#marymackillop

[carmelitesaet]

On 17 October 2010, Mary MacKillop became Australia's first canonised saint! In 1866, together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart and opened a school to provide free education for the children of Penola, South Australia. From this small beginning, Mary went on to establish Catholic schools and places of refuge for the working class and poor across Australia and New Zealand. Mary wanted to serve Jesus in the poor. Whoever they were, whatever their needs, it was the poor who called her into service. Mary was moved by the lack of education, medical care and social services amongst the poor she saw around her. She worked tirelessly to make a difference, to uphold the dignity of the most marginalised, dejected and deprived. "Remember who your teachers were from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus". For many years countless young people throughout Australia have been blessed with teachers who were inspired by the courageous and saintly example of zeal, perseverance and prayer of Mother Mary MacKillop. She dedicated herself as a young woman to the education of the poor in the difficult and demanding terrain of rural Australia, inspiring other women to join her in the first women's community of religious sisters of that country. She attended to the needs of each young person entrusted to her, without regard for station or wealth, providing both intellectual and spiritual formation. Despite many challenges, her prayers to St Joseph and her unflagging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom she dedicated her new congregation, gave this holy woman the graces needed to remain faithful to God and to the Church. Through her intercession, may her followers today continue to serve God and the Church with faith and humility! #PopeBenedictXVI #saint #marymackillop #stmarymackillop #carmelite #carmelites #prayer #faith #spirituality #catholic #christianity #inspirationalquotes #jesus #christ #lectiodivina #kingdomofgod #peace #hope #love #courage #witness #sister #religiouslife #vocation #education #mission #community #australia #timorleste https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj0DghAv-BR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[giletmarco]

Saint Mary Of the Cross (Mary MacKillop). Remember, we are but pilgrims here. #saintmaryofthecross #marymackillop #saintmarymackillop #sydney #nsw #newsouthwales #australia #iphone #iphonephotography #iphoneonly #aleapoffaith #pilgrim #songofthemoment 🎼 Gato Barbieri 🎶 Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) https://www.instagram.com/p/B167mw2nUt0/?igshid=1meq91ee1hy4l

[doing-the-miles]

September 28th Day 12

Dear one and all, Day 12, our last walking day.

With Mary on our side and the choice of a good road to walk, we steered clear of any brown snake that may have ventured out into the cold and occasional short downpour.

We opted for the Kalangadoo - Old Penola Road to walk the last 14 kms into Penola. A quieter walk, just the occasional car or ute until we came to the Mount Burr Road, perhaps the original highway leading from Mt Gambier before they built the bypass. Lots of wide one spaces of grazing land, an occasional suggestion of a crop, a few farm houses and some traffic, but not enough to cause us any concern or worry about being safe.

So on we walked alternating between showers and sunshine as we made our way closer and closer to our final destination - Penola, the place where Mary began her work. Arriving by 11.00, we felt it was fitting that we should treat ourselves to one of the many varieties of specialty pies at the bakery. Phil had alr day tested 3 of them over the last 3 days, suffice to say they got the tick of approval.

Then on to the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre to get our final stamp! The lovely lady at reception was a bit thrown, “I didn’t think we were expecting you just yet?” They were expecting us? No, not us, it was Luke and his group who are currently following in our footsteps and not arriving for a couple of days.

So we explained who we were, not with Luke but doing it on our own. She kindly rang somewhere to get Sr Loretta to come over and assist with the stamps while we looked around the centre, which we got into for a discount price because we were pilgrims even if we weren’t with Luke!

If you’re ever up this way, it is a very interesting centre, lots of easy to read information about Mary and Julian Woods, and a great display about the canonisation. Of course the gift shop was a must, a raffle ticket for a quilt and then Sr Loretta arrived.

We politely suggested Luke shouldn’t have the monopoly on the walk as we had heard there were many others who were not associated with a religious group who also followed the route. She indicated they would be happier distancing themselves from Luke as a couple of years ago someone doing it had to be airlifted out, nearly died. It was in fact 2 Josephites, older ladies, although fit, fell into difficulties. She agreed some aspects of the walk were not the best, especially the brown snakes during summer. Time will tell if Luke retains his grasp on this walk, although he has trade marked the name “Aussie Camino”.

With our goal achieved, time to find our motel, shower and get warm and dry feet, before heading off into town to explore the other delights of Penola, like the Old Lolly Shop, just to mention one special feature of this town!

Would I walk this walk again, I don’t think so. It certainly is much harder than the Camino in Spain. I think not having anywhere to stop every so many kms makes it harder. And that also means no public conveniences as well. Bush toilets are ok when there is plenty of bush (and no snakes), but when you’re walking along the highway, not great. But in saying that, it was good, we had fun, we enjoyed our 14 bottles of wine in 12 nights that helped us have a good night’s rest each night ready for another day of walking. And now in Penola we naturally had to visit a couple of wineries just to try and buy the local produce! Great reward for a great achievement we said.

So, just so you are aware of how we went, Mary’s stats are: 403,424 steps, 277.8 kilometres in 12 days. Same distance in the car would take 1 hour 50 minutes! Or maybe a little longer, but certainly much less than 12 days!

[mbprice98]

October 17 is the anniversary of the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Australia's first saint. Mary MacKillop Prayer Ever generous God, You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop We ask that you grant our request………………. We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness. Ever generous God hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen. #saint #marymackillop #stmarymackillop #art #beauty #painting #veronikadimac #catholic #christianity #mission #prayer #inspirationalquotes #education #gospel #religious #religiouslife #vocation #sister #community #love #joy #childofgod https://www.instagram.com/p/BpCCitQgG_r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p1rhmmjmsx04

[respectlifeperth-blog]

Happy Solemnity of Saint Mary MacKillop! Half of the RLO has been in Sydney the last few days for meetings, but we're all back to normal from today. This photo, taken today at the Solemnity mass in St. Mary MacKillop's chapel in Sydney at the conclusion of our time there. St. Mary MacKillop, with your wisdom and strength, pray for us! ✨ #stmarymackillop #marymackillopplace #marymackillop #catholic #saint #saintquote #qotd #quote #faith #christian #sydney #catholicworker #believe #life #listen #holyspirit #jesus #christianquote #catholicquote (at Mary MacKillop Chapel)

[malodorous-euphoria]

St Patrick's Catholic Church, Arrowtown, was built on a hill in 1897 with help from St Mary Mackillop. #church #catholic #catholicchurch #bw #blackandwhite #marymackillop #stpatricks #blackwhite #arrowtown #architecture #old

[editfulla]

A great museum about Australia's saint Mary MacKillop #marymackillop #saint #selfie (at St Mary Mackillop Place Museum)

[xt3dotcom]

Mary of the Cross MacKillop pray for us #FeastDay #AustralianSaint #ACYF17 #MaryMacKillop #Pilgrimage http://ow.ly/7MIa30e1XM1

[caveclan]

#stmarymackillop #marymackillop via Instagram http://bit.ly/2GvymbI

[mactagon]

Removing bad memories #school #class #classess #student #students #teacher #teachers #instagood #classmates #classmate #peer #work #homework #bored #books #book #photooftheday #textbook #textbooks #messingaround #stmarymackillop #mackillop #marymackillop #catholic #catholicschool #catholicmemes #catholics #catholicschool (at MacKillop Catholic College, Canberra) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYpUGrFs6_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o2qphe50ovs8

[babaalexander]

August 8: Today's Specialities: International Cat Day Ceasefire Day (Iraqi Kurdistan) Christian Feast Day: Altmann of Passau Cyriacus Dominic de Guzmán, founder of the Dominican Order. Four Crowned Martyrs Pope Hormisdas Largus Mary MacKillop Smaragdus (and companions) August 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) Earliest day on which Children's Day (Argentina) can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Sunday in August. Earliest day on which Defence Forces Day can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Tuesday in August. (Zimbabwe) Earliest day on which Father's Day can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Sunday in August. (Brazil, Samoa) Earliest day on which Heroes' Day (Zimbabwe) can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Monday in August. Earliest day on which Melon Day can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Sunday in August. (Turkmenistan) Earliest day on which Sports Day (Russia) can fall, while August 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Saturday in August. Father's Day or Bā bā Day (爸爸節), Bā Bā is Mandarin for "father" and "8-8", or August 8. (Mongolia, Taiwan) Happiness Happens Day (International observance) International Cat Day Namesday of the Queen (Sweden) Nane Nane Day (Tanzania) Signal Troops Day (Ukraine) Vore Day, based on a pun between 8/8 and "Ate"/"Ate" #CeasefireDay #IraqiKurdistan #AltmannofPassau #Cyriacus #DominicdeGuzmán #DominicanOrder #FourCrownedMartyrs #PopeHormisdas #Largus #MaryMacKillop #Smaragdus #companions #FathersDay #BābāDay #爸爸節 #BāBā #Mongolia #Taiwan #HappinessHappensDay #InternationalCatDay #NamesdayoftheQueen #Sweden #NaneNaneDay #Tanzania #SignalTroopsDay #Ukraine #VoreDay #CatDay #WorldCatDay #AmazingCats

[doing-the-miles]

Dismal Swamp

Hello one and all, Day 11 September 27 and the adventure goes on.

Another early start as we had to drive back to Dismal Swamp Road. An interesting name. Considering all around the farm land is swampy sections, I can imagine someone being in the area on a cold, frosty, foggy morning looking out and thinking it was a dismal sight. As for us, it looked fine and from what we observed of the cattle and sheep, they seemed pretty content too let alone the bird life in the region!

We set off at a cracking pace along the limestone road, Lagoon Road, passed by an occasional farmer, a wave of the hand acknowledging our presence. Sometimes we walked in silence, sometimes chatting about all sorts of things. We noticed in this region there were very large gum trees, not like the others we had seen earlier on the walk. The trunks were thick, holding up equally thick branches, the bark a mixture of white and grey, often black holes where branches had obviously broken off. Along the way we were escorted by little black and white wrens, another omen?

Before we knew it, and before we had anticipated, we were walking into Kalangadoo. Lovely name. At the service station / post office, we were able to get another stamp. Not the official stamp of the Aussie Camino, but a stamp recognising we were in Kalangadoo. Good enough if Luke won’t share his stamps. A little further on and I read that we were in Red Gum territory. That explained what we had been admiring.

Naturally we had to stop at the General store for a coffee. The very chatty owner gave us the ins and outs of Kalangadoo, a population of about 300, why she wouldn’t vote for a particular person running for council elections, and happy to boast about the junior girls netball teams which have been winners 23 out of the 25 grand finals. She also told us that this walk has become very popular and not only with religious groups. There was a group who were doing the walk as a fundraiser for leukaemia. She also said there was one group which had ended up splitting into two, one group leaving Mt Gambier at 6.00am and the second at 9.00am. They were walking in summer. The first group got in early, the second group came in late in the afternoon exhausted. We’re with the first group, leave early and avoid the heat of the day, not that it’s been all that hot for us, but an early start is much better. At this stage we’d done 14kms, only another 12 to go so that we don’t have such a long walk into Penola tomorrow.

For the next couple of kms we were still walking along the road and then the move to the railway line. Now this was supposed to be a highlight. Not sure who started this rumour, but highlight tit was not. Unlike most of our disused train lines in Victoria, or at least the ones I’ve been on, this one had not been fixed up for public use. The rails were still in place, that was ok, but in between the sleepers were the rocks. It made walking very difficult as we tried to not trip or twist an ankle. But we soldiered on using the occasional tuft of grass to step on and cushion the foot.

Oops, not a good option when Mary, walking in front of me, walked past a coiled thing, it moved and I jumped - a brown snake! Let’s get cracking. Hearts thumping, really spooked, our pace quickened substantially, avoiding the grassy bits from there and trying to keep a watchful eye out for rocks and snakes! If there had been an alternate route we would have taken it, but this was the section, once on, no off until the next main road, still another 6kms away!

Just when we thought that was it, another brown snake curled around on the track! Mary let out a sort of scream, I jumped and scooted ahead as quick as I could. More heart thumping. We really do have to get out of here and fast! Still only one way to go and that was on the tracks. Even more vigilance watching out for snakes while negotiating rocks and clumps of grass! No time for sightseeing at this stage, only time to press on and get off this track!

We came to a cross road, it was not our destination, Mary took 3 steps along when she jumped back again! Not another brown snake? Yes, and this time stretched right out across the track! What now? Mary began banging on the tracks, a rusty drum beside the track to make as much noise as possible to get it moving. She cautiously moved closer to see where it was, no sign, where had it gone and more importantly, did we keep going? No choice, we had to. But first we’ll go to the left as its head was pointing to the right, so hopefully it had slithered off that way.

This was not looking good, how many more would we see before we met up with Phil? We still had 3kms to go and we’d seen 2 snakes within a matter of metres. Don’t think the heart could take much more! Then we spotted the cow path beside the railway, that would do, off the tracks, we’ll leave them to the snakes!

It seemed to be forever before I caught sight of something white up ahead. Could it be Phil’s car? Hopefully. And then someone standing behind a gate! Phil! We’ve never been so happy to see you!

Now normally we should be continuing along the railway tomorrow. Not these two little duckies! We’ve checked out Google maps and decided we’re doing the road again, even if we have to walk a bit further. No more snakes for us!

Now they say things come in threes, three snakes, three attempts to thwart our journey - first a high tide, second fallen trees blocking our path, third three brown snakes. Well that’s it. We’ve overcome these obstacles, nothing is going to deter us from getting to Penola - our final destination on the Aussie Camino!

So, our last day tomorrow, we will get there and without the help of another snake! Hope you’re all safe and well like we are here in Mt Gambier.

[tsvdiocese]

Happy birthday to St Mary of the Cross. #marymackillop

[respectlifeperth-blog]

Holy Saints in Heaven, in your grace and wisdom, pray for us! ✨ Happy Solemnity, everyone! ✨ #allsaintsday #patronsaints #catholic #saints #solemnity #perthcatholic #stjoseph #jpii #ourlady #stteresaofjesus #chiarabadano #stgenevieve #stlucy #motherteresa #stannwang #marymackillop #stmargaretofantioch #stmargaretofscotland #dorothyday #edithstein #sthedwig #strafqa #stkateri #stmariagoretti #stcatherineofsiena #stteresaavila #joanofarc (at Respect Life Office)

[editfulla]

Mary MacKillop statue #statue #marymackillop (at ACU North Sydney Campus)

[xt3dotcom]

On Saturday 8 August, Australia celebrates the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, our first (and only) canonised Saint! In this year dedicated to Consecrated Life, here is a beautiful reflection on St Mary MacKillop’s sense of her own vocation, and call to live “for God alone”: http://www.xt3.com/library/view.php?id=19443