By Emilie Ng
BRISBANE archdiocese’s love for Australia’s “beacon of hope”, St Mary of the Cross, grew stronger at the annual Feast Day Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral on August 8.
Almost 1000 Catholics packed the cathedral to remember the woman declared Australia’s first saint.
Before concluding the Mass, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge made special mention to staff from Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Acacia Ridge, who organised a whole-school trip to thank the saintly woman who helped form the foundations for their school.
The Sisters of St Joseph opened the school in 1954, but Brisbane Catholic Education took over its administration in the early 2000s.
However, the school continues to live in the spirit of St Mary of the Cross and the community travelled to Brisbane city to honour the Australian saint.
Josephite regional leader for the TransPacific region Sister Annette Arnold said Mary MacKillop would have had “the biggest smile on her face” seeing children associated with her sisters.
A former teacher at Our Lady of Fatima primary school, Sr Arnold said the school’s presence confirmed Mary MacKillop’s dream to have education for all children.
Sr Arnold said St Mary of the Cross’ “trust in providence” was a “good shot in the arm” for those who worry.
“She shows us to the way, a way of living the Gospel and to really trust in God,” Sr Arnold said.
St Stephen’s Cathedral dean Fr David Pascoe said the annual feast Day Mass was firstly “a great celebration for our patron” but it also honored ministries “in the mission of the Church”.
Fr Pascoe said Mary MacKillop was “a strong woman with a deep faith and trust in God”.
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