Portrait of saint unveiled at Port Chalmers church

Celebrating the unveiling of a portrait of St Mary MacKillop at St Mary Star of the Sea church at...
Celebrating the unveiling of a portrait of St Mary MacKillop at St Mary Star of the Sea church at the weekend are (from left) Virginia Perry, artist Margaret-Ann Howard, daughter Kirstin Howard, researcher Carol Meikle and Graham Bain. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The unveiling of a painting of St Mary MacKillop, depicting her time in Port Chalmers in the late 19th century, is the culmination of a 10-year project.

Artist Margaret-Ann Howard painted the image for researcher Carol Meikle, who has been studying the life of Mother Mary MacKillop, of the Sisters of St Joseph, who was canonised a saint in 2010.

Entitled "St Mary MacKillop at Port Chalmers", the artwork has been framed in wood from the rented house where MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph lived in 1898, and was unveiled at St Mary Star of the Sea Church on Saturday.

Mrs Meikle said the history of Mary MacKillop was fascinating, and the painting’s depiction of her in her role as a teacher of children, and among the first sisters of St Joseph in New Zealand, was very special.

Founded by MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the movement of St Joseph’s Catholic Schools spread throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Mother MacKillop was accompanying a group of three sisters on their way to Port Chalmers to found the Sisters of St Joseph there, and went with them to Arrowtown on the way.

On arrival at Port Chalmers in early 1898 the sisters were guests of Mr and Mrs O’Halloran until their own cottage was furnished for them.

"It is wonderful to have this painting of St Mary MacKillop here with us - it will help to keep her spirit alive among the community," she said.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz

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