Reponses to the Footsteps of Mary Pilgrimage

 Maureen Clancy of Trinity Catholic College Goulburn said it was the highlight so far. She now feels very close to Mother Mary of the Cross. "It made me start to understand the strength, faithfulness and absolute trust in God for all her needs. The other thing that excites me about Mary’s story is the role of her Jewish friend, Joanna Barr-Smith. This was a woman who could trust Mary enough that Joanna could offer support to Mary and help her carry out her work."

***

The thing that continually strikes Colin Groves is the immensity of what simple people can achieve with the help of God. "She was a woman of her time, controversial. I cannot get over how this woman could have arrived with a box and a mission that we will soon celebrate as the Universal Church. The love that Mary saw for Jesus in the Eucharist was greater than the beauty she saw around her in Rome."

 ***

Caitlin Nye: MacKillop women are strong women as they persevere and achieve great things. As a relative of Mary MacKillop it is evident that her wisdom, bravery, courage and perseverance is shown throughout all MacKillop women.

***

For Shirley Topp the last few days have been filled with amazing spiritual experiences. "We followed the steps of Mary MacKillop today and with Sister Rita Malavisi rsj reading the thoughts of Mary MacKillop's journal, our lives have been transformed. My life will never be the same after hearing and reflecting on the journey of Mary MacKillop's life."

***

Mark has found keeping up with Mary MacKillop in Rome quite arduous; an experience giving us a small insight into her own difficulties while she was here. “The opportunities today to pray together on the walk has been the most rewarding on the Pilgrimage so far.”

***

Anne Marie Steinke: “The acts of simple kindness given and received along the way have left a mark that will forever remain in the heart. That by listening and caring for each other, we like Mary are called to be the human expression of God’s love in our world today.”

Charlotte with Fr Michael Kelly.