Roadshow promotes Mary MacKillop's legacy at Notre Dame

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 19-7-2011

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Saint Mary MacKillop’s famous saying: “never see a need without doing something about it” was the message of the Travelling Sisters Roadshow – Australian Disaster Recovery when it visited The University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus on Friday, July 15.

Leading the national Roadshow is Sister Julianne Murphy from the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. She was welcomed to the Notre Dame community during a special Mass followed by a morning tea with staff and students.

The Roadshow is funded by the Mary MacKillop Foundation. Its aim is to provide relief from suffering and give hope to others through small community-based projects. It was developed as a way of continuing the legacy of St Mary MacKillop after her canonisation on October 17, 2010.

As the idea of the Roadshow began to mature, the Australian mainland was hit with several natural disasters. This inspired the Sisters to enact St Mary MacKillop’s renowned ideology and raise funds for people in disaster affected areas across the country.

Since March, Sr Julianne has travelled more than 15,000km to spread the message of Australia’s first saint and the plight of Australians affected by the recent natural disasters to more than 15,000 students around Australia.

One of Sr Julianne’s favourite and symbolic activities to conduct when visiting schools is placing a student’s feet in another person’s shoes.

While doing this, she tells a story about that person – whether he or she was poor or marginalised in society – providing the students with an emotional connection to those people in need.

“We don’t just preach about St Mary MacKillop’s legacy, we live out her message,” Sr Julianne said.

“I have found that the personal stories bring out a profound sense of compassion in high school students and how fortunate they are to be given the best opportunities in life.”

Mrs Rommie Masarei, Executive Director of Admissions and Students Services at the Fremantle Campus, said it was inspirational to hear of the small life-changing projects the Mary MacKillop Foundation supported across Australia.

“Sr Julianne’s visit will continue to encourage us to ‘never see a need without doing something about it’,” Mrs Masarei said.

The University of Notre Dame Australia continues to celebrate and reflect on the life and works of St Mary MacKillop by promoting her legacy to staff and students.

Media Contact: Leigh Dawson (+61) 8 9433 0569, Mob (+61) 0405 441 093

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