from people who would like to donate to our group.

Mary MacKillop Melbourne hopes to raise awareness, knowledge and love for Mary MacKillop amongst the wider community and is grateful for your interest in our group.

If you would like to make a donation please send a cheque or money order made out to: “Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre,” to the following address:

Mary MacKillop Melbourne
C/O The Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre
362 Albert Street
East Melbourne 3002
Victoria Australia

Please attach to the money order, either a copy of this post, or a note requesting that the money go towards the Mary MacKillop Melbourne group.

Please note that unfortunately at this stage donating to Mary MacKillop Melbourne is not a donation for tax purposes.

Thank you everyone for your warm and generous support of our group; whether through keeping up to date with our posts, attending our meetings or expressing an interest in donating, it’s wonderful to know how wide our community is becoming!

Josephite Associates

2007-10-11T15:37:00.000+10:00

Have you heard of the Josephite Associates? They’re people who join together as a group to share their love and passion for Mary MacKillop and the Josephites and who formalise this connection with one another.

You can find out more by visiting the Associate section of the Josephite Website; or by visiting the blog of the Queensland Josephite Association.

The Josephite Associates have put together a CD of songs that capture their love for God and Mary MacKillop, it can be purchased through an order form available from the Josephite Website. The proceeds from the CD go towards the Mary MacKillop Foundation.

Change is coming to Mary MacKillop Melbourne

2007-10-07T19:13:00.001+10:00

And the blog is about to get a whole lot different as we take a step down a new path; a path chosen by you…

We’ve had a lot of requests for our meeting content to go online, not just summaries but the entire meetings from evening prayer to reflected sharing and so in response to these requests we’ve decided to hold our next two months meetings online! That’s right, we’re going to bring our meetings to you: when you want them, where you want them.

We’re going to be exploring and learning more about Mary MacKillop and connecting with our faith on the blog.

Here’s an idea of what to expect in the next two months:
- Interviews with Josephites
- Commentary on the Gospels
- A series of posts on different ways of praying and relating to God.

If you want us to discuss something in particular, be it a Gospel passage you love, a period in Mary MacKillop’s life, an issue you’re interested in or something about daily life just send me an email.

And in December we’re hosting a Celebration of Christmas with Mary MacKillop on Friday 21 December from 6:30pm onwards at 362 Albert Street East Melbourne; there’ll be plenty of great food and drinks to go around and a great time to catch up.

Image: "Blessed Mary MacKillop" by Margaret Fredrickson*

Mary MacKillop: A Tribute

2007-09-04T17:19:00.000+10:00

“Mary MacKillop: A Tribute” edited by Andrew Wilson.

This book lovingly represents Mary MacKillop in various paintings that show as much about Australia as they do Mary MacKillop. Selected by judges from almost 200 entries into the Mary MacKillop Art Award this book was compiled in the year of Mary’s beatification and has a representation of Mary to suit any person in any time.

Aboriginal, Medieval, Chinese, post-modern, photography, Byzantine; the different artistic forms that depict Mary speak volumes of her connection with Australia and her people.

Included in the book is a timeline of Mary’s life and introductions from the then Congregational leader of the Josephites, Sr Mary Cresp RSJ; the then Prime Minister, Hon. Paul Keating, Ita Buttrose and others which highlight in written form what the paintings do visually; they speak of Mary’s impact on all who encounter her.

Each artwork is accompanied by a blurb from the artist explaining his or her motivation for their representation of Mary; these statements show how Mary has inspired the artists in unique ways, some speak of the challenges she endured while others her distinctly Australian spirit and others too her loving heart.

When I slowly looked through each of the pieces I found in them all a way to connect with Mary; be her Mother Mary, sister Mary or Saint Mary, each depiction shows her to be a woman daring to change the world. The beauty of this book is that it shows vividly how so many lives have been, and continue to be, touched by Mary.

This isn’t your usual coffee table book because once you have it you’ll never want to let it our of your sight; I highly recommend this book as the prefect way to always see Mary.

Check out Mary’s Books for information on where you can buy or borrow this and other Mary MacKillop books.

Image: "Mary MacKillop of Australia" by Jiawei Shen*

The Gift of Mary MacKillop

2007-09-04T17:14:00.000+10:00

Welcome to the first in a series of book reviews designed to encourage you to find out more about the wonderful woman that is Australia’s first Saint.

“The Gift of Mary MacKillop,” by Colleen O’Sullivan RSJ, with illustrations by Lyne Muir is a literary feast that truly befits its title, as it makes a wonderful gift for any admirer of Mary.

Colleen O’Sullivan RSJ captures Mary's life and brings a great love and warmth to her story. In this book something is achieved that the great biographers of Mary cannot in their chronological presentation of the history of Mary’s life, O’Sullivan’s warm prose together with Muir’s beautiful drawings bring us into Mary’s life; we experience her struggles and her triumphs alongside her.

For me, the way O'Sullivan highlights how out of crisis and trial Mary didn't just survive she and her sisters prospered, becoming larger and more engaged with the world than before, makes this book more than a story of Mary; it makes it a living prayer.

I would like to conclude my recommendation of this great book with a passage from it: 'wherever the Sisters of St Joseph go they remain true to Mary's goals by serving God's people and developing the kingdom of God here and now,’ (page 120) as pilgrims of Mary’s on the path to World Youth Day we are challenged by the Josephites to ‘embrace Mary MacKillop and engage the world’ in the spirit they themselves follow.

Check out Mary's Books for information on where you can buy or borrow this book.

"Mary MacKillop Poster" by Sr Mary Brady OP+

Mary's Books

2007-09-04T15:53:00.000+10:00

Do you want to learn more about Mary MacKillop? Or, perhaps you want to see more of her, but are not sure where to start.

As much as we love Google it can only take us so far, the Internet doesn’t have all the information we want, at least not yet, it certainly doesn’t have all the pictures we want, and sometimes there is just no replacement for sitting back with a good book about a great woman.

Mary MacKillop Melbourne highly recommends:
“Gift of Mary MacKillop” by Colleen O'Sullivan RSJ

“Mary MacKillop: A Tribute” edited by Andrew Wilson."

“Seasons of Grace: Praying with Mary MacKillop” by Genevieve Ryan RSJ

“The Black Dress” by Pamela Freeman

“Mary MacKillop Unveiled” by Lesley O'Brien

And we all know good recommendations are nothing without information about where to get our hands on them:

Where to Buy:
Online:

Mary MacKillop Place Shop

Honeysett Press

Pauline Books and Media

Central Catholic Bookshop

In Person in Melbourne:

The Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, located at 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, which is just a short walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Pauline Books and Media located at 7 Denmark Hill Road, East Hawthorn, Victoria.

Central Catholic Bookshop located alongside St Francis’ Church at 322 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Where to Borrow:

The State Library of Victoria has a massive range of Mary MacKillop books; about her, her spirituality, her projects and her sisters.

The University of Melbourne Library has a great collection of Mary MacKillop books for those currently studying or working at the University.

Local council and parish libraries are also a great place to look.

Image: Book cover from "Mary MacKillop: A Tribute."*

Journey into Mary MacKillop's childhood to unveil the girl behind the habit.

2007-08-31T20:34:00.000+10:00

Have you ever wondered how a poor girl from a migrant family grew up to become a leading Australian figure of her time?

You’re welcome at our next meeting to hear about how a young Mary overcame the challenges of the harsh colonial world she lived in to make her life a living prayer through her dedication to helping lift up the poor who were very much neglected in the Australian colonies of the 19th century.

On Friday September 21 Sister Lynette Young RSJ is coming to give us a talk about Mary MacKillop's early years where you will hear Mary come to life and share in her difficulties and her triumphs.

The evening starts around 6:30pm and will conclude around 9:00pm.

Mary MacKillop Melbourne's home is the ‘Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre’ located at 362 Albert Street East Melbourne, which is opposite the Fitzroy Gardens on the corner of Albert Street and Providence Lane.

Please let me know you’re coming by Friday 14 September so we make sure there’s enough food for everyone, just give me a call or text on 0433 730 266 or email at deirdre_crocker@hotmail.com.

Come along to hear about the Joey in Josephites…

Image: “Mary MacKillop” by Sr Mary Brady OP+

Meeting 2: For the love of God

2007-08-18T18:21:00.000+10:00

“Whatsoever you do to the least of my people; that you do unto me.”

(Matthew 25:40)

The second gathering of our group was an opportunity to delve deeper into the woman that is Mary MacKillop, we learnt more about the challenges she faced in her time and how they relate to today; we continued to get to know one another and our journeys in life.

Our evening began with a delicious meal loving made by Sharon with help from Mary and Laura; we had lasagne, salad, crunchy garlic bread and talked about our childhoods and the differences of living in the country to that of being city dwellers.

We followed the meal with a viewing of Mike Willesee’s Australians: Mary MacKillop a 1987 hour long television special that fictionalises the story of Mary MacKillop.

The show starts with Mary already a young woman with a clear idea of what she wants to do with her life; primarily educate the poor and start a women’s religious order. It depicts her starting a school in Adelaide and highlights the key people in her life during this period and includes a portrayal of her horrific excommunication.

Although the show takes a creative licence to Mary’s life changing details around what she did and where she did it, it really does not matter. The show does something far more important than detail the historical timeline of Mary’s life; it captures her essence. There before us is portrayed a woman of unbridled passion, generosity and honour; we are shown a woman who opened her heart fully to the Gospels and lived a God-filled life for the people of Australia. And since that is who Mary MacKillop is the show succeeds fully in the mission of promoting the work of this wonderful woman; our Saint and our model for living.

After the show we talked about Mary and World Youth Day and in the spirit of the August Edition of the World Youth Day Newsletter we reflected on the Gospel passage: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.” (Matt 25:40).

The Gospels show us that Jesus welcomed everyone no matter their position in life, and importantly for that time and ours today, He welcomed everyone regardless of their gender. Time and again we are shown in the Gospels the importance of women: Mary brings Jesus into the world, while another Mary is praised for the choice she makes to sit by His side and listen to Him speak; and it is a woman who hears of the ‘living water’ offered by Jesus and goes forth to spread the Good News of His message. And so it is with this in mind that one can see that whatever is done the poorest of people, be they sister or brother is done to Jesus. Like Mary MacKillop it is our mission in life to see Jesus in all we encounter and treat them with the loving honour and dignity they so rightfully deserve.

While at times it can be hard to understand Mary’s patient generosity with the Bishops who worked against her Rule and separated her sisters, we see in this particular Gospel passage an avenue to understanding how she managed to always embrace what life and people threw her way. She treated the Bishops as she did the poor, with an open heart to God.

We are challenged to live like Mary and treat all those we come across as we would Jesus.

It is with a greater understanding and passion for Mary that we await our next meeting, and our next step on the journey to World Youth Day 2008.

Pull up a chair at our next gathering to hear about Mary MacKillop's Early Years.

2007-08-09T07:20:00.000+10:00

"God's presence seems to follow me everyone and makes everything I do or wish to do a prayer."

Mary MacKillop

Come along to the next meeting on Friday, August 17 2007 where we will view a video about Mary's life and watch as she comes to life before our eyes as we journey with her through her struggles and her triumphs.

The evening starts between 6:00-6:30pm and will conclude around 9:00pm it includes a delicious meal prepared by the Josephites.

Mary MacKillop Melbourne's home is 36 Essex Street, Footscray.

If you're going to come, please call give me a call, or text me on 0433 730 266 or send me an email at deirdre_crocker@hotmail.com we want to make sure there is enough food for everyone.

All are welcome; come as you are to learn about the wonderful woman that is, Australia's First Saint.

Happy Mary MacKillop Feast Day!

2007-08-07T23:02:00.000+10:00

"May God bless you all. With all the love in my heart I pray that God may do this." Mary MacKillop.

August 8 marks the feast day of Australia’s First Saint Mary MacKillop.

For more information and prayers on Mary MacKillop’s feast day please refer to the Josephite Website.

If you’re in the city of Melbourne on August 8 then you may like to participate in the services organized by the University of Melbourne Chaplaincy of which they have stated all are invited to attend. The celebrations start at 2pm and end at 3:30pm; they include a walk to Mary’s birthplace and a Mass, they have said you are invited to join in at any stage along the way, for more information please see their website.

Also, the 5:30pm Mass at St Francis Church is a special celebration for Mary MacKillop Family Services.

May you find joy in this day when you reflect on your own encounters with Mary MacKillop.

Meeting 1: Longing.

2007-07-20T23:30:00.002+10:00

“May the spirit of unity and love reign amongst us.”

Mary MacKillop

Tonight we welcomed the first members to our group; we ate an absolutely delicious meal thanks to Sharon and Mary, we prayed together and we shared our stories.

We discussed the purpose of our group, which, hopes to provide a means to explore your own spiritual path in life from a particular perspective one that encompasses Mary MacKillop, her life and her sisters today.

Tonight’s meeting started with some fabulous pumpkin and lemon soup followed by a scrumptious stir-fry, and then we had evening prayer based around a book called ‘Seasons of Grace: Praying with Mary MacKillop’ by Genevieve Ryan who is a Josephite.

Tonight’s ‘prayer season’ was the Season of Longing because it describes where we are now, in our lives and tonight, longing for something: for participation in World Youth Day; for a connection with Mary MacKillop; and for a sense of belonging in our own spirituality. Longing for an anticipated event or decision is a fundamental part of our lives. We are now part of a group in part because we are longing to know more about Mary MacKillop.

Don’t forget next month’s meeting is on Friday, August 17 2007, starting at 6.00pm at 36 Essex Street, Footscray where we will watch a movie about Mary's life.

Image: Mary MacKillop World Youth Day Logo+

Come explore your spirituality at Mary’s table.

2007-06-15T22:48:00.001+10:00

You are invited to join with other young adults in a night of Josephite hospitality where you will share in celebrating evening prayer, dinner with new friends, and a talk about Mary MacKillop’s early life. There will be lots of time for sharing your own thoughts about your encounter with religion, Mary MacKillop, and everything in between.

Friday July 20 marks the first of ten monthly get-togethers in the lead up to Worth Youth Day 2008 in Sydney; each month we will gather on the third Friday of the month to share a meal and learn about Mary MacKillop and her sisters. We will meet at different Josephite locations throughout Melbourne, from the Heritage Centre in East Melbourne to their homes in the suburbs to get to know Mary MacKillop through their eyes.

So, come along on Friday 20 July at 6pm to 36 Essex Street, Footscray, Victoria.

RSVP for catering purposes by Friday 13 July 2007 to me:

Deirdre Crocker at deirdre_crocker@hotmail.com or 0433 730 266

Please contact me for more information about the evening; and for directions on how to get there: it is a great location as it is easily accessible by public transport.