Welcome to the MacKillop Centre

Mary MacKillop devoted her life to education and service to others. Now, her name will live on at Blackfriars.

The school’s refurbished Middle Years classroom block has been dedicated to Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and named the MacKillop Centre. An official dedication was held today, coinciding with Blackfriars’ Opening Mass and Ash Wednesday

“You’ll notice in the new MacKillop Centre that there is a lot of glass,” Principal David Ruggiero said at the dedication ceremony.

“And that glass is real symbol, a metaphor, of letting light in. Light in the times of darkness … not to be afraid to let the light in, to shine when there is darkness and to live in truth.”

Along with distinguished guests, including Prior Provincial Father Dominic Murphy OP who performed the dedication, several member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the order founded by St Mary MacKillop, attended today’s ceremony.

Among them was Sister Brigette Sipa.

Sr Brigette is the CentreWest regional leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, responsible for almost 130 Josephite Sisters living and ministering in South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Timor Leste. She is also a Commissioner on the SA Commission for Catholic Schools.

“As I reflected on the life of St Mary MacKillop, I noted the similarities between her values and the values held here at Blackfriars,” said Sr Brigette, a former teacher, deputy principal and principal at a number of Adelaide schools.

“Mary strongly believed in the opportunities that education brings and that learning is for life.

“Mary was also about community. She was about creating a world … that wherever she went, wherever she walked, it would be a better place. Knowing her purpose, she never faltered to believe in herself.

“So, I hope you take this opportunity to learn a little more of her story, to get to know this amazing, ordinary woman as someone to look up to; someone who can inspire you in your life.

“I invite you to live your life, your truth, extraordinarily well, by being the best person you can be.”

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Mary MacKillop became Australia’s first saint when she was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 19 January 1995.

During her life, St Mary MacKillop’s order established schools and charitable organisations across Australia and was devoted to the care of orphans, neglected children, the homeless, sick and aged.

Last year, Pope Francis called St Mary MacKillop “an extraordinary religious sister”.

“Mary MacKillop was convinced that the purpose of education is the integral development of the person, both as an individual and as a member of the community, and that this requires wisdom, patience and charity on the part of every teacher,” Pope Francis said.