Jane Woolford, CEO of Mary MacKillop Today, invites the Josephite family to celebrate Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day on 8 August as a united community who believe in being fierce in the face of adversity and fair where there is injustice.

I’ll never forget the time I visited a remote school in Timor-Leste where the classroom was absolutely filled with the voices of happy children singing their hearts out to songs about literacy and numeracy.

Or the time I met with women in remote villages of Fiji who were learning new skills to build their livelihoods. Just listening to the excitement and determination of these vibrant women and children, made me think of Saint Mary MacKillop herself.

In my role at Mary MacKillop Today, I have witnessed countless examples like these that reflect Mary’s legacy in today’s world. Mary knew the power of education to lift communities out of poverty.

As you know, it was more than 150 years ago that Mary and the Sisters of Saint Joseph first travelled through the heat of the outback to some of Australia’s most remote communities. They were willing to do whatever it took to set up schools, so overlooked children could pursue an education, reach their full potential, and flourish.

This Feast Day, let’s Be Fierce for Fair!

This August, let’s walk in the footsteps of Australia’s most loved Saint. Just like Mary MacKillop, let’s be fierce in the face of adversity. Let’s be fair and act when we see injustice. Let’s give love to those we encounter each day. Together, let’s Be Fierce for Fair.

August is a special month to come together in solidarity and reflect on the impact Mary made and the place she still has in the lives of so many today. As faithful members of the Josephite family, let us Be Fierce for Fair in celebration of Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day!

To find out more about Mary MacKillop Today and to make a contribution to life-changing programs, click here.

Jane Woolford
CEO
Mary MacKillop Today