Flora – A Woman of Faith

Peter MacKillop with mother Flora MacKillop ca 1867 [1]
Flora MacKillop (née MacDonald) was born in The Ben Nevis (Hotel) in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands in 1816. At the time her father Donald was the proprietor. She was the only girl with two brothers, Alexander and Donald. The family migrated to Melbourne in 1840 with their mother Catherine, while their father came later after he had paid off some outstanding debts at home. He eventually arrived in 1842 after the birth of his granddaughter Mary.

Their voyage was marred by tragedy, for Alexander aged 28 years, fell overboard during a fit of delirium brought on by an attack of typhoid fever. They eventually arrived in Melbourne in April 1840; however the sorrowing family had to spend two months in quarantine.

Click here to continue reading

Reflection on Mary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop.

Strong women are rising up and making their voices heard in the workplace, in society and in the home.

The Australian of the Year, Grace Tame at a recent march for justice, implored women to be united in stamping out patriarchy. She boldly reminded us that allowing to let fear stop us from doing anything enables evil to thrive in silence.

Click here to continue reading

A Fair Go

Julian Tenison Woods, 1866.

The Christian belief is that all people are equal in God’s sight.

The Christian concept of love of neighbour is starkly different from the self-seeking competitiveness we often find in today’s world. Jesus identified with the poor and marginalised people, whereas current society often highlights the rich and powerful for adulation. Jesus advocated for a society of justice, freedom and peace. It was this type of society, this concept of love of neighbour, of fairness and justice, that Julian Tenison Woods lived and promoted.

Click here to continue reading

2021 Easter Reflection from Sr Monica

“Easter reminds us to find the new life that emerges even amid such chaos.”
May Easter be a bright and joyous day.Mary MacKillop 1.4.1906

Today we celebrate the great feast of the Resurrection in our Christian Tradition. Over these past few days, we have stood at the Cross with Mary and the other women in silence and disbelief at what has taken place. We have waited at the tomb with the women grieving the loss of their friend Jesus whom they had steadfastly supported in his ministry. We have witnessed the Resurrection with Mary Magdalen and we have been sent forth to be Easter people with hearts full of joy.

Click here to continue reading

Josephite Light Shines on Peru Mission’s 40th Anniversary, Despite COVID-19

Sr Edith Prince rsj with one of the patients from her Clinic in the early days of the Peruvian mission.

For four decades the Josephite mission in Peru has maintained the spirit of St Mary MacKillop through many hardships—all of them shared with the Peruvian people.

The COVID-19 Pandemic is the latest challenge faced by the mission, which celebrated its 40th year on 1 April.

Sister Clare Conaglen spent 16 years in the mission and recently returned to Australia to take up a position on the Congregational Leadership Team. She agreed to share some of her insights about the situation in Peru and the achievements of the mission over four decades.

Click here to continue reading

Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre Farewells Respected CEO

Many Sisters and Staff gathered in the Conference Room at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre on 3 March to thank and farewell their devoted CEO of 15 years, Garry McLean.

The guests enjoyed drinks and canapes and time to mingle prior to the formal message of acknowledgement and farewell from Sr Anne Tuck, read by Receptionist Kate Warlond in Anne’s absence.

Over the past 15 years Garry has been the passionate guardian of the story of Mary Mackillop and Julian Tenison Woods and has facilitated the spread of that story across Victoria and beyond.

Click here to continue reading

Easter Reflections 2021

Easter is a time for reflection and expressing our love for Jesus.

For this time, provided below are four reflections you can use for Passion (Palm) Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Click here to continue reading

In the Spirit of Transformation – Saint Oscar Romero

Holy Cross College, Ellenbrook, Western Australia: In the Spirit of Transformation – Saint Oscar Romero

If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of my people. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish. I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador.Saint Oscar Romero

These were the words said by Saint Oscar Romero shortly before being assassinated while saying Mass on 24 March 1980. An outspoken advocate for the Salvadoran people, Romero was often described as the “voice for the voiceless”; working tirelessly to speak out about extreme poverty, violence, and social injustice amid a growing war between left and right-wing forces. His life was one of great personal transformation. It was the murder of a close friend – Father Rutilio Grande – which catalysed Romero’s rebirth from a shy, “conservative” man into a revolutionary ready to give his life for justice to be served.

Click here to continue reading