The death of Blessed Mary MacKillop’s on 8 August 1909 was a noteworthy event for the Australian Church at the time.

The secular press of the day recorded the extraordinary achievements of this remarkable woman:

“ By the death of Mother Mary of the Cross, at Saint Joseph’s Convent, North Sydney, on Sunday morning the Catholic Church in Australia lost one of its most unselfish workers, whose life was a continual endeavour to do good for her fellow men and women.“

“ As foundress and first Superioress of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, she was the primary moving force in establishing on a firm basis this institution, which has since grown to influence in strength and number.”

(Sydney Daily Telegraph, 11th Aug 1909)

The centenary of her death, 8 August 2009, will be a special occasion of gratitude for Australian priests when we reflect on the great number of priestly vocations nurtured by the Sisters of St Joseph.