Mary MacKillop Place

Experience an unforgettable evening of live liturgical music with Br Michael Herry FMS, one of Australia’s most beloved Catholic composers. This special event brings together his beautiful responsorial psalms, seasonal hymns, mass settings, liturgical chants, and a selection of inspiring music for young people,  all performed in the prayerful, reflective atmosphere of Mary MacKillop Place.

Guests can expect a night filled with uplifting sacred music, gentle moments of communal prayer, and the chance to hear Br Michael’s work brought to life in a way that is both deeply moving and spiritually nourishing. Whether you know his music well or are discovering it for the first time, this is an evening designed to help you pause, breathe, and reconnect with God through song.

Don’t miss this beautiful night of prayer and music – one you will enjoy, remember, and carry with you long after the final note.

We warmly invite you to join us on site at the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel for a time of guided prayer song and silence. Relax in meditation and silence for an hour of Taizé music and prayer.

Take a break in the middle of your week and join us for a special Midday Pause & Check‑In at The Oasis in honour of R U OK? Day.

Drop in any time to enjoy a calm, welcoming space designed for rest, creativity and gentle connection. Come on your own or with a friend and stay for ten minutes or settle in for longer.

There’s no program and no schedule. Simply arrive and make the space your own.

What to expect

On arrival, you’ll be welcomed with:

• Warm herbal tea on arrival
• Reflection and meditation resources
• Creative tools – paper, pens, colouring pencils
• Friendship‑bracelet station to make something for someone you care about

You’re welcome to chat, create, colour, journal, or simply enjoy a quiet moment away from the pace of the day. Peaceful spaces across the grounds will also be open if you prefer stillness and solitude.

There is no cost to participate.

Visiting Midday Pause & Check In

Enter through the archway gate on Mount Street (between 9 and 11 Mount Street, North Sydney) and follow the path to Alma Cottage, located in the centre of the grounds.

You’re welcome to arrive at any time during the session.

Whether you stay for ten minutes or your entire lunch break, Midday Pause & Check In is designed to give you space to pause, reflect and connect in a way that feels right for you.

Join The Oasis community to receive updates about upcoming Midday Pauses and other special experiences at Mary MacKillop Place.

Deepen your baptismal call, explore hope and connect with other young adults in a welcoming Catholic community.

Looking for a space to deepen your faith, meet other Catholic young adults and explore what it means to live out your baptismal call today?

Join us at Mary MacKillop Place for a time of reflection, conversation and connection, inspired by the spirituality and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Together, we’ll take time to pause, reflect on where God is present in our lives, explore the gift of hope and consider how our faith calls us to live with purpose in the world around us.

Whether you have a strong connection to the Catholic faith, feel inspired by Mary MacKillop, are curious about Josephite spirituality, or are simply looking for a welcoming community of young adults who are exploring faith and life together, you are warmly invited.

Come as you are. Bring your questions, your hopes and your faith and discover a community walking together in hope.

All ages welcome but this event has been created for young adults from the ages of 18 – 35 years.

We gather after Mass in the Chapel and move to the room for our gathering. If you arrive late, please speak with the Pastoral Care member in the Chapel who will direct you to our gathering location.

About the experience

The Oasis at Mary MacKillop Place is a growing collection of experiences designed to help people intentionally pause within the pace of everyday life.

As the first experience in this series, Midday Pause offers a free self-guided opportunity to unplug during the weekday and return to your tasks feeling calmer, clearer and more refreshed.

There’s no program to follow and nothing you need to achieve. Simply arrive, settle into the space, and spend time resting, reflecting or recharging in your own way.

What to expect

On arrival, you’ll be welcomed with:

• a warm herbal tea
• reflection and meditation resources
• simple creative and journaling tools such as paper, pens and colouring pencils

You’re also welcome to bring your own book, journal or lunch if you’re visiting during your break, or pick up something to eat from the Gift Shop & Café.

From there, you can settle into one of the quiet spaces across the grounds and spend time however feels right for you – reading, journaling, reflecting, sitting quietly, or simply taking a moment away from the pace of the day.

Visiting Midday Pause

Enter through the archway gate on Mount Street (between 9 and 11 Mount Street, North Sydney) and follow the path to Glen Roy Green, located in the centre of the grounds.

Midday Pause runs on selected dates each month from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.

Dates will be shared at least two weeks in advance and listed on our What’s On page. Join the Oasis community to receive updates via email.

You’re welcome to arrive at any time during the session.

Whether you stay for ten minutes or your entire lunch break, Midday Pause is designed to give you space to pause in a way that feels right for you.

Registrations are now open for the 2026 ‘In the Footsteps of Mary MacKillop’ National Pilgrimage, prepared by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

This 12-day pilgrimage offers unique insights into the history and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop.

The journey begins in East Melbourne, Victoria, on Tuesday 13 October 2026, and concludes at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, New South Wales, on Saturday 24 October 2026.

During the pilgrimage, you will visit many places associated with Mary MacKillop’s life and ministry across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, offering a unique perspective on her life, faith and legacy. This deeply personal experience invites reflection and revelation, while also offering the opportunity to journey alongside others – seeking, listening, reflecting and recognising the hand of God at work in our own lives.

The notion of going on pilgrimage is an ancient one, belonging to the spiritual traditions of many great faiths. Places of pilgrimage invite people to enter into the atmosphere and spiritual realities connected to their origins. Yet it is not only the destination that draws people deeper into the heart of their faith, but the journey itself.

Travel arrangements for the pilgrimage are managed by Harvest Journeys. Full tour details, including the itinerary and cost, can be viewed via the ‘Learn More’ and ‘Resources’ links below.

To book directly, please click the Book Now button.

As places on this pilgrimage are limited, early bookings are encouraged.