Every year, the Josephite Companions celebrate ‘Josephite Companions Day’. To commemorate this day, there was a webinar titled ‘Companions Supporting Companions’ on 31 August which featured the life of Mary MacKillop’s sister, Annie.

Who is the story-teller in your family? Every family has one; someone who keeps the memories alive, never lets the exact truth get in the way of a good story, and really enjoys seeing the pleasure it brings. We have come away from the webinar today with a feeling that the MacKillop family had a story-teller in Annie MacKillop.

Our group of Josephite Companions from Sawtell, New South Wales, were very fortunate to have a technologically talented computer person, in the form of Kathryn, who proposed we do it together and so we had nine members around the table.

We had not seen ourselves as part of St Mary of the Cross’ family before, but as we moved through the day, we realised we are. We are the ones who keep the memories alive, tell the stories, repeat the sayings, and walk the walk. There were no grandchildren in this very faith-filled family to do that. So, if we do not do it, who will?

The reading from the Book of Ruth made us very aware of how people looking after people can evoke a remarkable response. Antoinette’s prayer and reflection was appreciated.

Anne-Maree had researched Annie for many years and spoke from a wonderful depth of knowledge with warmth and insightfulness. She traced Annie’s beginnings from being a middle child of the family of Alexander and Flora MacKillop. She was one of the siblings who looked up to Mary as the eldest.

What was remarkable about Annie was her faithfulness to her family and especially her sister Mary. The task Mary and Julian Tenison Woods set about achieving, was always going to be more than just the two of them. It was a task for many people to get involved in, and Annie was very involved. She was a strong, independent, young woman who saw her role outside religious life. Annie humbly carried out more than would have been expected of her, especially caring for her sister towards the end of Mary’s life.

Annie used music to encourage social life both inside and outside the convent. She used this talent to teach children and teachers how to spread the joy of music. This gift she had was used to raise funds to buy the necessary requirements of the nuns to allow them to continue to do their work.

This is why we see Annie as the first Companion of the Josephites. She was faithful to the task she had undertaken to support Mary, yet we know by her letters she had a sense of humor and a full social life. Annie was a good communicator, a wonderful carer and a talented entertainer.

To conclude we spent time reflecting on what resonated with us today and how we can support our fellow Companions to follow the example of Annie. It was exciting to hear reports from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Thank you, Pauline, for the opportunity.

Lorraine Kircaldy
Josephite Companion

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