The above quote by Mary MacKillop is a reminder that this life is temporary and a journey. As we journey through life, we encounter ups and downs which can shape our lives and contribute to who we are.
On Sunday 18 August (and in the month of Mary MacKillop’s feast), The Forest and Set Alight communities of young adults and professionals from Ryde-Gladesville Parish in Sydney, joined together to embark on a pilgrimage to learn more about the life and legacy of Mary MacKillop, a woman who understood the journey of life.
Being a part of The Forest community and knowing the story of Mary MacKillop well, I was invited by a Set Alight young adult leader to help organise a pilgrimage to Mary MacKillop Place located in North Sydney.
The Ryde-Gladesville Parish which includes St Charles Borromeo Church in Ryde, has a special connection to Mary MacKillop. Her mother Flora was originally buried in the Church’s cemetery and Mary was present at Flora’s burial. In 1973, Flora’s remains were transferred to Macquarie Park Cemetery.
We began the pilgrimage at Lane Cove, where we met outside a café and prayed. We were to walk from Lane Cove to Mary MacKillop Place, stopping at Gore Hill cemetery on the way.
Instead of taking the route via the busy Pacific Highway, we walked through the bushy and hilly suburbs. Although we began the pilgrimage with sunny weather, the weather suddenly became cloudy and then it rained. Encountering the weather change, walking the hilly streets, and walking up the long stairs as we approached Gore Hill Cemetery, I thought about how this route could serve as a metaphor for enduring the ups and downs of life.
At Gore Hill Cemetery we gathered at the original burial spot of Mary MacKillop where, using the booklet In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop – A pilgrimage to Gore Hill Cemetery, we learnt about the history of the cemetery and the death of Mary MacKillop. Although it was raining, we had the opportunity to pray, read about Mary MacKillop’s life on the memorial wall, and explore the cemetery.
From Gore Hill, we headed to St Leonards for brunch, from where we were to walk to our final destination of Mary MacKillop Place. Funnily enough at Mary MacKillop Place, the weather went back to being sunny!
At Mary MacKillop Place, I led the museum tour where we learnt about the story and legacy of Mary MacKillop, finishing the tour at Alma Cottage where Mary died.
We concluded the pilgrimage in the Chapel where we all gathered around Mary MacKillop’s tomb to pray and reflect on the qualities of Mary MacKillop, and to pray for our communities. There was also time for personal prayer in the Chapel.
I enjoyed sharing the life and legacy of Mary MacKillop with my fellow pilgrims. I also enjoyed the fellowship while we were walking to and at our destinations.
Being inspired by Mary MacKillop, let us “remember that we are but travellers here”, and how we can endure the journey of life with all its ups and downs just like Mary did, travelling towards our final destination of eternal life with God.
You can follow The Forest via Instagram here and Facebook here, and Set Alight via Instagram here and Facebook here.
Mary Baynie
Communications Officer, Congregational Administration Services