In the Footsteps of Mary Mackillop

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In the Footsteps of Mary Mackillop LittleLittle did did either either of of us us then then dream dream ofof whatwhat waswas to to spring spring from from so so small small a a beginning. beginning. MaryMary MacKillop MacKillop 4.3.1891 4.3.1891 BOOKING & ENQUIRY DETAILS BOOKING & ENQUIRY DETAILS For further information or to make an For furtherapplication, information please or contact: to make an application, please contact: Australian Pilgrimage Co-Ordinator Australian Pilgrimage Co-Ordinator 02 8912 4818 [email protected] 8912 4818 [email protected] THE JOURNEY THE JOURNEY • Starting in Melbourne, experience the early life • Starting in Melbourne, experience the early life of of Mary and the MacKillop Family. Mary and the MacKillop Family. • Continue the story by coach to Hamilton, • ContinuePortland the andstory Port by McDonnell.coach to Hamilton, Portland and Port McDonnell. • Spend two nights in Penola connecting with the • SpendMary two MacKillop nights in and Penola Fr Julian connecting Tenison Woods’with the stories. Mary The Sisters of SaintSt Joseph Joseph commissioned commissioned Jan Jan Williamson Williamson to topaint paint ‘The‘The Vision’ Vision’ by by Jan Jan Williamson Williamson MacKillop• Coach andinto Fr South Julian Australia Tenison andWoods’ visit stories.Our Lady ‘The‘The Vision’ Vision’ as as part part of of the the Sesquicentenary Sesquicentenary celebra celebrationsti ons of the Sisters ofof SaintSt Joseph Joseph of theof the Sacred Sacred Heart Heart • CoachStar into of theSouth Sea Australia - a church and built visit by OurFr Julian Lady Tenison Star of 1866-20161866-2016 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF the SeaWoods - a churchat Robe. built by Fr Julian Tenison Woods at IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF Robe.• Continue on to Adelaide where Mary professed MARY MACKILLOP her vows as a Sister of Saint Joseph and immerse MARY MACKILLOP • Continue on to Adelaide where Mary professed her ourselves in the unfolding story of the vows as a Sister of St Joseph and immerse ourselves in Congregation. 2018 Australian Pilgrimage the unfolding story of the Congregation. • Fly to Sydney and spend three nights at Mary 23 October to 3 November • Fly toMacKillop Sydney and Place spend where three Mary nights lived atand Mary died. MacKillopVisit her Place burial where site Maryin the lived Memorial and died. Chapel. Visit her 25th Anniversary Pilgrimage of the burial site in the Memorial Chapel. Sisters of Saint Joseph • Extra cost for those who wish to spend a couple • Extraof cost extra for nights those in who Sydney wish before to spend they a returncouple home. of 22 OctoberA Pilgrimage to 2 November of extraA full nights itinerary in Sydney is attached before to theythe applicationreturn home. form. 2019 Australianthe Sisters Pilgrimageof St Joseph A full itinerary is attached to the application form. PILGRIMAGE COST Costs include airfares, accommodation, coach travel, The notion of going on a pilgrimage and being a admission fees and all meals (but not drinks). pilgrim is a very ancient one that belongs to the IN THE FOOTSTEPS Pilgrimage begins on the evening of 22nd October spiritual tradition of all great faiths. & concludes on the morning of 2nd November. OF MARY MACKILLOP Ex Brisbane & Hobart $3,745 Twin Share Since early times Christians have been known as Ex Melbourne & Sydney $3,575 Twin Share pilgrims because they journeyed to the sacred An Australian Pilgrimage Ex Adelaide & Canberra $3,765 Twin Share Ex Perth $4,125 Twin Share places throughout Christendom. These places of Ex Cairns $3,970 Twin Share pilgrimage beckoned people to touch and become This pilgrimage has been prepared Ex Darwin $4,195 Twin Share caught up in the atmosphere and spiritual realities by the Sisters of Saint Joseph to help Ex Auckland $4,390 Twin Share that belonged to their origins. you enter more deeply into Mary Ex Christchurch $4,350 Twin Share Single Supplement for all areas $685 pp Today we recognise that each of us is on a daily and Julian’s stories and spirituality. INSURANCE journey of faith but there is a time in life when we Cancellation and/or travel insurance is feel called to join with others; seeking, listening, The opportunity for prayer and recommended and available upon request. reflecting and seeing the hand of God at work in reflection is a significant part of the DEPOSIT our own lives. $200 of which $50 is non-refundable and Pilgrimage which is led by a team non-transferable. Mary MacKillop Place offers such an opportunity to of Sisters of Saint Joseph. APPLICATION For an application form or further information journey to significant places in Australia made holy email [email protected] by Saint Mary MacKillop. While on pilgrimage we are Participating in 10 days of sharing or telephone Therese Leydon rsj 0417 683123 or Annie Bond rsj 02 8912 4818. invited to reflect on Saint Mary MacKillop’s life and a journey will draw you more to recognise her relevance in our own lives. Such deeply into the story of the PLEASE FORWARD TO: reflection can encourage us to emulate her courage, foundation of the Congregation Cardigan Touring Services, perseverance, joy and deep faith. Mary MacKillop Pilgrimage, by Julian Tension Woods and PO Box 4010, ALFREDTON VIC 3350 Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney is recognised Mary MacKillop in Penola, • Application Form • Photo ID which includes your name e.g. as a national place of pilgrimage in Australia and and how their vision has unfolded. Photocopy of Driver’s Licence; or Passport; is made sacred by Australia’s first canonised saint or State Identification Card being entombed in the Memorial Chapel. PLEASE FORWARD A COPY OF THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM & PHOTO ID TO: Australian Pilgrimage Co-Ordinator, ‘God is truly good to us all.’ Mary MacKillopPlace, PO Box 1081, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059 Mary MacKillop, 9.7.1873 OR email to [email protected].
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  • (Mary Mackillop), Virgin Year B 8 August 2021
    Welcome to Saint Mary of the Cross St. Patrick’s Catholic (Mary Mackillop), Virgin Church Mortlake Year B 8 August 2021 Parish Priest: Fr. Tom Stevens IMPORTANT NOTICE Parish Secretary: Brenda Johnston St Pats will be completely closed during the entire lock down period. Address: 33 Gale Street Mortlake NSW 2137 There will be NO WEEKEDAY AND NO Postal Address: PO Box 145 Concord NSW 2137 WEEKEND MASSES during the lockdown period. A General Dispensation is granted Parish Office: Fridays only (9am-3pm) from attending Sunday Mass. Phone: (02) 9743 1017 Fr Tom remains contactable on 9743 1017. Email: [email protected] Website: www.stpatsmortlake.org.au LINK TO MASSES ONLINE: Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpatsmortlake https://www.sydneycatholic.org/live-masses/ St MARY OF THE CROSS MacKILLOP PRAYER TO SAINT MARY MACKILLOP (1842-1909) EVER-GENEROUS GOD, Sunday 8 August YOU INSPIRED ST MARY MACKILLOP TO LIVE This Sunday, 8 August, marks the Solemnity of St HER LIFE FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL OF Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1842-1909), JESUS CHRIST Australia's first official saint. A remarkable AND CONSTANT IN BRINGING HOPE woman of Faith, Strength and Determination to AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE WHO WERE do good works for others and empower DISHEARTENED, LONELY, OR NEEDY. individuals wherever she went. Mary lived a life WE ASK THAT OUR FAITH AND HOPE BE FIRED helping the poor, sick and needy. We can learn AFRESH BY THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT WE TOO, from her example of Faith in Action. As St Mary LIKE MARY MACKILLOP, MAY LIVE WITH wrote in March 1900 to her Sisters: COURAGE, TRUST, AND OPENNESS.
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  • Background to the Foundation of the Sisters of St Joseph & The
    Background to the Foundation of the Sisters of St Joseph & the Establishment of the Woods/MacKillop System of Catholic Education Sr Marie Therese Foale rsj Australia has a Catholic Education second to none in the world. Our country owes this to the vision, energy and hard work of a great many people over the past two centuries. In particular, we acknowledge the courage and foresight of those two great Australians, Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods, and of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph which they established in South Australia in the 1860s. Woods and Mary did their most important educational work in that state and the religious congregation they founded was shaped and nurtured by the particular ethos of its people. A glance at its early history will help the reader to come to some understanding of the background to the founders' work and why it developed as it did. South Australia was a colony with a difference. White settlers arrived there in 1836, fifty years after Captain Arthur Phillip and the convicts had laid claim to New South Wales. Those who came to South Australia were free men and women whose aim was to create a society where all might enjoy the religious and political freedom denied them in the British Isles. Hence, they were utterly opposed to any form of state aid to religion. They refused to allow the establishment of a government­sponsored Church such as existed in the old country and decreed that the members of each religious denomination should provide their own places of worship support their own ministers and pay for the education of their children.
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  • Footsteps of St Mary Mackillop Standley Chasm a Pilgrimage with Fr Michael Dyer Departing 26 March 2022 Ellery Creek Big Hole 3 Alice Springs
    NORTHERN TERRITORY Footsteps of St Mary MacKillop Standley Chasm A Pilgrimage with Fr Michael Dyer departing 26 March 2022 Ellery Creek Big Hole 3 Alice Springs Hermannsburg Kings Canyon 2 Santa Teresa Mission Kata Tjuta 2 Olgas Uluru Curtin Springs Ayers Rock SOUTH AUSTRALIA VIC & SA Set out together on a true Australian Pilgrimage through the life and times of Mary MacKillop, as we rekindle the story, landscapes and spirit of our nations’ first saint. FULLY ESCORTED TOUR COST With Chaplain: 11 DAYS $ Per person 3990 Twin or Dbl Fr Michael Dyer Departs Melbourne + Domestic Airfares (if applicable) And Tour Director: Sat 26 March 2022 Price based on min 25 group size. Colleen Duffy Returns Adelaide SINGLE ROOM Tue 05 April 2022 Plus $ Additional Professional Driver/Guide Tour Code: MM2201 1190 Supplement HIGHLIGHTS: Melbourne (1) • Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre • Town of Lara • Apollo Bay (1) • Great Ocean Road • The Twelve Apostles Sevenhill Winery • Portland (2) • Hamilton • Mt Gambier (Blue Lake) • Stay in Penola (2) • Majella Wines • Towns of Robe & Murray Bridge • Victor Harbor (1) 2 Barossa Valley • Fairy Penguins tour • Hahndorf German Village • Barossa Valley (2) Adelaide 1 • Sevenhill Winery / Ignatian Centre • High Tea at Barossa Chateau Hahndorf Murray Bridge • MacKillop Adelaide highlights • Adelaide (1) 1 Victor Harbor SA DAILY COMMUNITY MEET COLOURFUL WITH AMAZING MASSES CHARACTERS CHAPLAINS State Library of South Australia, B 23825 Celebrating Eucharist Hear their inspiring Giving spiritual VIC with the locals stories blessings
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  • St Mary Mackillop
    SaintLorem MaryLorem ipsum ipsumofLorem the Crossipsum (Mary Mackillop) 7th & 8th August 2021 Mary MacKillop Thoughts of Bl Francis Jordan Prayer As long as there is one person on earth who does not know God and does not love God above all things, you dare not allow yourself a moment’s rest. Ever-generous God, You inspired St Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. With confidence in your generous providence and joining with St Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our request….(name your request). We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust, and openness. Pope Francis’ Due to NSW Government Prayer Intentions restrictions, our Churches For August are closed until further Ever-generous God, STREAM notice. hear our prayer. We will livestream our 10am A warm welcome We ask this through Jesus Christ. Mass this Sunday so that all are able to join in Spiritual to all our parishioners Communion with us as a and visitors who are celebrating the Eucharist Amen. The Church parish family of Pittwater. To join the livestreaming please with us at Pittwater Let us pray for the Church, that visit our parish website Parish Online she may receive from the Holy © 2009 Trustees of the Sisters of St Joseph https://www.bbcatholic.o Spirit the grace and strength to rg.au/pittwater/news-eve Nihil Obstat Sydney April 2009.
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  • St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Will Be Added to the Solemnities of the Australian Church
    St Mary of the Cross Aug2011 MacKillop Aug 6: Transfiguration Aug 7: Ordinary Time 19 Walking on water Aug 8: Saint Mary MacKillop Compassion Aug 9: Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross Aug 11: Saint Clare of Assisi Aug 14: Ordinary Time 20 Take pity on me Aug 15: The Assumption Good Soil Aug 21: Ordinary Time 21 Unstoppable faith Aug 22: Mary Queen of Saints Aug 24: St Bartholomew On August 8, 2011 the universal Church Aug 28: Ordinary Time 22 will honour Australia’s first saint Take up your cross By Marilyn Rodriguez Aug 29:Beheading of John the Baptist 1 St Mary of the Cross For the first time, on What is a August 8, 2011, the solemnity? universal Church will A solemnity is the honour Australia’s first highest rank in the saint, St Mary of the liturgical church Cross MacKillop. It has always been her feast day, calendar. There but from this year the are 14 universal liturgical observance of solemnities this feast will be raised to which include a ‘solemnity’. the Epiphany, Corpus Christi the Annunciation and many more. From 2011, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop will be added to the solemnities of the Australian Church. 2 Why do we have saints? There are millions of saints in the Church, “Mary MacKillop in her that is, people who have died and gone to sainthood continues to do what she did in her lifetime heaven. However only a few thousand have – lead people to God... been officially recognised by canonisation. The call of God is for us all Although St Mary of the Cross was deeply to be saints – to live with extraordinary faith and to loved during her lifetime, many more people live lives of heroic virtue.” love her now that she has been elevated to Sr Anne Derwin, congregational sainthood.
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  • Mary Mackillop Centre Adelaide
    Mary MacKillop Centre Adelaide Hub of Spirituality Education Hospitality A spiritual oasis in a busy city! 2014 Programmes and Events www.marymackillopadelaide.org.au Mary MacKillop Centre Adelaide Hub of Spirituality Education Hospitality The Centre is located at Kensington, on the historical site of St Joseph’s Convent—the first permanent Josephite Mother House which was established by Mary MacKillop in 1872, and where she lived, prayed and worked until 1883. Mary MacKillop Centre Adelaide comprises: St Joseph’s Chapel Mary MacKillop Exhibition Centre and Bethany (Conference) Centre Together, they form our ‘Hub’ Spirituality Education Hospitality 2 2014 Programme 1 About Mary MacKillop Centre Adelaide 2 St Joseph’s Chapel - Events for 2014 A spiritual oasis in a busy city! 3 Mary MacKillop’s Mondays - 3rd Monday of Every Month 4-6 Daytime Spirituality Sessions: March 19, June 3, July 5, August 27 September 29, October 7, November 1 6 Spirituality for Teachers: “Mary MacKillop Still Teaching Us!” March 1, April 23, October 9 7 Good Grief - Seasons for Growth: 2014 Programme 8 Personal Development: Jungian Insights 9 Personal Development: Enneagram Weekend Workshop 10 Mary MacKillop Exhibition Centre: Open Days And ‘About Time’ History Month Event 11 3-day Weekend Guided Retreat: Lectio in Lent”- March 8-10 12 6-day Retreat #1: April 27-May 4 Listening to the Universe … Living Responsively 13 6-day Retreat #2: June 22-29 Praying with the Josephite Constitutions 14 6-day Retreat # 3: July 11-18 Patterns of Transformation in My Life
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  • St Mary Mackillop: Her Influence on Catholic Social Services Yesterday
    SSSttt MMMaaarrryyy MMMaaacccKKKiiilllllloooppp::: HHHeeerrr iiinnnfffllluuueeennnccceee ooonnn CCCaaattthhhooollliiiccc SSSoooccciiiaaalll SSSeeerrrvvviiiccceeesss YYYeeesssttteeerrrdddaaayyy TTTooodddaaayyy TTTooommmooorrrrrrooowww MMMaaarrryyy MMMaaacccKKKiiilllllloooppp’’’sss MMMeeelllbbbooouuurrrnnneee::: FFFrrrooommm tthhheeennn ‘‘‘tttiiillllll nnnooowww ttthhh JJJoooaaannn HHHeeeaaalllyyy rrrsssjjj --- OOOccctttooobbbeeerrr 111444 222000111111 I acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation who for tens of thousands of years walked this land, protecting and nurturing it; I pay my respect to their elders past and present. I remember that Mary MacKillop was born on this land, their land. Mary knew Melbourne; knew it well. Her Melbourne story gives particular insight into her spirit; it spans the first and the last years of her life. She lived her childhood and young womanhood in Victoria, mostly close to Melbourne.i God was drawing her to a distinctive way of living the gospel of Jesus. The gospel nourished her spirit; her response was a radical love of God and love of people. As a young woman Mary wrote, ‘God’s presence seems to follow me everywhere, and makes everything I do or wish to do a prayer.’ To understand this is to understand the decisions she made. Her consciousness of God was shaped and formed among the people who came into her life; she wept, laughed, rejoiced, and worried with them and found God there. Mary finally returned to Victoria as a Josephite Sister in 1890 having established an Australian-style religious congregation, having been excommunicated, having defended this Australian way in Rome, having been exiled from South Australia, having been stood down as Congregational Leader. She knew the cost of the path she was taking: ‘costing not less than everything’ii.
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  • Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop Where the Story of the Josephites Continued
    Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop where the story of the Josephites continued School House Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods were deeply committed to the education of all children, regardless of wealth and social standing. When their classes outgrew a small cottage, St The Sisters of St Joseph continued her work in Joseph’s Church and a stable, this purpose-built Penola, teaching and living in this schoolhouse off school building was constructed. Work began in and on up until 1889. October 1866 and was completed in May 1867, with the building’s simplicity reflecting the When the new St Joseph’s School (now the Mary commitment of the Josephite Order to a life of MacKillop Memorial School) opened in 1936, humility and poverty. the schoolhouse became a parish hall. In 1989, following a lengthy restoration process, it was re- Within weeks of the schoolhouse opening, Mary dedicated as the Woods-MacKillop Schoolhouse by MacKillop boarded the steamship SS Penola for Archbishop Faulkner. The heritage-listed building the journey to Adelaide, where she went on to now operates as a museum. establish the Cathedral Hall School and took her formal vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Be inspired by Mary MacKillop’s journey along the early path to sainthood Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop nurturing a dream Slab Homestead Mary MacKillop celebrated her nineteenth birthday on 15 January 1861 in this slab homestead owned by Alexander Cameron, who was one of the first settlers in the district. Her aunt Margaret (nee MacKillop) was Conscious of its significance to the local area, Alexander’s wife, and Mary had moved the family took detailed plans of the original from Melbourne to work for the family as a building and numbered every section before governess.
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  • St Mary of the Cross (Mackillop) - 8 August 2021
    Pastoral Liturgy Volume 51 Issue 3 Pastoral Liturgy 51 No 3 Article 18 20-5-2021 St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) - 8 August 2021 Gerard Moore Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/pastoral-liturgy Part of the Catholic Studies Commons, and the Liturgy and Worship Commons Recommended Citation Moore, Gerard. "St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) - 8 August 2021." Pastoral Liturgy 51, no. 3 (2021): 1-5. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/pastoral-liturgy/vol51/iss3/18 This Liturgical Resource is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pastoral Liturgy by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Moore: St Mary of the Cross 8 August 2021 St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) Reflection by Gerard Moore Introduction Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne (Australia) in 1842 and died in Sydney on 8 August 1909. She took the religious name Mary of the Cross. Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, and for her abiding trust in God's providence. The texts for the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours for St Mary of the Cross McKillop are available at https://www.catholic.org.au/council-documents/national-liturgical-council-2/national- liturgical-documents-for-australia-1/australian-catholic-bishops-conference-1/1267- liturgical-texts-of-mass-liturgy-of-the-hours-for-st-mary-of-the-cross-mackillop-8- august-2010-1/file Penitential Act Use one of the Roman Missal texts or this optional litany form: Lord Jesus you came so that we might be saved through your grace.
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  • Significant Dates in the Life & Sainthood of Mary Mackillop
    St Joseph’s School (The Stable School) Significant Dates in the opens on 19 March, St Joseph’s Day. Mary wears a plain black dress to signify Life & Sainthood of her dedication to do God’s work. Mary MacKillop 1867 Mary leaves Penola for Adelaide with Sister Rose Cunningham on 21 June. Opens the first convent-cottage in Grote 1842 Mary Helen MacKillop born in Brunswick Street, Adelaide. Begins teaching in St Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne on 15 January Francis Xavier Hall School; takes religious to Flora (nee MacDonald) and vows on 15 August. Alexander MacKillop. Baptised on 28 January in St Francis’ Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. 1870 Troubles in Adelaide during Mary’s absence in Queensland. Visionaries encouraged by Fr Julian. Opposition of 1860 Governess to Cameron children some priests. (cousins) at Penola Homestead, South Australia. Meets local parish priest, Fr 1871 127 Sisters and 34 schools in South Julian Tenison Woods, for the first time. Australia. Growing tension in Adelaide between Bishop Laurence Sheil, Fr Julian 1862 Mary resides at Portland, Victoria, and and some priests about the running of continues governess work. the Order. On 3 February the clergy present a submission to the bishop highly 1863 Applies for her first formal teaching critical of the Sisters and Fr Julian. Mary position at Portland’s Catholic writes to the Bishop on 10 September Denominational School in October. explaining her position. Mary Renews acquaintance with Fr Julian, excommunicated and 47 Sisters who visits Portland – not far from his expelled by Bishop Laurence Sheil in huge parish over 56,000 square Adelaide on 22 September.
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  • Unlikely Band Heads to Rome for Canonization of Blessed Mary Mackillop
    Unlikely band heads to Rome for canonization of Blessed Mary MacKillop Without the urgency Dolores Orlando feels to protect humanity wherever it is endangered, a man with a family link to Blessed Mary MacKillop and some of their mutual friends would not have an informed Catholic sharing insight into the rituals the group will observe when she becomes Australia’s first saint Oct. 17. Orlando and Thomas Kiefer met through the Valley Toastmasters. His late mother emigrated to the United States from Australia. An aunt who still lives there married a distant cousin of MacKillop’s, which has made for exciting discussion and research at the group’s twice-monthly meetings in Hunt Valley. “I help defend life,” Orlando said. “When I joined the Valley group, it was for the purpose of becoming a better public speaker.” The canonization will add to a memorable church year for Orlando. She is the sister of Father Gregory Rapisarda and the aunt – and godmother – of Father John Rapisarda. The former’s June 12 ordination made them the first father- son priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in two centuries. “Dolores has always been an encourager, a person I go to for advice,” Father Gregory Rapisarda said. “She’s always been a devout Catholic, a daily communicant. She’s an enthusiastic defender of life. She approaches that cause with an enthusiasm that is inspiring.” A parishioner of Immaculate Conception in Towson, Orlando is the only Catholic in the group that was to depart for Rome Oct. 13. In addition to Kiefer and three of his relatives, the party includes fellow Valley Toastmasters Carol Hawtof and Linda Losey.
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  • Mary Mackillop and Friendship
    124 Australian Folklore 25, 2010 ‘Staunchly Your Friend’: Mary Mackillop and Friendship Mary Cresp RSJ ABSTRACT: Sr. Cresp, a longtime member of the Order founded by Sr. Mary MacKillop, has elected to dwell on one aspect of the life of this recently canonized founder of her Order. This core of her life is linked to Aelred of Rievaulx’s De spiritali amicitia (‘Spiritual Friendship’), of c.1160. Here the spiritual quality is explored as it was practised by the new Saint. Some time ago I made a cursory search of Mary MacKillop’s writings to identify different themes and was amazed at the result. In almost every letter she wrote, the word ‘friend’ appears.1 I was reminded of the point made by philosopher Beatrice Bruteau that the ‘kingdom’,2 inaugurated in the life and death of Jesus Christ, took its shape most precisely at the Last Supper. Here Jesus established the ‘Communion Paradigm’, as opposed to society’s paradigm of domination. Social hierarchy was inverted at that moment, when the ‘master’ became ‘servant’ and the relationship between members of this kingdom was described as being that of ‘friends’.3 It is obvious that Mary MacKillop was always open to the possibility of friendship. Her letters and the memories of her written by her contemporaries testify to one who had many close friends, her confidants in times of joy and sorrow.4 Was this because, in her time, she lived according to the ‘communion paradigm’? There is much in her life, I find, to corroborate this theory. Indeed, given the fact that her union with God, that is, her holiness, has been recognised by the Catholic Church,5 one would expect that her growth in Christ would have produced attitudes that reflected his own.
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