ST Joseph’s Primary School, Nundah, was fortunate enough to be the final school to have received the Mary MacKillop Cross which was touring the eastern states in the lead-up to the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop in Rome.
The Mary MacKillop Cross pilgrimage, organised by the Knights of the Southern Cross, had visited many schools and parishes around Australia on its journey to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
The knights made the cross in honour of Mary’s canonisation from timber from the first schoolhouse she opened at Penola, South Australia.
Mary MacKillop also took the name “Mary of the Cross” because she felt that it was in Jesus Christ and his Cross that redemption and entry into eternal life were to be found.
During the school celebration Josephite Sister Joan Burke, a former student of St Joseph’s, addressed the whole school community, which included families and friends of the school.
She spoke of her fond memories of the school and the meaning and importance Mary MacKillop had been to her during her life.
Following her inspirational talk students, staff and parents were given an opportunity to place their hand on the cross and say a quiet prayer.
Assistant principal for religious education Craig Gibson said it had been a wonderful opportunity provided by the Knights of the Southern Cross who were escorting the cross on its pilgrimage.
“The children were able to see and feel a fantastic relic of St Mary MacKillop,” he said.
He said the visit also gave other Sisters of St Joseph, families, grandparents and parishioners an opportunity to view and touch the “wonderful symbol of Australia’s first saint”.
