Saint Mary made an extraordinary difference to the young people in her care providing Catholic education to young people in isolated parts of Australia that lifted many from poverty. She was a courageous and principled leader, being an early example of someone who spoke up about and reported sexual child abuse by clergy of the time and paid a hefty political price for it. On Tuesday 5 August, we join communities throughout Australia in prayers of thanksgiving and intercession:
St. Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our requests. We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust, and openness. Ever generous God, hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen