Next week, on August 8 we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. On this Feast Day we are called to pause and reflect on the wisdom her life experiences offer to us in this time.

Mary MacKillop was a woman who dared to believe in her dream and to trust in God. She lived the Gospel faithfully as a missionary, and this trust gave her the courage to take risks and to break boundaries.

It called her to travel down rough roads and on stormy seas into places well beyond her imaginings. Her presence brought an explosion of God’s love to the most needy in Australia and beyond, thus improving the lives of those who were poor. She was a woman before her time with an incredible vision and is indeed a Saint for all people.

Trusting in Mary can light our path. No matter what darkness she entered or how uncertain she was at times, Mary never wavered in her belief that the work she was doing was the work of the Holy Spirit. She never doubted that hers was a call from God. Nor did she ever waver from her sense of duty – that there were certain things which she simply had to do, even if she didn’t want to do them, even when she found them painful. 

Mary MacKillop brought about a change in the newly colonised Australia. Australia was a tough place at this time, there was little money and very few people. Mary through her work in the Church, brought about a better living for all Australians. She is Australia's first saint and a Saint for all the world.

At 10:00am on Saturday 8 August, the Wollongong Catholic Diocese will be broadcasting a special Liturgy to celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with Bishop Brian and the Sisters of St Joseph. It will be a wonderful occasion to come together to pray, sing and reflect on the life of Australia's only canonised Saint. As per usual, the Liturgy will be broadcast on the usual channels: YouTube, Facebook and the Diocesan website

Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning