RENews

Feast Day- St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Two very important feast days are celebrated in the month of August. Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (8th August) and the Feast of the Assumption of Mary- Mother of Jesus (15th August). Each feast day is a significant one and an important celebration for all Catholics.

In today's edition of the newsletter,  our focus turns to the upcoming Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross Mac Killop- know to us as Mary MacKillop a remarkable strong female leader in the 19th century in Australia.  On the 8th of August every year, we celebrate Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day. On this Feast Day, we celebrate the vision of Australia’s first Saint and of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We celebrate Mary MacKillop’s influence in Australia and her commitment to serving the poor – to going to where the need was and living amongst those in need. Mary's work in Penola in South Australia alongside Father Woods ensured that education in this country is what it is today thanks to her dedication and determination.

Mary MacKillop is Australia's first saint. Born in Victoria in the 1800s and devoted her life to teaching children. She believed that every child has the right to an education and to be given the chance to learn no matter your status. In 1866 Mary set up the first of many schools. She also founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who continue to do the good work Mary started.

Over the fortnight we ask that you take some time out and share with your child/children Mary's Story. Provided is a picture storybook written by Sally Murphy and illustrated by Sonia Martinez. This beautiful text provides a snapshot of who Mary was and how she came to be Australia's first saint. Living in Melbourne we are very fortunate to be able to visit the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and view her artifacts and learn all about this wonderful woman.

Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre – East Melbourne

https://www.mmhc.org.au/education-2/school-education-programs/

Picture Story Book

During these difficult times, let us as a St Raphael community pray as Mary MacKillop often would pray- NOVENA prayer.  Novena prayer- is a prayer recited for nine days.   Traditionally it is a nine-day period of intensive prayer at a time of great need trusting in God's compassionate love and care. The novena, however, need not be prayed on consecutive days, and it can of course continue beyond nine-days. The number of days is not the essential element of the prayer. In asking Mary MacKillop to join in the novena we are acknowledging her as a friend and as someone whose faith and trust in God will strengthen our faith and trust and so prepare us for what lies ahead. During a novena, you can use any prayer, or pray in your own words, or perhaps you would like to use the following prayer.

Novena Prayer

God, our hope in times of struggle,

be a supporting and loving presence with us

especially at this time.

Confident in your generous providence

and joining with St Mary MacKillop

we ask that you grant our request

(name the request)

....................................................

We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh

by the Spirit

so that like Mary MacKillop,

we may live with courage, trust, and openness.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ

Amen.