St Mary at Murwillumbah NSW

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Icon at St Patrick's Murwillumbah NSW

In July I was able to visit Mount St Patrick's College, Murwillumbah NSW where an Icon of St Mary of the Cross which I wrote in March has been installed. It is in an alcove positioned in the walkway of the college.
The Icon is mounted on the beautiful red wood timber from the local area.
Principal Tony Daley took me around and showed me the rich history of the school. The surrounds of the college are absolutely beautiful, nestled in the shadow of Mt. Warning.

The picturesque township of Murwillumbah is located in the centre of the stunning Tweed Valley on the far north coast of New South Wales, just 15 minutes from the pristine beaches of the Tweed Coast, 30 minutes south of the Gold Coast and 40 minutes north of Byron Bay. Watched over by the awe inspiring majesty of Mt.Warning, and surrounded by 5 World Heritage National Parks, the countryside around Murwillumbah is a blend of rolling green hills and gently flowing rivers, punctuated with pockets of sugar cane, banana plantations, hobby farms and small village communities.



Mount St Patrick's College Murwillumbah NSW

Blessings on the Feast of St Mary of the Cross

Icon of St Mary of the Cross, St Benedict's Narrabundah ACT

On Monday I was able to go to St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra ACT and sit with the Icon of St Mary of the Cross on her first feast day.

I then went to St Benedict's Narrabundah, where a copy of the image is enthroned. When I arrived the church was quiet, several people were present and the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration. St Benedict’s is a Eucharistic Centre in Canberra. The parish is administered by the Missionaries of God's Love under the guidance of Fr Ken Barker. It has a very prayerful presence. It is a place of devotion, adoration, praise and peace.

As I gazed at the image of St Mary of the Cross the rope hanging from the stump attracted my attention. The rope breaks into the gold background. The gold is representative of heaven. The rope signifies the activities of St Mary - she travelled the country on horseback, buggy and boat. She broke into the poverty of people’s lives and brought hope - she broke into heaven by her love in action. She cared for the sick, the uneducated, the poor and destitute, she stepped out of her comfort zone and made a difference. It is not rocket science – but it does take courage, determination and TRUST. As Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water, we too are called to step out and keep our eyes fixed on Christ, trusting in him as we journey through the challenges of each day.

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne (Australia) in 1842 and died in Sydney on 8 August 1909. She took the religious name Mary of the Cross. Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, and for her abiding trust in God's providence. From the Text of the Mass for the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: first feast day, August 8th

As you all know today is the first official feast day of our Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We all recall the excitement of the canonisation in Rome a year ago. I was fortunate enough to be there and experience the unique blessing of the moment when the world recognised an Australian as a saint. Over the past year there has been much talk and excitement about Mary and who she really was. People have been interceding and saying we will do novenas to Mary for all sorts of people who are sick. Have they been answered?
You tell me? My question today is, what has Mary meant for you in these past 12 months? What has changed in your life because of Mary? I know some things have changed in my life. When I see the icon of Mary in St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra my spirit soars and I have a real connection to this woman, who walked on Australian soil.
I know many people who have told me they go into the Cathedral and talk to Mary as I do. She had a real connection with the poor, the sick, the orphans; she wanted to make a difference in people's lives and to lift them up from the lowly status they were in so they could be the people God wanted them to be.
So, again, what has Mary meant to you in the past year?
Please write a comment and tell me, so we can inspire other women to tell their stories. That is what Mary of the Cross would want.

Morning Prayer by Jacob Ashley

Footprints in the sand - at Surfers Paradise

A number of years ago my uncle-

Brother Baptist Will, a De La Salle Brother,

gave me this morning prayer -  it is quite beautiful.

Oh Lord

Help me today to realize that

you will be speaking to me,

Through the events of the day,

through people, through things and through all creation.

Give me the ears, eyes and heart to perceive You,

however veiled Your presence may be.

Give me the insight to see through the exterior of things to the interior truth.

Give me the spirit of discernment.

Oh Lord,

You know how busy I must be this day,

if I forget You Lord, do not forget me.

Jacob Ashley, 1579-1652

“Who am I to stand in God’s way?”

St Mary of the Cross, Feast Day 8th August - “who am I to stand in God’s way?”

Dear Children,

Mother Mary MacKillop is quoted as saying – “who am I to stand in God’s way?”. Her feast day in the 8^th August. The great feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Mary the Mother of God is the 15^th August. These two women are models for us; they listened to the still voice of God within and followed. 

Who do you know who has listened to the voice of God directing their lives and followed humbly the paths by which they have been led?

You and I can hear the voice of God speaking into our lives. God is love and to follow God is to love as he loved. 

The prophet Jeremiah 7:1-11 reminds us - How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God! When we live in the love of God we find peace and can be peacemakers in our world. God wants to dwell with us and in us. So children remember to speak to Jesus often, and spend time listening to hear his voice in your life – Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

God bless you

Sue

Inspiration from Thomas Merton

"Love winter when the plant says nothing" (Thomas Merton)

Icon of Our Lady of Tenderness



Icon Our Lady of Tenderness

Writing this image of Our Lady of Tenderness began in March when we first took possession of our  property in the country. We have enjoyed the "retreat" time that we have found as we escape the city.

I have discovered several aspects of this embrace of the Mother and Child that I had not noticed before.

The left arm of Christ it raised to the Father, in an attitude of praise, longing, love, reaching and sheer joy.

The right arm of Christ is around the neck of his mother. This speaks of  love, embrace, a need to be held, protected and cherished.

Do these gestures speak to us of the divinity and the humanity of Christ?

The Mother of God caresses the child and protects him with the strong gentle hand.

In an icon there is usually a place of the viewer to enter.  I feel the black area under the arm of Christ is the place I can enter into the embrace of the Mother and Child. I invite you to enter into the embrace and find the love of Christ and His Mother for you.