MacKillop - The Red House
“ Never see a need without doing something about it”
These words were spoken by Mary MacKillop, whose penetrating social conscience has provided the basis for the establishment of the MacKillop House at Mount St Joseph. MacKillop house was dutifully named after Mary.
Mary MacKillop was the dynamic foundress of the Australian Sisters of St Joseph who worked tirelessly in their respective communities to provide services, especially education to economically disadvantaged families. This is the underpinning value of the MacKillop house. That we, like Mary, work diligently to support those who are less fortunate than ourselves through such campaigns as the Winter Appeal, Christmas Appeal and Gold Coin donation days.
It is inevitable that at some point, students will feel overwhelmed and uncertain of their place as they enter their new High School community, just as Mary did when she was excommunicated in 1871. The MacKillop house will go to extreme lengths to welcome each and every girl and ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable within their new environment. There is a fantastic group of staff and student leaders on hand, who are more than willing to support and help each and every student in MacKillop no matter what the query or problem.
Mary was an egalitarian woman. She did not discriminate against anyone, regardless of their social or economic status. This value is present in all MacKillop girls. Every girl possesses unique gifts, but only together can we work towards the greater good.
The MacKillop house word is ’ACTION ‘ and just as Mary set up schools, charitable works and convents in the poorer regions of Australia, the MacKillop house aims to follow in her footsteps by never seeing a need without doing something about it.
“Work with constancy and courage. Bear your little trials with patience and love.” ( A letter to her Sisters in Adelaide, 1876 ).