Archived Events
The Art of Icon Painting by Michael Galovic
8 May - 8 June 2010
This exhibition showcased the many facets of the art of icon painting and to demonstrate the rich heritage of this art form which originated in Europe since the Middle Ages. The exhibition demonstrated the craft and origins of icon making, through the artistry of Michael Galovic's artwork.
Michael Galovic is solely devoted to the practice of icon painting from traditional to contemporary in religious and non religious themes. The exhibition comprised of a collection of works for the first time in Sydney, representing the unique technique and execution required for the detailed painting of icon artworks
Michael Galovic's icons have been displayed in a number of churches in Australia and New Zealand. His commissions are largely for Catholic churches, institutions and schools, including the Sisters of St Joseph in Sydney.
Michael has produced beautiful iconic depictions of Mary MacKillop and we are thrilled to be able to show two recent commissions for this exhibition.
Michael Galovic's work has been represented in a number of group exhibitons including the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1993 and 2004.
Commissioned portrait of Mary MacKillop by Michael Galovic
The Sisters of St Joseph 2009
Wisdom Series Exhibition by Richard Campbell
9 December 2009 - 11 April 2010
We were pleased to show the Wisdom Series of paintings by Richard Campbell in the Reading Room at the Mary MacKillop Place Museum from 9 December 2009 to 9 April 2010.
Richard Campbell was a finalist in the 2007 Blake Prize for religious art and his designs were endorsed for World Youth Day merchandising for the event in Sydney in 2008. He is a passionate educator on the interconnection of Aboriginal spirituality through storytelling and mans relationship to God as understood in the Catholic faith. Asked what he desires indigenous and non indigenous people to experience when viewing his art, he reiterates:
'We all have a spiritual connection, we're all brothers and sisters, withthe animals, the trees, rivers and rocks, we all belong to one big God - call it Christ, we call it Birrigun, we are all one in God.'
The Wisdom Series on show connected visitors to the Christian story of Christmas, in this unique and beautifully executed indigenous interpretation we are celebrating Christ's birth and God's constant presence in this world.
Museum Open Weekend
15 & 16 August 2009
On the weekend of 15 & 16 August, several hundred visitors enjoyed the beautiful weather and festivities at the Musuem's Open Weekend. This was a great opportunity to discover a local secret in the heart of North Sydney and unravel the story of Mary MacKillop - Australia's first Saint.
Visitors explored the museum's story through the new interactive exhibition Mary Path to Sainthood on a guided tour as well as visiting historic Alma Cottage, Mary MacKillop's home from 1884 to 1909.
The roaming Peruvian musicians and Gramophone Man helped create a a wonderful atmosphere of celebration for visitors as they enjoyed Devonshire Tea and the sausage sizzle in the grounds.
Thank you to all our visitors, volunteers and staff for helping to make our Open Weekend one to remember!
Mary MacKillop
Centenary Feast Day Celebrations
8 August 2009
On Saturday 8 August, the Sisters of St Joseph welcomed everyone to celebrate Mary MacKillop's Centenary Feast Day celebrations in North Sydney.
A Centenary Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Pell at 11am at St Mary's Church in Miller Street, North Sydney and broadcast to North Sydney Oval.
Masses were also celebrated in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in the early morning and evening. The Chapel was open all day for visits to Mary MacKillop's Tomb.
Many visitors enjoyed a day of celebration and Josephite hospitality in the grounds of Mary MacKillop Place.
'Love Beyond Borders' Art Exhibition
2 - 16 August 2009
Blessed Mary MacKillop came to life through contemporary art as part of the Centenary celebrations, marking her death on 8 August, 1909.
This is an Australian nun, who knew how to light up a room when she walked into it with her infectious joy, compassion and respect for the dignity of all people. This exuberant and positive disposition, which characterised Mary, is captured in a bold, creative and enigmatic way in a new series of paintings by Veronika Dimac.
The canvases will graced the walls of the Schoolhouse at Mary MacKillop Place from 2 to 16 August. The theme for the exhibition was 'Love Beyond Borders.'
As a Catholic artist, Veronika Dimac said she asked the Holy Spirit, as the 'Master Artist', to provide creative inspiration for the exhibition. She also prayed for the intercession of Mary MacKillop to guide her strokes with the paintbrush. Veronika portrays Mary as a woman of faith who lived by the power of the Cross. Mary's heart was open to all who were in trouble and in need. Her charisma, joy, warmth, perseverance, courage, hope and compassion leap from the paintings in a powerful and intimate way. Indeed, Veronika insightfully captures Blessed Mary MacKillop as a teacher and role model for all Australians, in the same way that Pope John Paul II affirmed her exceptional personal qualities and deep love of humanity:
'Think of Mother Mary MacKillop and learn from her to be a gift of love and compassion to one another, for all Australians, and for the world.'
Pope John Paul II, 19 January 1995
Veronika is an Australian artist, residing in Melbourne, who has been painting for more than 30 years. This prestigious artist has exhibited in Europe and Australia. She produces her artwork under the umbrella of InJoy International. InJoy is run by two friends and colleagues - Veronika Dimac (Artist) and Diana Tominac (Director).
For more information visit www.injoyinternational.org.
Feast Day Celebrations - Friday 8 August 2008
Calligraphy Lecture
23 July 2009
As part of the Museum's Public Programs, a lecture on the Art of Calligraphy was presented by Heather Courtis in the Reading Room on 23 July 2009. The lecture also gave those attending an opportunity to view The Book of Heroes and Champions (featuring Mary MacKillop) produced by the Gold Coast Calligraphy Society.
Catholic Schools at a Crossroads
7 August 2007
The Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of NSW and the ACT, 'Catholic Schools at a Crossroads', was launched at Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel on 7 August 2007. The Liturgy of the Word was celebrated by the Bishop of Broken Bay, the Most Rev David Walker, with those enjaged in the mission of Catholic school educaiton in NSW and the ACT.
Sermon from the 2007 Feast Day of Blessed Mary MacKillop
Download a pdf copy of a sermon here by Graeme Malone ss read on Mary MacKillop's Feast Day, 8 August 2007 at Mary MacKillop Place.
Mary MacKillop's Feast Day 2007 - Katrina Brill rsj
Sr Katrina 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. She is a person who truly understands the everyday life of people, their struggles and their joys. She was a ‘battler’ herself with a ‘roll up your sleeves, get in and do what you can’ approach. She would, with her Sisters and others, take on impossible situations and work with the people concerned to improve their situation. With imagination and hard work they pioneered new ways of living and caring for each other in Australia and New Zealand. In many cases dignity and hope were restored or in sight for the people and children in miserable circumstances.
One of her great qualities was faithfulness in her relationships. She didn’t pull out when times got tough. As can happen in relationships she suffered misunderstandings, betrayal, exclusion and injustice. Mary always tried to stay connected and yet quietly and firmly put her trust in God and looked for opportunities to right the wrongs in a way that preserved the dignity of those involved.
The many letters that still exist show how she enjoyed the good times with her family especially talking and working with her mother and sisters, depending on her brothers for practical help and advice and grateful for the study and learning that she gained from her father. However, like all families it was a challenge to keep connected in the difficult times, when her father would suddenly follow “pipe-dreams” and leave the family very financially insecure and dependant on others. She suffered deep grief too when her mother was shipwrecked off the NSW coast on her way to help the Sisters in a bazaar in Sydney and when her younger brother died in New Zealand from an accident.
In some painful phases of her life as Leader or Assistant Leader of the Josephite Congregation she struggled to stay in relationship with those with whom she worked closely. This included her Co-Founder Fr Julian Tenison Woods, certain Bishops and priests, and groups of her own Sisters. She constantly spoke candidly and yet respectfully of these situations as she perceived it and tried to leave the door open for further communication. Mary was not always successful in bringing about reconciliation but she is a witness to faithfulness in being constantly open to the possibility.
This same faithfulness is obvious in her relationship with God. Mary MacKillop was known as Mother Mary of the Cross and it is obvious that when she was at her best Mother Mary lived from the centre of the Cross where the vertical beam representing the love and providence of God meets the horizontal beam of the human condition and calls forth in her a deep compassion. Of course she struggled like all of us and says in one letter when she was nearly ‘dead with tiredness’ and could not say any prayers she says but ‘God’s presence is everywhere and makes everything I do and everything I wish to do, a prayer’.
Recently, over 300 Youth and Young Adults representing their World Youth Day Groups from all around Australia received the World Youth Day Cross and Icon from the New Zealand delegation of Young people. It seemed highly fitting that the national pilgrimage of young people with the WYD Cross should begin its journey here, the Shrine of Australia’s only Beatified Saint.”
Journey of the WYD Cross & Icon is placed under the patronage of Blessed Mary MacKillop
With the arrival fo the WYD Cross and Icon on Australian soil on 1 July 2007, Australia's year-long national journey of prayerful preparation towards the celebration of World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008, commenced.
A delegation of young pilgrims from New Zealand brought the WYD Cross and Icon to Sydney for an international handover to a delegation of young Australian WYD08 pilgrims in the presence of religious and and civic leaders.
The Cross and Icon travelled from the airport to Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel for a special event during which, in the presence of invited guests, the Journey of the Cross and Icon throughout Australia was placed under the patronage of Blessed Mary MacKillop.
The Cross and Icon were then taken across the Harbour Bridge to Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour where WYD08 presented and exciting festival program as part of the welcoming celebrations. The celebrations included the first live performance of the World Youth Day song 'Receive the Power' sung by Guy Sebastian and Paulini. All young people and families were invited to this celebration.
The national welcome day concluded with a 6pm Mass at St Mary's Cathedral.