REC News

Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop

Last Sunday 8th August celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint and the co-founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s. 

Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods founded Australia’s first order of nuns, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, in 1866. They also established St. Joseph’s School in a converted stable in Penola, which provided free education to children from the local area. 

In 1868, the sisters opened schools in other Australian towns and cities, as well as an orphanage and a refuge for women released from prison. Many of these schools are still operating today. 

In June 1995 MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II. In February 2010, Pope Benedict XVI recognized MacKillop as a saint and she was canonized on 17th October.

Our school is one of the schools founded by Saint Mary MacKillop. As a school last Friday, we celebrated with class liturgies to remember the remarkable work demonstrated by Saint Mary MacKillop and her dedication to ‘never seeing a need without doing something about it’.

Yours in faith,

Karlee Hatton

Religious Education Coordinator