CATH NEWS REPORT: Screenshot from The Catholic Weekly
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The Sisters of St Joseph celebrated the first anniversary of the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, with congregational leader Sr Anne Derwin saying it was "somehow important to just reconnect with this time last year and the joy it brought to so many people", reports the Catholic Weekly.
"When we were deciding who to ask, we felt we couldn't go past (sculptor Judith Rolevink), as a woman and as a woman of South Australia," Sr Anne said.
A bronze statue of the saint was unveiled in front of the chapel at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney.
"Judith approaches her work from a very reflective and meditative point of view, and so entered into the heart and mind of Mary MacKillop in this work.
"She asked lots of questions, she deepened her knowledge, and she has given us a beautiful image of Mary."
Sisters of St Joseph travelled to Sydney from overseas to join locally-based Sisters, other religious, and guests for the anniversary Mass.
The congregation applauded and murmured their appreciation as the statue of Mary at the age of 42, the age she arrived in North Sydney, was revealed to the public for the first time.
"She was still in the prime of life and mission, and you can see that by her stepping forward," Sr Anne said.
Mary MacKillop Place director, Sr Brigette Sipa, said the statue is a fitting tribute to Mary.
"We wanted to do something special for the one year anniversary of Mary's canonisation in Rome and the unveiling of a beautiful new stature is a fitting way to mark the occasion." eir financial support of this project.
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