News and Events

Celebrating A Centenary......

A number of events to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the death of Mary MacKillop are being held in all parts of Tasmania this week.  The week following the anniversary has been set aside as Catholic Education Week, with the chosen theme Embrace Mary MacKillop. Engage the World.

Archbishop Doyle presided at the diocesan Eucharist at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, with about fifteen other concelebrating priests on Saturday, 8 August.   More than three hundred people, many of whom travelled from other parts of Tasmania, joined the Sisters of St Joseph to celebrate the anniversary of the death of their co-foundress.  In his homily, Archbishop Doyle spoke of Mary’s humility, patience and big-heartedness during the testing period when Mary MacKillop was not the leader of the Congregation.  He used this period of her life to illustrate how she truly gave witness to the qualities St Paul spoke of in his letter to the Colossians – compassion, gentleness, patience and generosity. 

Following the Eucharist, large numbers of people joined the Sisters to share light refreshments.

At both Sacred Heart College, New Town and MacKillop Catholic College, Mornington, the Sisters of St Joseph were invited guests at the college Eucharistic celebrations.   Mary MacKillop was honoured and acknowledged as a model of holiness to inspire all Australians, but especially young people.   The MacKillop College students presented an inspiring song that had been composed by one of their students at the JJAMM session in North Sydney earlier this year. 

Two “ABC reporters” from MacKillop College also gave a news broadcast on the progress being made towards the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop.  Answering a host of probing questions from journalists, the investigators into her Cause stood on the steps of the Vatican and presented the stages in the process to date and introduced the recipient of the first officially recognised miracle.  The Coogee assault victim, Michael, was also present, with his parents, all the way from Ireland. They spoke of their gratitude to Mary MacKillop for her intercession on their son’s behalf and their love for and devotion to this woman who knew suffering and pain in her own life.

Schools and Colleges from around the State had their art work on display at the Catholic Education Office.  They depicted in creative, colourful and skilful ways how Mary MacKillop’s life inspired them.  Many students were able to be present at the official launch of the Exhibition of over seventy entries.  Sister Jillian Dance, Sister Guardian of the Sisters of St Joseph, was invited to open and launch the exhibition.  In her address, Sister Jill shared with parents, staff, sisters and students how Mary MacKillop was a source of inspiration in her own life.

In each region of Tasmania, in the South, the North and the North West, Colleges and schools are participating in special liturgies and activities to mark Catholic Education Week and the centenary of the death of Mary MacKillop.  In each region, awards are being presented to members of school communities who have served Catholic Education in special ways.  Many schools take the opportunity to remember the poor and the marginalised by fund-raising and contributing to the Archbishop’s Samaritan Fund.