Canonisation and Feast Day of Mary MacKillop Sunday October 17 th 2010

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1 Catholic Diocese of Sale, Victoria, Australia Mrs Sophy Morley Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator PO Box 103, Newborough Vic 3825 Ph Fax: Canonisation and Feast Day of Mary MacKillop Sunday October 17 th 2010 The celebration of Mary MacKillop s life calls us at this time to be people of hope in our broken and fragmented world. The celebration of her Canonisation and Feast Day challenges each Australian to know the God who is with us, to embrace with a compassionate heart those who travel the journey with us and to believe that each person can and does make a difference in our world. Sr Katrina Brill RSJ, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, says that, Mary s Feast Day provides all Australians with an opportunity to stop and reflect on the meaning of life. Mary MacKillop, an Australian by birth, stands out as one of our Australian heroes. Her life story embodies characteristics which are integral to the Australian identity: a sense of a fair go for everyone, her willingness to stand on the side of people who are vulnerable, her pioneering spirit and her ability to respect people from across all beliefs and cultures. Mary would look for the good in others and assist children and people to feel good about themselves. She avoided being judgmental and cynical no matter what the situation and tried always to be big hearted and be with the people in their struggles. Mary s innate goodness and her down to earth approach to life, her ability to bring hope and purpose in the midst of suffering, has given Australians a freedom to be spiritual. Mary is not a Saint to be admired from afar. She is a person who truly understands the everyday life of people, their struggles and their joys. She stands as a person who reflects to the Australian people the compassionate heart of God. Amongst her great qualities are her sense of integrity and kindness, her being loyal to friends and forgiving of enemies, her pragmatism in all areas as well as her genuine holiness. From The Review, Diocese of Rockhampton

2 Mass Texts for the Feast of Mary MacKillop On October 17th, together with the Australian Church and the global Catholic community, we celebrate the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia s first Saint. In recognition of this historic and significant event, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has determined that for 2010 only, the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop will be observed on 17 th October, displacing the 29 th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Propers for the Saint should be used on this Sunday at all Masses with the Readings being those set for the normal observance of the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop on 8th August. Words of Introduction Introductory Rites Today is a day of great rejoicing for the Catholic Church, especially in Australia, as we celebrate the canonisation of Australia s first saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne (Australia) in 1842 and died in Sydney on 8 August She took the religious name Mary of the Cross. Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny, and for her abiding trust in God's providence. The Church does not make a saint it recognises a saint. Canonisation is the act by which the Holy Father declares in a definitive and solemn way that a Catholic Christian is actually in the glory of heaven, intercedes for us before the Lord and is to be publicly venerated by the whole Church. Canonisation is a double statement about the life of the person and also about the faith of the people who are alive at this moment. They are as much a part of the canonisation as the person who is being recognised. Today we give praise and thanks to God for the inspirational witness of Mary MacKillop. As a down-to-earth, compassionate and courageous woman, she continues to be a shining example of goodness for all Australians. Today we also give thanks for the life and work of the many Sisters of St Joseph who have ministered in schools, parishes and hospital, particularly in our own Diocese and who continue to serve the mission of Jesus in our world. Entrance Antiphon Come, you whom my Father has blessed, says the Lord: I was ill and you comforted me. I tell you, anything you did for one of my brothers or sisters, you did for me. Opening Prayer Holy God, source of all goodness, you show us in Mary MacKillop a woman of faith who lived by the power of the cross. Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

3 Amen. Liturgy of the Word First Reading A reading from the book of Judith (8:11-17, 28-31) Hearing how the water shortage had demoralised the people, Judith summoned the elders of the town and said: Listen to me, leaders of the people of Bethulia. You were wrong to speak to the people as you did today and to bind yourself by oath, in defiance of God, to surrender the town to our enemies if the Lord did not come to your help within a set number of days. Who are you, to put God to the test today, you, of all people, to set yourselves above him? You put the Lord Almighty to the test! You do not understand anything, and never will. If you cannot sound the depths of the human heart or unravel the arguments of the human mind, how can you fathom the God who made all things, or sound his mind or unravel his purposes? No, brothers, do not provoke the anger of the Lord our God. Although it may not be his will to help us within the next five days, he has the power to protect us for as many days as he pleases, just as he has the power to destroy us before our enemies. But you have no right to demand guarantees where the designs of the Lord our God are concerned. For God is not to be threatened as a human being is, nor is he, like a mere human, to be cajoled. Rather, as we wait patiently for him to save, let us plead with him to help us. He will hear our voice if such is his good pleasure. Uzziah replied, Everything you have just said comes from an honest heart and no one will contradict a word of it. Not that today is the first time your wisdom has been displayed, from your earliest years all the people have known how shrewd you are and of how sound a heart. But, parched with thirst, the people forced us to act as we had promised them and to bind ourselves by an inviolable oath. You are a devout woman; pray to the Lord then, to send us a downpour to fill our storage-wells, so that our faintness may pass. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Responsorial Psalm (Ps 31: 1-5, 7-8) Into your hands, O Lord, I entrust my spirit. In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, hear me and speedily rescue me. (R) Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name s sake, lead me and guide me. (R) Release me from the snares they have hidden for you are my refuge, Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. (R) O God of truth, you detest those who worship false and empty gods. As for me, I trust in the Lord; let me be glad and rejoice in your love. (R)

4 Second Reading A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians (3:12-17) As the chosen of God, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against another. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, put on love, the perfect bond. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful. Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and whatever you say or do, let it be in the name of the Lord Jesus, in thanksgiving to God the Father through him. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God Gospel Acclamation (Matthew 27:55) Alleluia, alleluia! Many women were there by the cross, watching from a distance, the same women who had followed Jesus and looked after him. Alleluia! Gospel A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (6:25-34) Glory to you, Lord I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. Surely life is more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, however much you worry, add one single cubit to your span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin: yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the wild flowers growing in the field which are there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you have so little faith? So do not worry; do not say, What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear? It is the gentiles who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on God s saving justice, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. The Gospel of the Lord!

5 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Homily Notes Prepared by David Orr OSB Images from the Scriptures Life is more than food Why worry? God s saving justice giving hope to a demoralised people Holy people Comments: The Lectionary readings pose questions for us: Where should we invest energy in our life? What is our commitment to ensure that God s saving justice is implemented in our days? Do we recognise the depression within our society and what do we offer in response to it? Do we recognise our being God s holy people and we do choose to share that with others? Mary MacKillop s life certainly offers us great inspiration in response to these questions: She looked beyond the apparent failures around her and could take up life trusting her God. She recognised God s gift in each one she met and tried to respond appropriately. Her energy for God s kingdom inspired others to share her dream. She sat at the feed of Christ s word and drank at the fountain of wisdom to teach and advise others. She could recognise whatever came her way as the gift of God and continued to grow in gratitude. Mary of the Cross was not weighed down by the burdens of life but could recognise God s plan and could take her part with energy and trust. Prayer: Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land. Amen. Prayers of Intercession More prayers: Select petitions from the following: We pray for ourselves, that, like Mary MacKillop, we may have the courage to set out on new pathways and embrace new ways of living the Gospel to bring the Good News of Christ to the people of Australia today. (pause) Lord, hear us. * Mary and her sisters offered special care to destitute women and children. We pray that the poor and needy will continue to be the focus of our prayer and support. (pause) Lord, hear us. * We pray for all who work to implement justice and peace for their people and stand firm in the face of power, tyranny and oppression. (pause) Lord, hear us. *

6 We pray that government and community leaders in this country may seek to bring about true unity and equity for all citizens of this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. (pause) Lord, hear us. * Mary MacKillop lived her baptismal commitment in founding a Congregation for mission. We pray that women will continue to take up the vocation of serving others as members of religious orders. (pause) Lord, hear us. * We pray that world leaders address the dangers to the Earth s climate and lead us in processes which prevent and repair the pollution of the planet. (pause) Lord, hear us. * We pray for young people, that in their search for happiness they will listen to the voice of Jesus calling them to follow him. (pause) Lord, hear us. * We give thanks for the legacy of Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph in Australia and New Zealand, and particularly in our Diocese and parishes. We pray that for God s grace and blessing on the Sisters so that they may faithfully follow Jesus in serving others. (pause) Lord, hear us. # We pray for staff in our Catholic schools that they may be inspired by the charism and vision of Mary MacKillop in making Catholic education accessible to all children. (pause) Lord, hear us. # We pray for our communities of faith: that we may be inspired and encouraged by Mary MacKillop to strive for justice and so that we may never see a need without doing something about it. (pause) Lord, hear us. # *Prayers prepared by the Liturgical Commission, Brisbane #Prayers prepared by the Diocesan Pastoral Office, Diocese of Sale. Liturgy of the Eucharist Prayer over the Gifts In your loving providence, O God, you gather us at your holy altar on this feast of Mary MacKillop. May the praise and thanksgiving we offer with her and all your Church strengthen our bonds of charity and faith. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Preface of Holy Men and Women II Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. You renew the Church in every age by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of your unchanging love. They inspire us by their heroic lives, and help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of your saving power. We praise you, Lord, with all the angels and saints in their song of joy: Communion Antiphon By the love you have for one another, says the Lord,

7 everyone will know that you are my disciples. Prayer after Communion Bountiful God, may the sacrifice we celebrate on this feast of Mary MacKillop strengthen us to walk the way of the cross and bring us to the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Solemn Blessing Through the example of Mary MacKillop, may you learn to recognise God's will for you and trust in God's providence. Amen. May her life of service awaken in you a deep respect for the poor and a passion for justice. Amen. May you share in her courage, see with her vision, and love with her heart. Amen. May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Concluding Rites Music Suggestions With any special liturgical occasion it is important to balance new hymns which have been chosen specifically for the feast day with hymns that are already well-known to the worshipping assembly. Consider using one or two hymns that are in honour of Mary MacKillop together with a gathering hymn or communion hymn that people already know and sing well. As always, try to sing the parts of the Mass using a festive Mass setting that is usually sung in your parish. There are suggested settings for the Responsorial Psalm (a sung response can be done with spoken verses if singing the entire psalm is not possible) Sing the Gospel Acclamation Go to the Mary MacKillop website to download suggestions and selected free sheet music GA Gather Australia G Gather (USA) CWB Catholic Worship Book AOV As One Voice (Volumes 1 & 2) SS Spirit & Song Responsorial Psalms Psalm of the Day Ps 31 (32) Into Your Hands, O Lord: Colin Smith cfc

8 Responsorial Psalms: Sundays, Holy Days, Special Occasions In You O Lord I Take Refuge: Joseph Gelineau Forty One Grail/Gelineau Psalms, GIA, Ritual Song Common Psalm for Ordinary Time Ps 102 (103) Bless the Lord: Christopher Willcock (adapted from Psalms for Feasts and Seasons) For free sheet music go to the Mary MacKillop website: Click here: Other settings (with different refrains): The Lord is Kind and Merciful: various composers. Versions available in GA 61; CWB 350, 351, 459; AOV 2-66, SS 77; Hymns From Penola s Plains by Michael Herry & Geoffrey Cox Free sheet music and audio from This is a stately hymn with well crafted text. The music is the well known Jupiter theme from the Planets by Gustav Holst. Good for a Recessional Hymn Woman for Today Tricia Walsh & Br Michael Herry ( Dare to Dream CD and Album) If I Could Tell the Love of God by Christopher Willcock/Noel Rowe 1995, published by Mary MacKillop Secretariat, Trustees of the Sisters of St Joseph. Free Sheet music from A reflective hymn for Mass or for prayer groups. In Love God Leads Us by Jenny O Brien and Christopher Willcock This hymn is based on the words of Mary MacKillop. The refrain acts as an ostinato (continuous chant) with verses sung by a cantor or small group. Mary MacKillop, Woman of Prayer Jenny O Brien (attached) Mary of the Cross Michael Mangan ( Sing Your Joy, Litmus Productions, Brisbane) Lord of Creation (GA/CWB) Lord of Earth and All Creation (GA 554) Christ Be Our Light (GA/AOV2) The Beatitudes by Peter Kearney (CWB/ GA 489) Open My Eyes Lord (AOV1) Where There is Charity and Love by Richard Connolly (GA 323/CWB) The Summons (GA) Lord, I Am Your Servant by Jane Mitchell (Ordinary People) In Joyful Hope by Jane Mitchell (Ordinary People) Rise Up! (Ordinary People) A Cross of Stars by Andrew Chinn (Wherever I Go) Bring Forth the Kingdom (GA/AOV2) Music Collections Never Hide Your Love: Songs Inspired by the Life of Mary MacKillop by Trish Watts and Monica O Brien. Willow Music. 3 Songs on CD and Music book. If I Could Tell the Love of God. 8 Songs composed for the Beatification of Mary MacKillop. Music by various composers including Christophger Willcock, Monica Brown and others. CD and Music book.

9 Mary MacKillop: Woman of Australia. A collection of 16 songs reflecting the life and times of Mary MacKillop. CD and Music book. Litany of Mary MacKillop: CD with Words by Therese McGarry RSJ, Monica Barlow RSJ. Music by Joseph Drzyzga. All the above music titles are available from the Mary MacKillop Gift Shop (P: (02) or the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre From Penola s Plains by Br Michael Herry fms. A Collection of 7 songs celebrating the life and legacy of Mary MacKillop. CD and Music book. From Marist Brothers Music, 1 Dawson St. Brunswick, VIC P: (03) Fax: (03) mherry@maristmelb.org.au Also available on itunes. For further information and free downloads visit: Wherever I Go by Andrew Chinn (Butterfly Music). A Cross of Stars celebrates and tells the story of Mary MacKillop. Suitable for primary aged children and parishes. Sing Your Joy by Michael Mangan (Litmus Productions). Mary of the Cross is suitable for primary school ages and up. Saint Mary MacKillop written by Gary Pinto, the co-composer of the WYD08 song Receive the Power. Free sheet music available. Audio available on itunes This song is suited more to group prayer than in a liturgical setting. The musical notation is quite high and unless transposed to a lower key, may be difficult to sing. In God and For God: The Spirituality of Mary MacKillop in songs and mantras by Jen Charadia. CD and Music book. (St Pauls) Additional Liturgical Texts & Prayers 1. Mass texts for Celebrations to be used at Places of Pilgrimage associated with Mary MacKillop Click here: 2. Mass texts and Prayer of the Church for Mary MacKillop s Feast Day Click here: 3. Mass of Thanksgiving Monday 18 th October Cardinal George Pell will celebrate Mass at St Pauls Outside the Walls in Rome the day after the Canonisation. Mass texts and hymns for Thanksgiving Masses for Monday 18 th October can be found here: 4. Vigil ceremonies for the Canonisation on 16 th October will be held in Rome. Parishes wishing to celebrate a vigil can access the ritual texts here: 5. Prayer of the Church 6. Novena of Prayer A special Novena of Prayer has been developed for use in parishes, schools, communities and small groups to assist people in their spiritual preparation for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop in October. It may be used in the nine days prior to canonisation or in any other appropriate way in preparation for this event. The nine reflections are based on themes related to Mary MacKillop's Life:

10 Mary MacKillop - Faithful Religious Woman Mary MacKillop - Advocate for the poor Mary MacKillop - Teacher and Educator Mary MacKillop - Model for Pilgrims seeking Christ Mary MacKillop - Living by the power of the Cross Mary MacKillop - A woman of the Church Mary MacKillop - Proclaiming the Gospel Mary MacKillop - With an openness to other faith traditions Mary MacKillop - Inspiring people to work for peace and justice 7. Praying with Mary MacKillop Prayers have been developed on the following themes: Woman of Compassion Woman Courage Woman of God Woman of Action Mary MacKillop - Prayers for Children by Sr Lyn Sparling RSJ 1. Loving God, We thank you for the gift of Mary MacKillop to our land, Australia. May the Church in the whole world come to know her holiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 2. Dear God, Mary MacKillop is an example for us as we learn to know God s voice in those around us. Through her, may we trust God more. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. 3. Dear God, We give you thanks that Mary MacKillop is to be recognized as a Saint, especially in our land Australia. May we follow in her footsteps as we learn to follow Jesus. We ask this in Your Name. Amen. 4. Loving God, Mary MacKillop spread the message of your love to all those she met. May we try to follow her example. We make our prayer through Jesus the Lord. Amen. 5. We give you praise O God for giving Mary MacKillop to our nation Australia. May we learn to know you like she did and follow you with courage. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 6. God our Father, Mary MacKillop showed great courage when things were difficult. Make us strong in this courage too. We make our prayer in Jesus name. Amen. 7. Loving God, Mary MacKillop loved our land Australia. Help us to always appreciate the good things we have in our country. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. 8. Dear God, You chose Mary MacKillop to do your work. Help us to know that can each make a difference wherever we are. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 9. Dear God, when Mary MacKillop was young, she saw that children in the bush had no-one to educate them. She became a Sister and took other Sisters to teach the children. May we appreciate the opportunities we have to learn many new things each day. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 10. Loving God, Mary MacKillop met and answered many difficult needs in her time. May we be ready to help those who experience difficulties in their lives. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

11 Words of Mary MacKillop Let us ask Joseph to obtain for us a generous devoted love for Jesus, a love that will make us like himself A love that, will make us delight in serving him in His Poor, and His neglected little ones, that will teach us patience with their faults, and how in loving charity to help them overcome them. And this love of Christ cannot exist in our hearts without enabling us to live in perfect charity and love. (to the Sisters March 19, 1893) The Cross is my portion it is also my sweet rest and support. I could not be happy without my cross I would not lay it down for all the world could give. With the Cross I am happy, but without it would be lost. (to her mother Feb 26, 1872) My only anxiety is that lest I should fail in any sorrow or humiliation He should put upon me. I cannot say with God s faithful servants that I love humiliations, but I know they are good for me, and if he sends them I hope I shall be grateful. I do want with all my heart to be what God wishes me to be. (December 1, 1898) Let us refuse nothing to God s love. He humbled Himself and suffered for us Let us be glad to show Him we are willing to suffer whatever he deigns to ask of us. (to the Sisters: September 18, 1906) Taken from the Liturgy for the Vigil of Canonisation