College Chaplain

Dear Friends,

On the 8th August the Catholic Church, especially in Australia and New Zealand, commemorates the Feast Day of the First Saint of Australia,  Saint Mary of the Cross (1842 - 1909),  who imitated the great example of our Lord Jesus to dedicate her life and to serve the vulnerable and the poor. 

Let us ask her to intercede for each one of us and for the victim of the COVID-19 and especially for our friends and families in Beirut, Lebanon. May the Lord grant healing, consolation and help to those in needs and grant mercy and pardon to those who lost their lives during these difficult times.

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne and worked as a governess and a teacher to support her family. In 1866 she founded St Joseph’s School, the first free Catholic school in Australia. With Father Julian Tenison Woods she founded an order of nuns, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. They opened many schools and other charitable institutions, and continue to this day. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010: the first Australian Saint.

Mary MacKillop Prayer

Ever generous God,

You inspired Saint 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 through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop

We ask that you grant our request………………. (Please make your request here)

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.

Ever generous God hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.