AUSTRALIA : NEW DVD LAUNCH OF MACKILLOP CANONISATION

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
16 Mar 2012


Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop Philip Wilson,
Tim Fischer and Sr Anne Derwin
The events leading up to and including the Canonisation and the Thanksgiving Mass for Mary MacKillop have been captured in an official DVD which documents the coverage both in Australia and Rome.
A number of Sisters of St Joseph from Sydney as well as a representative from New Zealand and Peru gathered at MacKillop Place for the launch by the former Ambassador to the Holy See, Tim Fischer AC.
Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop Philip Wilson - President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - and Congregational Leader Sr Anne Derwin were also present.
The postulator for the Cause for Canonisation, Sr Maria Casey may have thought most of her work had been completed when Pope Benedict XV1 proclaimed Mary MacKillop a saint on17th October 2010 however another chapter had only just begun. That was the gathering of many hours of news footage from all over Australia and Rome to be re-formated and edited for an "official coverage" of the momentous event.

Sr Maria Casey
Tim Fischer, who is now retired, Cardinal Pell and Archbishop Wilson all spoke of their personal reflections of the canonisation along with what they thought it brought to all Australia.
The former ambassador and his staff were of particular assistance to the Mary MacKillop organising committee, not only providing hands-on help in Rome but helping with introductions and advice.
Sr Maria Casey also thanked Cardinal Pell for the on-going support of the Archdiocese and also the support of the ACBC through Archbishop Wilson.
"They were simply wonderful and backed this great event right from the start," Sr Maria said. "Many doors were opened for us however there were many other people and Sisters who contributed a great deal and although the names are too numerous to mention I want them to know we are also indebted to them."
The three and a half hour DVD is divided into seven Chapters. They are: Introduction; Announcement; Preparation; Canonisation; Thanksgiving Mass; Highlights and Extras.
Footage includes gatherings in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia for those who could not travel to Rome but came together for the Announcement of the date for the canonisation and the Canonisation itself in St Peter's Square. Many watched the coverage live on huge screens set up in the capital cities.

Sisters, friends and students gathered
for the launch of the Official DVD
Other footage shows some of the additional special events in Rome including performances by Australia Catholic University dancers and also actors and musicians.
The Thanksgiving Mass held the day after the canonisation at St Paul Outside the Walls is a particular moving Mass and as Tim Fischer said had "something very special, very warm and very Australian about it."
And of course there are numerous scenes with many Sisters and pilgrims celebrating the moment the Holy Father announced "St Mary of the Cross MacKillop".
The DVD will no doubt re-invigorate wonderful memories and for those who could not travel to Rome it will provide a new experience but edited in a "news coverage format" showing how both the Catholic and non-Catholic media recorded the event - a great deal from live coverage - it will also be an asset for the archives of Australia's first saint.

Congregational Leader Sr Anne Derwin
For information on the DVD and sales visit the Mary MacKillop Gift Store at http://www.marymackillopplace.org.au/store/ or email them at mmp.shop@sosj.org.au
The footage was generously provided by Channels, 7,9,10, Sky News and the ABC as well as Vatican Television and Catholic Communications.
The DVD was produced by Catholic Communications
SHARED FROM
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012316_1105.shtml

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