Walk and Talk - 15 May - 2-3pm wherever you are in the world

On their way to the Emmaus two people talked about all the bad news that seemed to have happened.
Their hopes seemed to have been dashed.
Yet as they walked and talked Jesus came to be with them.
He helped them to see their lives in a new way. The scriptures sprang to life and they rushed to share their joy.

On 15th May wherever you are in the world you can Walk and Talk as well between 2 and 3pm. How can you share hope with another and take action?

1. Find a friend to walk with
2. Register on walkandtalk.eventbrite.com
3. Walk and Talk on 15th May between 2pm and 3pm
4. Share the conversation, photos and videos on walkandtalk.org.au 

On Sunday 15th May at 2.00pm I am joining those around the globe who are going to Walk and Talk-City with a Soul http://walkandtalk.eventbrite.com/.
I like to walk and talk (!!!) so the concept sounded good to me.
If we come up with an action by the end of the walk that sounds fantastic too. Let's give it a go - let's join together and MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop says - We are all but pilgrims.

Mary of the Cross - Icon

It is a privilege to write an Icon.

Each time I start a new image it is hard work. It is a new challenge with all of its own issues.

Mary of the Cross, MacKillop

This is an icon of St Mary of the Cross which I completed in March 2011 for a school in Northern NSW.


I find prayer is a crucial element in its construction, gaining an understanding of the Saint and situation is invaluable.
When I prepare a scripture reading for our Sunday Liturgy I try to prise apart the words to find the message within. What is it that I need to understand for my life from the words of this passage? What is the essence of the message that I need to convey when I read the words?

Equally when writing an Icon. What does the Icon need to say? What is the essence of the saint being depicted?

When I looked at the photo of Mary of the Cross I see a spirit of joy and love. Her eyes speak of the compassion and love she has for Christ which she expressed through each person she encountered. I am sure St Mary showed that love and compassion to my great-great grandmother when she visited her on her sick bed.

St Mary's sayings give us an insight into her spirituality -

"Seek first the poorest and most neglected parts of God's vineyard."

"Let us humbly thank God alike for the trial and the blessing, for the bitter and the sweet."

St Joseph and Mary Mother of Jesus

 Writing an Icon has many bitter and sweet moments - as does life. Slowly I am beginning to understand that I need to slow down and not rush headlong into the painting of the Icon or into life.

Stopping and breathing is an essential part of seeing the whole picture and at the same time seeing the minute detail.



 St Mary of the Cross had a great love of St Joseph - 
"May St. Joseph shower many special graces upon each and every one of you."

Can I urge you to find St Joseph in your life just as Mary of the Cross found St Joseph.

He has always been a wonderful advocate and companion to me.

Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker - 1 May.

Mary of the Cross - Arrowtown New Zealand

Early in January my husband Geoff and I were very fortunate to visit Queenstown, New Zealand for 10 days. What a beautiful country. We were blessed to be able to visit Arrowtown which is about 15kms from Queenstown. Next to the church is a restored cottage which housed the Sisters who came to Arrowtown with Mary MacKillop in 1897.

Mother Mary of the Cross travelled from Melbourne to Bluff, at the insistance of Bishop Verdon, with three Sisters who were to teach in the Diocese of Dunedin. The Following are excerpts from a letter:

Arrived at Bluff at 5.00pm on Friday. Journeyed to Inverargill where we stayed the night. Next day caught the train to Kingston accompanied by Father Keenan. We stayed at a hotel in Kingston until 6.30pm when we caught the steamer to travel up Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown. Stayed the night in hotel accommodation and heard Mass in the Convent Chapel. On Monday we travelled to Arrowtown and were met by a number of men and women on horseback and nearer again by a number of buggies. The people cheered and cheered.

This little room is the school house. It is charming. On the roof are the ball marks which the children made as they played inside on the cold snowy days - bouncing balls which hit the roof and left their imprint - simply wonderful.

St Mary of the Cross we as you to pray for us and for this most beautiful country of New Zealand, particularly in its present time of trial.

Mary achieved so much with so little - with her God by her side

Pilgrimage reflection by

Cathy Moffitt

For me the pilgrim walk in the ‘footsteps of Mary’ was very special.  Listening to Sr Rita relay the thoughts and feelings of Mary as she arrived in Rome and faced the daily challenges of moving around a foreign city at a time of great tension between Church and Government. 

Here was a woman, religious, alone in a foreign country in 1873, not knowing a soul, often suffering ill health, determined to secure the Order with the protection of the Holy See.  

Her courage and determination, her trust in God is what I will carry with me always.  As we travelled around Rome (in an air conditioned bus with a tour guide) visiting many wonderful Cathedrals, Basilicas, the ‘best’ gelati shops and the odd souvenir shop it became more real and amazing that such a wonderful lady achieved so much with so little - with her God by her side.

Shirley's Reflection on the Pilgrimage

Sr Kathy, Shirley, Toots Nev and Lynn
This great photo was taken by Herbie O'Flynn

Here are some thoughts from Shirley Topp after reflecting on the Canonisation Pilgrimage to Rome-

“The pilgrims in our group were inspiring and motivational” 

 “There was always something going on - the time we had was used to the maximum” 

 “Personally for me it was something that I will remember forever.  Our moments of spirituality in the bus, while coming and going to events each day and the detail of Bishop Mark’s commentary as we went on our journey is etched in my memory. His spirituality and dedication were extraordinary and very inspiring to me personally”

 “Saint Mary has performed many little miracles for me. What a graced time we had in Rome."

Bishop Joe Grech a sad loss

The death of Bishop Joe Grech is such a great loss. He was a beautiful man, who has for many years been charged by the fire of the Holy Spirit and has had an enormous impact on many, many lives.

I caught up with Bishop Joe and Bishop Putney in the dining room after the Canonisation of St Mary of the Cross and asked them what impacted them at the ceremony -

Bishop Michael Putney  - I was waiting for the Pope to say Saint Mary MacKillop and he did when he was giving his English message at the end. He mentioned Australia for the first time and everybody cheered and screamed. That was the moment everybody was waiting for, to hear themselves named.

Bishop Joe Grech - It is good to see these terrific people, down to earth Australians with a big smile – ‘we have made it in the world’. Praise God, Amen

Bishop Joe Grech the main celebrant at Mass 6 May 2006 at Mary MacKillop Place North Sydney,this mass was offered for the Beaconsfield Miners in Tasmania and little Sophie Delezio.

Eternal Rest grant unto Bishop Joe Lord, may perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in your loving arms. Amen

Mark's Reflection

I asked fellow pilgrim Mark Oakly what his response to Sr Anne Derwent's question at the Thanksgiving Mass - how has this experience affected you?

"In relation to how I have become different from attending the Canonisation, it would be that, to use the concept from the Lectio Divina for this weekend, my 'God-shaped hole in my heart' has been enlarged by the experience so that I am aware it has happened (God has more room there) and I feel more confident in what I should be doing in my life and work.
The challenge is to keep it enlarging and not shrinking! 
I plan to keep the example of St Mary of the Cross before me, where it should be a great help."