I have just arrived home from spending the morning at the Mary MacKillop Centre in North Sydney (signing some books) which is in a prime location near the heart of the North Sydney shopping centre. I was able to take a leisurely tour of the complex and although in the middle of a built-up area the centre is quite vast, yet serene and calm.

The Mary MacKillop Museum was particularly interesting and portrays the life of Blessed Mary MacKillop(1842-1909), soon to be Australia’s first saint, on screen and aided by photos, letters and memorabilia from Mary’s time.

The sisters run a well stocked bookstore which sells not only books but postcards, knick-knacks and souvenirs. It is a warm and cosy place as it is set inside a coffee shop/cafe which makes it almost too easy to while away some time – the sisters make a mean cappucchino! Maybe this is the reason a constant stream of people wandered in and out.

For visitors to Sydney (or for Sydneysiders wanting to enjoy a well priced week-end close to the city) I can well recommend the sister’s guesthouse – Anderledy Lodge. The rooms are fresh, well furnished, ensuite, absolutely convent clean and close to restaurants, cafes and shops. Visitors can overnight here quite cheaply and have all meals if they wish. The money raised from this venture goes to the Mary MacKillop Foundation, through which the sisters proudly help ‘those without choices, without hope, without a voice – wherever the need may be.’ Every penny spent here is put towards helping those in need.

‘Til next time…..