News and Events

A Weekend With Blessed Mary MacKillop

For the past several years, the June long weekend has provided the opportunity for Emmanuel team members and volunteers to step aside from their usual occupations to spend some time together reflecting on and deepening their understanding of the Josephite story and spirituality. 

Last weekend, twenty- five people gathered at the Emmanuel Pastoral and Spirituality Centre for a retreat with Blessed Mary MacKillop conducted by Sister Mary Ryan rsj from Melbourne.

One of the participants tells of the experience:  
‘The plane was delayed, there was an aborted take off in Melbourne and at Launceston the carousel stopped!    This was Sr Mary Ryan’s introduction to Launceston and the                   Emmanuel Centre’s ‘Josephite Experience’.

We walked beside Mary on her pilgrimage through life, as she travelled by
coach, train or on foot through this vast country of ours, Australia.  We stood afar off and watched as she boarded the ship on her way to Rome or New Zealand.  We sorrowed with her when the crosses became heavy.  We rejoiced in her gifts which she so generously shared and we thanked God for this courageous woman who stepped out in faith with a passionate love for her God. 

We learned of her ordinariness, selflessness, justice, compassion, her forgiveness, humour, loving kindness and her nurturing motherly care.

We imagined our own painting of Mary. Would she be young, energetic and enthusiastic, or middle aged, showing the struggle of her years, or in her old age, mellowed, but beset with illness and the frailty that is part of this stage of life?

As a woman of our time, Mary then ‘spoke’ to us words that have survived for over one    hundred years. 

'Remember, we are but travellers here'
'Gratitude is the memory of the heart.'
'There where you are, you will find God.'

And perhaps for all those experiencing pain, heartache and separation in their families there is
much consolation in the fact that Mary’s home, too, was not happy.  This did not make her bitter,
but accepting and full of compassion for others who were hurting.

 

This weekend was for all a very special experience.
It was a grace-filled time where the      
Josephite spirit was captured, strengthened and cherished in love.’