THE P RTAL
March 2015
Australia Pages - page 9
Following in the way
of Mary Mackillop
S
t Mary
of the Cross MacKillop was born at Fitzroy, an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, on
15th January 1842 and died 8th August 1909 in Sydney. She founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred
Heart, commonly called: “The Josephites”, who established schools and charitable institutions throughout
Australia for the welfare and education of the poor.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
was canonised a saint of the Catholic
Church on 17th October 2010 in a
ceremony at St Peter’s Square in the
Vatican as Australia’s first Australian
Saint of the Catholic Church.
Golden Jubilee
Twenty-nine Sisters of St Joseph
stayed at Mary MacKillop Place in
North Sydney earlier to celebrate
their Golden Jubilee. The celebration,
from January 2nd – 8th, was an
opportunity to deepen and renew
existing friendships, and to further
share with Sisters from the recently
“fused together” Congregations of the
Sisters of St Joseph.
Mass at Mary MacKillop Memorial
Chapel were a time for the sisters to
remember, reflect, reconnect and
celebrate.
Father Kevin Dance CP, whose
Tasmania-based sister Jillian was
one of the Golden Jubiliarians, was
principal celebrant at the Golden
Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass, which
was concelebrated by Bishop Terence
Brady and Bishop David Cremin.
The Mass was attended by family
and friends as well as those who had
been novices at the same time as those
celebrating their jubilee, but who were
no longer religious sisters and had joined the laity.
Sister Elizabeth, aged 101
and 80 tears a Josephite Sister
“For the sisters, there is a particularly strong bond
among those who did their initial formation together
Born in Uralla in the Northern Tablelands of NSW and, whether they stayed or not, that unique bond
on 29th May 1911, just two years after the death of remains,” said Sr Annette Arnold RSJ. In addition to
Mary MacKillop, Sr Elizabeth joined the Sisters of a high tea and Oak and Platinum commemoration at
St Joseph on 2nd February, 1930 when she entered Mary MacKillop Place, on Saturday, 12th January 23
the Josephite Convent at Glen Innes. She professed Sisters of St Joseph, from almost every state, were in
her vows three years later and then began teaching Sydney to mark their Diamond Jubilee.
at NSW primary schools. For half a century she
“We have 30 sisters celebrating their Diamond Jubilee
inspired her young charges at schools in Kiama,
Hillston, Barringbar, Naremburn, Leichardt, Quirindi, this year but only 23 will be here at Mary MacKillop
Smithfield, Tenterfield, Annandale, Lithgow and many Place with the others sadly not able to attend,” Sr
Annette said. The high point of the week was of course
others.
the Golden Jubilee Mass on January 6, celebrated in the
Celebrations around the world
chapel where St Mary MacKillop is now buried. This
For the Sisters of St Joseph, the first two weeks of was followed by luncheon with family and friends.
January were spent celebrating important milestones.
On 5th January, 32 sisters from across Australia and
The Jubilee blessing was led by Sr Monica Cavanagh
from the Josephite communities of Ireland, New RSJ, Congregational Leader: ‘This is my blessing for
Zealand and Peru celebrated their Golden Jubilee, each dear sister on her Jubilee Day. May God bless
marking 50 years since they professed their vows. you, my dear Sisters, and keep you in God’s love. May
Acclaimed educator, Sr Judith Sippel RSJ was a former God keep the spirit of charity among you.’
pupil of Sr Elizabeth Shanahan.
(Mary MacKillop 1894)
The days leading up to the Jubilee Thanksgiving
contents page
Article based on news items
from the Sisters of St Joseph