Reflection

How is God Calling Us?

What is God’s plan for us? Are we open to what God wants for us in our lives? Someone who was open to God’s plan in her life was Mary MacKillop.

Born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, after her mother and father migrated to Australia from Scotland, she dedicated her early life to educating poor children in regional Penola, South Australia, and at the age of 25 founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She was the first Australian nun to set up an order and the first to go outside the cities and administer to the poor. Mary MacKillop had a great vision for Catholic education and teaching children of poorer families about God. She saw the need.

Last Monday, 8 August, was the feast day of Mary MacKillop – one of Nazareth College’s six House patrons. Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop was made Australia’s first saint in 2010, and she was an outstanding religious woman of the 19th century. 

Throughout her life she struggled with both Church and State authorities to build up her order and its schools. She was even briefly excommunicated, however, she had great faith and trust in God. A measure of her success can be seen in the fact that when she died in 1909 her order had nearly one thousand members having started its teaching mission in a disused stable 43 years earlier. 

At the College, we see the needs and do something about it. For example, the activities of the Vinnies group - their Winter appeal for those in need and their upcoming Winter Sleepout in support of the homeless.

Mary MacKillop was a person who spent her life reaching out, giving and connecting. God’s presence was a dominant feature of her life. Jesus invites us, like St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, to orientate our whole lives, to set our whole heart on God’s plan for us. Like Mary, let us be people of great faith and trust in God. May we always 'Never see a need without doing something about it.'

This week is National Vocations Awareness week. Vocation means calling. We are all called by God to live wonderful lives of thanksgiving and service.

Like Mary MacKillop, may we be open to God in our lives. May we be open to God’s call and plan for us. May we use our gifts, talents and passions in loving service of God and our neighbour. 

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide.

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.