First Australian Saint
Co-founded Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart 1866
Died: 8th August 1909
Beatified: 19th January 1995
Canonised: 17th October 2010

www.marymackillop.org.au
 
Mary MacKillop's achievements are a proud part of Australia's history. She was an earthy, practical woman who, it is said, judged nobody and blamed nobody. Throughout her magnificent struggle she was never heard to utter a word of bitterness, and treated prince or pauper, bishop or criminal with the same kindness, honesty and respect. She has left an indelible mark on the fabric and future of Australia.

Because she was widely regarded as being saintly, her official cause for canonisation was formally undertaken in Sydney in 1926. The path to her canonisation was completed on Sunday 17th October when Pope Benedict XVI officially canonsised Mary as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first Saint.

Our parish welcomed a beautiful icon of St Mary of the Cross, donated by the Jones family, which was presented to the parish at Mass on Sunday 17th October and blessed.