A conference to explore the influence of Mary MacKillop on Catholic social services
13, 14 October 2011
Mary MacKillop was a trail blazer in the development of services in Australia. Mary is now recognised as a Saint.
Those who gathered for this conference in Melbourne on 13, 14 October 2011 engaged more deeply with her life and the work that she inspired and explored her influence today and beyond.
Mary’s strengths were legion: innovation and ability to inspire others, organisational skills, ability to read the signs of the times, etc. Her faith, hope and love were exemplary, and all were required for her to make the contributions that she did, particularly in light of the ecclesiastical and other difficulties that she faced. Speakers and respondents picked up on these themes, and her better-known aphorisms – never see a need without doing something about it; there where you are you will see God, etc – as they reflected on the principles of preferential option for the poor, professionalism, formation of the heart that inspire and guide us today.
Key documents
Conference Program and overview report by Margaret Allen.
Information on Conference speakers and presenters
link to photos of conference, link to additional photos by Marita Elstone of MacKillop Family Services.
Addresses and Presentations
Keynote address by Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO 'What difference does it make to Catholic social services that Mary is now a saint?'
Sr Katrina Brill rsj "Mary MacKillop: Exploring her priorities, focus and resilience", text and slides
Sr Joan Healy rsj "Mary MacKillop and the Melbourne scene - from then 'til now", text and slides
Workshop papers
Fr Joe Caddy: Seeking out the marginalised. Notes
Dr Max Vodola: The implications of Australia's first saint - a theological perspective. Notes
Jamie Davies: International engagement - moving beyond boundaries. slides
Jenny Glare: Fulfilling the heritage - lessons learned and our obligations to former residents. notes, slides.
Panel discussion: The spirit and inspiration of Mary in practice
- Genevieve Exton, student: notes
- Alan Curtain, former resident, St Joseph's Children's Home: notes
- Julie Edwards, Jesuit Social Services: notes
Other papers to be added soon.
Queries, comments
Queries to: Denis Fitzgerald, tel (03) 9287 5569
