Australia's first Saint

From Wikipedia

Blessed Mary MacKillop (15 January 1842 – 8 August 1909) was an Australian Roman Catholic nun who, together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.


Since her death she has attracted much veneration within Australia as a symbol of the strength of the early Catholic Church. She is the only Australian to be beatified (1995); on 19 December 2009 the Vatican announced the recognition of a second miracle attributed to her intercession. It is expected that her canonisation as a saint will occur in 2010. This would make her the first Australian saint. On 17 July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI prayed at her large tomb during his visit to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008.


Should MacKillop achieve sainthood, she will have the distinction of being the only saint ever to have been previously excommunicated from the Roman Catholic church.

Only this week Mary MacKillop made the team.
Only 2 more sleeps before the jolly fat man in the red suit slithers down the chimney………..