Mary Mackillop
Faced with the unexpected arrival of about 400 refugees in her town, I doubt she’d say “There goes the neighbourhood”.
She wouldn’t worry that the presence of asylum seekers would cause a dip in property prices, or complain that the kids (most of whom will be under five) will shoplift.
She wouldn’t argue that we should make male asylum seekers take the place of Australia’s own soldiers at war. And she wouldn’t say that we should demean refugees and make them suffer in order to deter more people from coming.
Continue reading "What would Mary do? Tips from a hometown hero" »
As I attended the celebrations for the canonisation of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Melbourne, there was a man shouting for the recognition of Ned Kelly as the real saint of Australia.
Though one could laugh this off, these cries (upon reflection) brought to light a stark contrast - between the narrative of the Catholic Church and the mythology of modern Australia.
Australians continue to venerate Ned Kelly as the exemplar of the Aussie battler whose rebelliousness, courage and egalitarianism supposedly characterise our history and identity.
Continue reading "Saint or sinner ... who makes a better Aussie icon?" »
Latest 2 of 31 comments
View all comments-
Baal says:
You mean the eureka stockade miners who brutally murdered a camp of chinese miners? Also it is an insult to the well trained and dedicated police of today to compare them to the rascist murderous corrupt thugs that used to protect squatters and politicians in a very lawless Australia. Read more »
-
Ben says:
I am not religious at all. But i would rather a religious icon be a “representive of australia” more than a criminal. And if Brer Fox is correct and Tracey Grimshaw has won awards for a current affair, then Australia is indeed losing its place in the world. Read more »
The canonization of Mary MacKillop is an event that all Australians can celebrate. Not just Catholics. Men and women of every faith and none can rejoice in the life of this extraordinary Australian.
A canonization is not the religious equivalent of winning an Olympic Gold Medal, although many, including some Catholics, speak as if it is. In an age of individualism, it is perhaps difficult to understand that Mary was motivated by a profound commitment to community and the common good.
Over the past few weeks, many claims have been made on Mary. She was a feminist before her time. She was a rebel against a clerical church. She was a pioneering social worker. She even has been claimed as a model for the independents in the Federal Parliament!
Continue reading "We can all celebrate Mary MacKillop’s canonisation" »
Latest 2 of 134 comments
View all comments-
LeanMachine says:
Little is known about the amazing work and accomplishments of Mary MacKillop in the Kapunda area, but this new book by historian and Kapunda resident Peter Swann, “Kapunda and the Mary MacKillop Connection” reveals all. Available from: http://www.leanmachine.net.au/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=84 at only $9.95 - a must for all interested in the outstanding… Read more »
-
Anne Stocks says:
cybacaT says… She sounds like an amazing lady whose example all Australians should draw inspiration from. I’m not Catholic, but can recognise the good works she has done. I feel sorry for the haters who have posted here - people whose venomous sneering exposes nothing but their own shortcomings. Thank… Read more »
An old friend once called me a ‘saint’, such was his lack of insight into my character. On another level, I knew what he was saying, because Christian believers are calling each other saints all the time.
Even the worst sinners call each other saints. It isn’t our inability to face reality; rather, it’s the way we interpret that word.
The impending canonisation of Mary MacKillop has brought the concept of sainthood into the contemporary spotlight, and it has to be admitted that it looks kind of strange.
Latest 2 of 69 comments
View all comments-
Glen says:
@ IMHO. 1) “there probably isn’t’ (a God). Where is the courage of your conviction son? Atheists can’t be unsure on this question and be an atheist. A post-modern worldview might allow you to back away from the classical definition of the word ‘atheism’, either that or you’re buying into… Read more »
-
Steely Dan says:
@ True Believer “That of course includes science.” Sensible people do, and sensible people find it to be the single most reliable methodology for testing claims. Unlike faith, which is accepting a claim regardless of lack of evidence, or evidence to the contrary. “How many thousands of time has that… Read more »
It took a couple of calls to get through to Sister Mary Ellen O’Donoghue, but when I listened to her phone message I knew it was going to be worth it.
“Sorry to be so late getting back to you Lucy,” she said, “But I can’t be in two places at once.”
A sister of St Josephs, the order of nuns established by Mary MacKillop in 1866 Sister Mary Ellen is also the CEO of not-for-profit organisation Good Grief and a terrific conversationalist.
Latest 2 of 27 comments
View all comments-
rkay says:
Sr Mary Ellen was my high school principal, and her answers in this article is exactly how i remember her. She is a wonderful person and a truly inspiration person to the ones in need and our community. Thank you for sharing this piece of work. Read more »
-
6clegs says:
“Gavin” - the thousands of abused innocent children didn’t deserve the catholic churches “scorn”, either. The Sister is at least an adult, one that has chosen to be there. You carry on sticking ya head in the sand if that’s what works for you. It won’t change the documented (modern)… Read more »
For as long as I can remember I have been asked how tall I am at least once every day. I can understand why. I am six foot seven inches tall, towering over most people.
My exact height is not the only thing I am regularly asked by complete strangers, they often ask whether my parents fed me Weetbix as a child (they did) and how the weather is ‘up there’ (it is invariably the same).
But something strange has been happening lately. For the first time in my life, questions relating to my height, its causes and its metrological consequences have been diminishing. A new line of enquiry dominates the minds of the people I meet.
Continue reading "How I found out I’m no relation to Mary MacKillop" »
Latest 2 of 11 comments
View all comments-
Valerie Greenough says:
Anna, I am trying to trace connections with Mary MacKillop and my family maybe through my husbands great grandparents Alexander MacDonnell and Christina McMaster, both from Inverness Scotland. Any info. would be appreciated. Valerie Greenough. Read more »
-
Anna says:
Haha, well I am “related” to her. Through my Mothers side - The McDonalds. Most people dont believe me so I’m thinking we should switch names? Read more »
I was raised a tyke in the 60s. The key role models who gave my life direction when I was young were strong men committed to the service of others: Brothers Dacian, Dionysius, Nicholas, Xavier, John (the Baptist), Ronald and Ernest at Marcellin College Randwick.
Cardinal Pell hopes the soon to be sainted Mary Mackillop can be a much needed role model for ordinary Australians today.
I value the lessons I was taught by the religious brothers, and admire the strength and legacy of Mackillop. But I think the average Australian needs different role models: men and women who have stayed faithful to their partner and who have raised their kids to be good citizens whilst coping with the all the challenges of working life.
Continue reading "Would it be too much to ask to have a saint with a family" »
Latest 2 of 22 comments
View all comments-
Lisa says:
For most people, a functional family is as close as is possible to get to God: God in action, in a way. But truly religious people see family as a kind of tribalism, ultimately, that must also give way for a broader serving of the people. I agree, though, that… Read more »
-
cats says:
I agree that role models need to be people we can relate to. They need to be all-rounder generous people who do not screw around other people, and who care about the environment and the animals we share the world with. I think that society needs to shun selfish, arrogant… Read more »
Forgive me Father for I’m about to sin. You see I’ve been having unpatriotic thoughts about the campaign to secure the canonisation of our own Mary Mackillop. I know, the shame has been weighing on me.
Nothing against Mother Mary - she’s a champion. It’s the campaign that’s bothering me. I fear she’s at risk of being exhumed from her resting place in North Sydney, and stuck into a green and gold tracksuit for a photo opportunity with the Prime Minister.
How exactly are we going to celebrate the impending decision of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican? Is Kevin Rudd going to declare: “Any boss who sacks a worker for going to Mass today is a bum!”
Continue reading "Go Macca, Go! Barracking for an Aussie saint" »
Latest 2 of 20 comments
View all comments-
Dalma says:
Following on the saga of MM’s canonisation which evidently will make headline news, and add mythical kudos to Kevin’s majestic aura, as well as put Catholics at the forefront of lesser Religions ! as if it really matters ? Fact is, it matters nought how many saints the CC (… Read more »
-
JESUS! says:
Dad"s really pissed off at present, not only has he had to put up with right’s nonsense on AGW, he’s now considering he should have given them brains, a bit late now old man. This would have been great from my point of view, less painful. I told him just… Read more »
One of the logical difficulties in being an atheist is the body of well-documented cases where individuals have used faith and prayer to defy the odds when science and reason suggested that all hope was truly lost.
Atheism holds that all religion is fantasy and that its adherents have deluded themselves into believing in the existence of an all-powerful being with whom you can communicate via prayer.
On paper it sounds absurd. The only difficulty is – and I write this as a non-believer – it sometimes seems to work. If I were Sophie Delezio’s Dad I would probably regard the fact that this poor little girl had been hit not once but twice by a car as an argument against the existence of an all-powerful, all-loving God. But for the Delezios, whose faith was already strong before these two crashes, their convictions were strengthened by their ordeal.
Continue reading "Sorry PM, who are we trying to canonise here?" »
Latest 2 of 26 comments
View all comments-
John says:
“...the body of well-documented cases where individuals have used faith and prayer to defy the odds when science and reason suggested all hope was lost.” Really? What a load of rubbish, please use some thought and reason before you write anything so stupid again. There have been several studies that… Read more »
-
B.wendt says:
The oldest trik in the spy game.tell the double agent what to tell the enemy so the enemy ends up with eggs on the face Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
How much fun is it retweeting people who can't spell?
In other Olympian news, Steph rice is advertising Sunrice Chinese style Mongolian chicken. Think about that for a tick
Oops, just trying to say thanks all four your follows and Hackett yarn feedback, especially the dude who called me an opinionated dipshit
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
Is there a nicotine patch strong enough for this?
Ok. I am not a leading expert in world’s best practice on prisoner rehabilitation — my experience…
A great win by Webber, but it sure as hell wasn’t sport
This morning I joined millions of other Australians in accelerating, braking, swearing and spilling coffee…
Fighting Assad one strongly worded statement at a time
This weekend’s massacre in Houla, Syria, is one of those stories that invites but doesn’t…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
Michael S says:
"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone
Change Up! says:
I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more
Latest 2 of 50 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment