August 8th In Australia Mary Mackillop

[cappie]

There is a very real sense in which the Church is one huge family that stretches through history. We are all very different. The Church goes through different epochs and ages and yet there is this incredible bond between us all that leads back to Jesus. But for us in our community, some people in that family are really special; the ones in our community who are such a wonderful example to us of what happens when you love Christ and give your life entirely to Him. For us in a very special way in Australia , Mary MacKillop is that person. The route that she has carved out in her life; the faith by which she lived and the love that characterised her life are special for us as we live in Australia, 

 

 In the Hebrew Scriptures Abraham began his journey without a clear understanding of his goal except that he recognised the call of God in his life. He died not knowing how God’s vision would be realised. This is the life of faith. Mary MacKillop began to follow the call of God with similar uncertainty. And in the darkness of set-back and opposition she clung to the promise of God’s fidelity.

 

To live by faith is like taking a walk on a dark night. The stars or the street lights give some light but we need to go carefully.

 

Jesus responded to this challenge of faith by telling his friends not to live in fear. The vision of God’s kingdom, calling us on, will be our assurance.

 

Mary placed complete trust in her God through the love of the Sacred Heart. She knew what she needed to treasure and of what to let go.  She encouraged others to rely on the gracious providence of God.

 

Mary MacKillop was pierced to the heart by the poverty and suffering that was all around her. Anybody who shared this awareness was encouraged to play a role in the healing, teaching and feeding ministry exemplified in Jesus.

 

Being Christian is about the care for one another in ordinary life, care of family, neighbourhood, or out into the wider society. Most of us will be the quiet unassuming presence of Jesus in our communities ready like yeast to bring about the transformation. Mary embraced the Cross of generous service to help and encourage others to reach out in love.

 

She was canonised on 17 October 2010, during a public ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. She is the first and only Australian to be recognised by the Catholic Church as a saint.

 

[Catherine Therese]

Not that I don't think St Mary Mackillop is awesome or anything, but St Dominic has turned into a moveable feast, it seems.

 

A different day every year. Generally on the 5th... so I managed to get to a lunchtime Mass between meetings on the 5th.... to celebrate an Ordinary Time day (admittedly with an awesome Gospel - the Walking on Water one.) OBVIOUSLY I made an effort to block my work calendar in the middle of the day on Wednesday too for the Transfiguration. But didn't realise that TODAY was the feast of St Dominic this year in Australia, because I don't recall it EVER being on the 7th before. And today I was stuck in meetings most of the day, and working away like a mad thing between them, so I thought I'd not make waves and try to step out for an ordinary time day. 

 

My mistake, yes.

 

But, as a former-Dominican-for-real and very much still a Dominican on the inside, I feel gypped.

[cappie]

Yes it has become confusing, more so when in the Australian Ordo it has become an optional memorial! In our Capuchin Franciscan Ordo it was celebrated on 5th but to conform to the new edition of the Roman Missal we will change our ordo to the 7th but still retain it as a feast as we say of our holy father St Dominic!

 

In Sydney there was a Dominican Rite Mass Monday evening at St Benedict's Church Broadway and yesterday I celebrated the 12.35 Mass for the Roman Missal (in Australia), we had a large gathering of students so it was given the respect the great man deserved :bananarap:

[Catherine Therese]

I was at the Dominican rite mass last year because I worked at Notre Dame and was still in the loop. Didn't hear about it this year!! Ah well, glad to hear he was celebrated, even if I missed it.

[cappie]