Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (6: 24-34) in which Jesus encourages his followers to seek the kingdom of God, saying, ‘do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’. Afterwards, Fr Paul shares a little about St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Australia’s first saint, whose feast we celebrate today.

Fr Paul says Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop was born in 1842 in Melbourne and was a pioneering figure in Catholic education and the founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

Mary dedicated her life to the education of the poor, particularly in rural areas, establishing numerous schools to provide both intellectual and spiritual formation to children regardless of their social status. Her commitment to education and social justice was driven by a deep faith and trust in God’s providence, which sustained her through various challenges, including opposition from Church authorities and personal hardships.

Mary MacKillop’s legacy is marked by her unwavering dedication to serving the marginalized and to her role as a model of holiness and perseverance, leading to her canonization in 2010 becoming Australia’s first saint.

Mary MacKillop’s life and work continue to inspire educators and those committed to social justice, reflecting her belief that education is a vital form of evangelization and a means to uplift the marginalized.

And so today, Fr Paul invites us to ask, ‘St Mary of the Cross MacKillop…Pray for us!’.