Saturday, August 28, 2010
Guess who's singing in Rome?
An 'ordinary' saint inspires song of love
By: Selina Venier
Inspired by saint: Mary Fletcher has drawn great inspiration from Blessed Mary MacKillop
SO inspired by Blessed Mary MacKillop, whose feast is today (August 8), Brisbane's Mary Fletcher responded musically.
"Music has always been a very big part of my life," the drama and music specialist at Mary MacKillop College, Nundah, said.
"When I first began teaching at (the then) Corpus Christi College I was asked by a Sister of St Joseph if I could possibly write a song about Mary MacKillop.
"(She hoped it) could be sung by the girls attending this Josephite school.
"As I did the reading and research ... I became more and more inspired and awe-struck by the story of this incredible pioneering woman.
"My spirit was moved."
The result of that inspiration was A Woman for Our Time, a song Mary said "describes the love Mother Mary had for her people and the passion with which she fought for the rights of the poor and for justice".
It was "aired", she said, with the backing of The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and "became almost an anthem for the Josephite order and its schools in Australia and New Zealand".
That beginning heralded nine other songs related to Blessed Mary's "values and charism".
Stanthorpe-born Mary, one of four siblings, said her upbringing was testament to such outcomes today.
"I was very lucky to be born into a family where faith and prayer were always important and shaped so much of who I am today," Mary said.
"Both sets of grandparents were musically gifted as is my mother - a talented pianist who has worked for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music for the past twenty-five years."
Mary began piano lessons at age six with the Sisters of Mercy, soon progressing to the violin.
"I learnt some hard lessons from them (the sisters) but am so grateful for the persistent dedicated push they gave me to achieve my best in the field of music," she said.
"Achieving well" musically, this "early dedication to music" prepared her for the future.
"When I was fifteen I decided that I wanted to branch out musically," Mary said.
"I saved up to buy my first guitar and taught myself to play.
"I never looked back as this instrument led me into writing my own music."
As such, Mary has been "heavily involved in the folk scene" performing solo and with a band at festivals and events "all around the country".
She's also taught at St Joseph's College, Toowoomba, and All Hallows' School, Brisbane.
"Music is very important to me in my chosen career as a teacher," Mary said.
"I am a drama teacher but have always involved myself heavily in the music area of schools in which I have taught.
"My particular interest in music has expressed itself in writing and singing songs relating to issues of social justice and I'm particularly interested in composing songs for youth."
That platform led to the "eCCCos singing group" at Mary MacKillop College.
"I formed the eCCCos group in the 1990s together with (Josephite) Sister Patricia Boman," Mary said.
"(It was) a small singing group that would concentrate on singing justice material and songs relating to MacKillop values.
"It would also be a group to foster self-esteem and self-confidence in girls - especially those who could be 'at risk'.
"The main aim for the group is to 'give joy' through music.
"(And) along the way various staff members have also joined.
"It is a true 'community' group."
eCCCos members, accompanied by Mary, were at a parliamentary reception for Catholic Education Week at the Francis Rush Centre on July 27.
They have also performed at Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney, and Brisbane City Hall, while their compositions are known from Nundah to "the Andes in Peru (and) to the Highlands of Scotland", Mary said.
As well as taking part in the college's activities for today's feast day Mary is "really excited" about the October 17 canonisation in Rome.
"We are talking about an incredible Australian woman who isn't this 'inaccessible' saint that we've seen depicted in Christian art from a medieval age who lived in another world, another land," Mary said.
"Here is a woman that we actually have photos of and letters and things that belonged to her.
"She was a woman who inhabited and lived in and walked in the same places that we might go or have been in our own country, even here in Queensland.
"She was an 'ordinary' woman who achieved 'extraordinary' things.
"Mary MacKillop saw goodness, saw God in all of us and I think she would say 'there's a saint in all of us', too."
By: Selina Venier
Inspired by saint: Mary Fletcher has drawn great inspiration from Blessed Mary MacKillop
SO inspired by Blessed Mary MacKillop, whose feast is today (August 8), Brisbane's Mary Fletcher responded musically.
"Music has always been a very big part of my life," the drama and music specialist at Mary MacKillop College, Nundah, said.
"When I first began teaching at (the then) Corpus Christi College I was asked by a Sister of St Joseph if I could possibly write a song about Mary MacKillop.
"(She hoped it) could be sung by the girls attending this Josephite school.
"As I did the reading and research ... I became more and more inspired and awe-struck by the story of this incredible pioneering woman.
"My spirit was moved."
The result of that inspiration was A Woman for Our Time, a song Mary said "describes the love Mother Mary had for her people and the passion with which she fought for the rights of the poor and for justice".
It was "aired", she said, with the backing of The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and "became almost an anthem for the Josephite order and its schools in Australia and New Zealand".
That beginning heralded nine other songs related to Blessed Mary's "values and charism".
Stanthorpe-born Mary, one of four siblings, said her upbringing was testament to such outcomes today.
"I was very lucky to be born into a family where faith and prayer were always important and shaped so much of who I am today," Mary said.
"Both sets of grandparents were musically gifted as is my mother - a talented pianist who has worked for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music for the past twenty-five years."
Mary began piano lessons at age six with the Sisters of Mercy, soon progressing to the violin.
"I learnt some hard lessons from them (the sisters) but am so grateful for the persistent dedicated push they gave me to achieve my best in the field of music," she said.
"Achieving well" musically, this "early dedication to music" prepared her for the future.
"When I was fifteen I decided that I wanted to branch out musically," Mary said.
"I saved up to buy my first guitar and taught myself to play.
"I never looked back as this instrument led me into writing my own music."
As such, Mary has been "heavily involved in the folk scene" performing solo and with a band at festivals and events "all around the country".
She's also taught at St Joseph's College, Toowoomba, and All Hallows' School, Brisbane.
"Music is very important to me in my chosen career as a teacher," Mary said.
"I am a drama teacher but have always involved myself heavily in the music area of schools in which I have taught.
"My particular interest in music has expressed itself in writing and singing songs relating to issues of social justice and I'm particularly interested in composing songs for youth."
That platform led to the "eCCCos singing group" at Mary MacKillop College.
"I formed the eCCCos group in the 1990s together with (Josephite) Sister Patricia Boman," Mary said.
"(It was) a small singing group that would concentrate on singing justice material and songs relating to MacKillop values.
"It would also be a group to foster self-esteem and self-confidence in girls - especially those who could be 'at risk'.
"The main aim for the group is to 'give joy' through music.
"(And) along the way various staff members have also joined.
"It is a true 'community' group."
eCCCos members, accompanied by Mary, were at a parliamentary reception for Catholic Education Week at the Francis Rush Centre on July 27.
They have also performed at Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney, and Brisbane City Hall, while their compositions are known from Nundah to "the Andes in Peru (and) to the Highlands of Scotland", Mary said.
As well as taking part in the college's activities for today's feast day Mary is "really excited" about the October 17 canonisation in Rome.
"We are talking about an incredible Australian woman who isn't this 'inaccessible' saint that we've seen depicted in Christian art from a medieval age who lived in another world, another land," Mary said.
"Here is a woman that we actually have photos of and letters and things that belonged to her.
"She was a woman who inhabited and lived in and walked in the same places that we might go or have been in our own country, even here in Queensland.
"She was an 'ordinary' woman who achieved 'extraordinary' things.
"Mary MacKillop saw goodness, saw God in all of us and I think she would say 'there's a saint in all of us', too."
Friday, June 18, 2010
Date claimers
July 4 Hostel Mini Fete 10.15am.
July 4th Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm.
July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual. 2.30 pm Nudgee cemetery. (Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome).
July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College.
August 1 Discover Mary MacKillop’s’ Brisbane; Guided Pilgrimage $16 Leaving Nundah 1.30pm. Phone 0732661300 to book.
There will be a novena in preparation for feast day and a four week reflection sheet in preparation “A Glimpse into the life of Mary MacKillop.”
August 4 An evening with Mary MacKillop by David Burke, journalist and writer. Presented by JAN Inc at Mary MacKillop College Nundah.
August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall.
August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)
August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College. Contact 0732661300 for further information.
September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont).
October 17 Canonisation Event; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm.
Film Night "Soul of the Sunburnt Country" and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College September 10th. Gold coin entry fee
July 4th Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm.
July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual. 2.30 pm Nudgee cemetery. (Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome).
July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College.
August 1 Discover Mary MacKillop’s’ Brisbane; Guided Pilgrimage $16 Leaving Nundah 1.30pm. Phone 0732661300 to book.
There will be a novena in preparation for feast day and a four week reflection sheet in preparation “A Glimpse into the life of Mary MacKillop.”
August 4 An evening with Mary MacKillop by David Burke, journalist and writer. Presented by JAN Inc at Mary MacKillop College Nundah.
August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall.
August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)
August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College. Contact 0732661300 for further information.
September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont).
October 17 Canonisation Event; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm.
Film Night "Soul of the Sunburnt Country" and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College September 10th. Gold coin entry fee
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Dates to remember
Some dates that Sister Margaret has forwarded:
June 20 90 Years Celebration – Annerley
July 4 Hostel Mini Fete 10.15am
July 4 Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm
July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual (Time to be decided)( Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome)
July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College
August 1 Brisbane Pilgrimage (Time to be decided)
August 4 MacKillop Memorial Lecture, Mary MacKillop College, Presented by JAN Inc
August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in Parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall
August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)
August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College
September 10th Film Night “Soul of the Sunburnt Country” and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College
September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont)
October 17 “Canonisation Event‘; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm
June 20 90 Years Celebration – Annerley
July 4 Hostel Mini Fete 10.15am
July 4 Afternoon tea for Sisters of Saint Joseph and for those who have shared our vowed life as postulants, novices or vowed members, St Joseph‘s Nundah 2.30pm
July 5 Nudgee Cemetery Ritual (Time to be decided)( Family and friends of deceased Sisters welcome)
July 7-10 Pray 2010, Clairvaux MacKillop College
August 1 Brisbane Pilgrimage (Time to be decided)
August 4 MacKillop Memorial Lecture, Mary MacKillop College, Presented by JAN Inc
August 8 Mass for Mary MacKillop in Parishes this weekend 2:00pm Ritual St Joseph‘s Nundah and afternoon tea at Nolan Hall
August 18 Opening night of “At the Centre of Light” Twelfth Night Theatre, (2 week season)
August 27-29 “In the spirit of Mary MacKillop” Conference, Mary MacKillop College
September 10th Film Night “Soul of the Sunburnt Country” and other MM Films Presented by JAN Inc, at Mary MacKillop College
September 19-24 Pilgrimage in Rockhampton Diocese (Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah-Dysart- Middlemount, Clermont)
October 17 “Canonisation Event‘; St Stephen‘s Cathedral and Precinct – from 4.30pm. Canonisation viewing 6:00pm
Friday, December 11, 2009
News briefs
Australian Bishops Ready for Canonization of Mary MacKillop
ST AUGUSTINE’S College - $2 million primary building, the Mary MacKillop Centre.
Josephite book "compelling reading"
On Wednesday December 2nd ‘From Humble Beginnings’, the story of the Josephite Sisters in Victoria, was launched at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in East Melbourne by Josephine Cafagna. Josephine, the popular presenter of State Line, was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph in both primary and secondary school.
Guests, seated outdoors in front of the historic building, recalled 120 years of story. The book was launched from the veranda of the 1902 House of Providence designed by Mary MacKillop. Mary knew this area well; she was born ‘just around the corner’ in Brunswick Street Fitzroy.
The story of Mary MacKillop’s childhood, youth and young adulthood in the Colony is of course well known. The story of her return to central Victoria in 1890 accompanying three Sisters who were to set up the first St Joseph’s Convent in the Colony, and of her subsequent involvement in the rapid development of further openings in Victoria makes for compelling reading.
Mary and the Sisters arrived in Numurkah on January 12th 1890, in the blistering heat of a drought: day after day the temperature reached ‘more than 100 degrees in the shade’. Mary wrote, ‘…a humble beginning for a great work…’ A few weeks later Mother Bernard, then the Congregational Leader, accompanied three more Sisters to establish the second convent and school in Bacchus Marsh.
The world-wide depression of the 1890s had hit Melbourne particularly hard; land prices collapsed and the inner city was a place of destitution and despair. Though the first foundations were for rural schools, within months Archbishop Carr urged the Sisters to assist the newly founded Home for Destitute Children in rural Surrey Hills.
By May 21st 1890 the Sisters were at Surrey Hills, by 1893 the home was so overcrowded that children sometimes slept three to a bed; lacking chairs in the dining room they ate meals standing. The Sisters ate in a corrugated iron shed. Mary guided the home at Surrey Hills through its precarious beginnings: she travelled the countryside seeking donations for the needs of the children in the Home, while visiting children who were placed in foster care.
The Archbishop’s next request was for Sisters to work in the notorious neighbourhood of Little Lonsdale Street. He wrote, ‘Only by living in the area could much good be done.’ He feared that the Sisters would object, but Mary replied that this was ‘where the real work lies’. In October 1891 Mary, accompanied by Sister Gertrude Hayman, moved to 43-45 Latrobe Street. They set up a shelter for homeless young women and a night school for children; they managed a soup kitchen and distribution of food and clothing in the back yard. They called this venture, which once more depended completely on donations, St Joseph’s Providence. There were no grants or project funds; the Sisters prayed that God would provide for them through the generosity of Melbourne people.
Thus began the Victorian chapter of the Josephite story. The Sisters responded to Victorian need while the challenges of Victoria, particularly among the poorest people, shaped and re-shaped their spirit. The book traces the story of the Sisters through the decades: the World Wars and their aftermath, the Great Depression, the population growth in the western suburbs and the Latrobe Valley, the soldier settlement blocks, the influx of migrants to the schools and parishes, the contacts with Aboriginal Australians.
Jill Barnard, the author of this history, is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and of Master of Arts in Public History at Monash University; Jill has worked as a professional historian for almost 20 years. Her research has led her into varied areas of Victoria’s history and her published works include Welcome and Farewell: The Story of Station Pier with Sonia Jennings and Holding on to Hope: A History of the Founding Agencies of MacKillop Family Services co-authored with Karen Twigg.
The result is a hard covered book of 220 pages, historically rigorous, illustrated with more than 100 photographs, and attractively designed. During refreshments after the launch Jill signed copies of the book; some were sold boxed and ready for mailing, some were sold wrapped ready for Christmas giving.
Jill said, ‘It has been my aim in this history not only to coax out the Josephite spirit as it was expressed in Victoria but also to portray as far as possible the Sisters as individual women’.
See also FORMIDABLE WOMEN, HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
150th celebrations draw to a close
Time to thank Timorese: Bradbury
ST AUGUSTINE’S College - $2 million primary building, the Mary MacKillop Centre.
Josephite book "compelling reading"
On Wednesday December 2nd ‘From Humble Beginnings’, the story of the Josephite Sisters in Victoria, was launched at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in East Melbourne by Josephine Cafagna. Josephine, the popular presenter of State Line, was educated by the Sisters of St Joseph in both primary and secondary school.
Guests, seated outdoors in front of the historic building, recalled 120 years of story. The book was launched from the veranda of the 1902 House of Providence designed by Mary MacKillop. Mary knew this area well; she was born ‘just around the corner’ in Brunswick Street Fitzroy.
The story of Mary MacKillop’s childhood, youth and young adulthood in the Colony is of course well known. The story of her return to central Victoria in 1890 accompanying three Sisters who were to set up the first St Joseph’s Convent in the Colony, and of her subsequent involvement in the rapid development of further openings in Victoria makes for compelling reading.
Mary and the Sisters arrived in Numurkah on January 12th 1890, in the blistering heat of a drought: day after day the temperature reached ‘more than 100 degrees in the shade’. Mary wrote, ‘…a humble beginning for a great work…’ A few weeks later Mother Bernard, then the Congregational Leader, accompanied three more Sisters to establish the second convent and school in Bacchus Marsh.
The world-wide depression of the 1890s had hit Melbourne particularly hard; land prices collapsed and the inner city was a place of destitution and despair. Though the first foundations were for rural schools, within months Archbishop Carr urged the Sisters to assist the newly founded Home for Destitute Children in rural Surrey Hills.
By May 21st 1890 the Sisters were at Surrey Hills, by 1893 the home was so overcrowded that children sometimes slept three to a bed; lacking chairs in the dining room they ate meals standing. The Sisters ate in a corrugated iron shed. Mary guided the home at Surrey Hills through its precarious beginnings: she travelled the countryside seeking donations for the needs of the children in the Home, while visiting children who were placed in foster care.
The Archbishop’s next request was for Sisters to work in the notorious neighbourhood of Little Lonsdale Street. He wrote, ‘Only by living in the area could much good be done.’ He feared that the Sisters would object, but Mary replied that this was ‘where the real work lies’. In October 1891 Mary, accompanied by Sister Gertrude Hayman, moved to 43-45 Latrobe Street. They set up a shelter for homeless young women and a night school for children; they managed a soup kitchen and distribution of food and clothing in the back yard. They called this venture, which once more depended completely on donations, St Joseph’s Providence. There were no grants or project funds; the Sisters prayed that God would provide for them through the generosity of Melbourne people.
Thus began the Victorian chapter of the Josephite story. The Sisters responded to Victorian need while the challenges of Victoria, particularly among the poorest people, shaped and re-shaped their spirit. The book traces the story of the Sisters through the decades: the World Wars and their aftermath, the Great Depression, the population growth in the western suburbs and the Latrobe Valley, the soldier settlement blocks, the influx of migrants to the schools and parishes, the contacts with Aboriginal Australians.
Jill Barnard, the author of this history, is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and of Master of Arts in Public History at Monash University; Jill has worked as a professional historian for almost 20 years. Her research has led her into varied areas of Victoria’s history and her published works include Welcome and Farewell: The Story of Station Pier with Sonia Jennings and Holding on to Hope: A History of the Founding Agencies of MacKillop Family Services co-authored with Karen Twigg.
The result is a hard covered book of 220 pages, historically rigorous, illustrated with more than 100 photographs, and attractively designed. During refreshments after the launch Jill signed copies of the book; some were sold boxed and ready for mailing, some were sold wrapped ready for Christmas giving.
Jill said, ‘It has been my aim in this history not only to coax out the Josephite spirit as it was expressed in Victoria but also to portray as far as possible the Sisters as individual women’.
See also FORMIDABLE WOMEN, HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
150th celebrations draw to a close
Time to thank Timorese: Bradbury
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