Teachers learn more about Mary MacKillop’s life and spirituality

Teachers and parish staff had the opportunity to learn more about Mary MacKillop

On Tuesday 7 September, 45 Religious Education coordinators, teachers and parish representatives from across the Parramatta diocese participated in a session to learn more about Mary MacKillop and to share teaching and prayer resources.

The session was held at St Paul’s College, Greystanes and was organised by the Catholic Education Office’s adult religious coordinator, Cecilia Zammit and St Paul’s Religious Education coordinator, Carmen Cassar.

The highlight of the afternoon was a workshop run by Josephite Sister, Monica Cavanagh exploring the spirituality of Mary MacKillop.                                                       

As part of the session, Sr Monica facilitated a communal prayer experience in groups where individuals used a MacKillop ‘holding cross’, a small cross which is held in the palm of the hand during prayer. Groups also recited the Mary MacKillop Litany, a form of prayer used to implore Mary’s intercession and God’s protection before a particular moment of special significance.

Ursuline sister, Sr Patty Andrew also shared with the group ideas from her new resource, Canonisation and the Communion of the Saints, which was developed for use by schools in the lead up to the canonisation of Mary in October.

Commenting on the afternoon Cecilia said, ‘Sr Monica conveyed beautifully to us the love Mary MacKillop had for her fellow sisters, the clergy and the people she met, especially those on the margin.’

‘Everyone agreed that the afternoon provided a great learning and spiritual experience and the teachers and RECs are really keen to use these resources in their own schools and classrooms,’ she said.

Teaching resources are available on the Catholic Education website www.parra.catholic.edu.au

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