Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Central Coast

15/10/2026

Loads and loads of fresh food for another amazing function with us 😍

07/10/2026

Today we pause to remember Father Julian Tenison Woods on the anniversary of his death, 7 October 1889. A man of extraordinary vision whose legacy continues to inspire the Josephite mission to this day.

01/10/2026

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God goes with you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Most blokes don't get a day to stop. Career pressure, family demands, mortgage, kids, ageing parents – and underneath it, a restlessness or a loneliness you don't really talk about. It piles up fast, and it's easy to let your faith get buried under all of it.

Men's Retreat is a new one-day retreat at our Baulkham Hills centre, led by Nehme Khattar – Head of Mission at Catholic Healthcare, father, sports lover and straight talker. Straight-talking input, honest reflection and small group conversation, with no pressure to share. Practical spirituality and prayer you can actually use on Monday.

For men 25–50 who've been asking why life feels harder than it used to, how to carry it all without losing yourself, and where God fits into any of it.

📅 Saturday 17 October 2026

🕘 9:30am – 3:30pm

📍 Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Baulkham Hills

💛 $198 incl. GST – morning tea and lunch provided

Book now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ieLmOLXNdk-FaUfTgqP7W-aArKEERZZIqW8HbkXqj0FUNFlFRk5CVk00U05SVkRCRzlBQk5ZTUZPRi4u

24/09/2026

Ever caught yourself asking any of these questions?

Why does life feel harder than I expected?
Why can't I figure things out on my own?
How do I keep my past from hurting my future?
Where is God in all of this?

Release, Restore, Reclaim is a weekend for exactly that. Guided by Anne Slingo, you'll work through a structured 12-step process to:
- Release the weight you've been carrying,
- Restore your understanding of who God is, and
- Reclaim a life shaped by healing rather than your past.

You'll come away with your pressures named and brought into the light, a repeatable process for letting go, practical centring prayer, 1–2 concrete decisions to carry home, and new connections with people finding their own way back to God.

Learn more: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01p22k0

13/09/2026

14 September marks the Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, one of the oldest feasts in the Christian calendar.

It is a day that invites us to look again at the cross, not as a symbol of defeat or suffering alone, but as the sign of God's greatest act of love. In the cross, death was not the end but the beginning. What looked like failure became the source of all hope.

For Christians, the cross is never simply a historical event. It is the lens through which we see everything, our struggles, our losses, our moments of darkness, all of them held within a love that conquered death itself.

Today we venerate the cross and give thanks for the mystery at the heart of our faith.

12/09/2026

This Sunday, 13 September, the Catholic Church in Australia observes Safeguarding Sunday.

It is a day to pray for those who have been harmed in Church settings, to acknowledge the failures of the past, and to recommit to making our communities the safest possible places for children and vulnerable people.

Safeguarding is not simply a policy or a procedure. It is a gospel value. It is the lived expression of our belief that every person carries the dignity of God, and that protecting the most vulnerable among us is not optional but essential.

At MMSM, we remain committed to creating safe, welcoming and respectful spaces for all who come through our doors.

11/09/2026

Today is R U OK? Day and World Su***de Prevention Day.

Three simple words can make a world of difference. Are you okay? It sounds small, but asking with genuine care and really listening to the answer can be the thing that changes someone's day, or even their life.

This year's theme is Changing the Narrative on Su***de, moving from silence and stigma toward openness, understanding and support. Because the more we talk about mental health, the less alone people feel when they're struggling.

Today we encourage everyone in our community to reach out to someone they haven't heard from in a while. A colleague, a friend, a family member. Ask the question, listen without judgement, and remind them that help is available.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours a day.

***dePreventionDay

09/09/2026

Filling fast - 4 spaces left!
Slow down, listen inward and rediscover your gifts.
Poetry, gentle movement, meditation, music, and space to simply be.
Facilitated by Vicki Hancock.

📅 25–27 September | 📍 Central Coast | 💛 $550, includes all meals and accommodation.

Learn more and register to secure your spot: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01mlSY0

This will be a time for growth and transformation through developing understandings of and engaging in experiences for self-discovery. There …

08/09/2026

Adulting is hard...
Ever asked yourself any of these?

️✔️ How do I fit faith into a life that's already full?
✔️ Is spirituality only for church, or does it show up in daily life?
✔️ What does growing in faith actually look like at this age and stage?
✔️ Where do I even start?

Sunset Spirituality is a couple of hours with other young adults working through exactly that — guided by Donnie Velasco, with keynote input, group discussion and a panel conversation.

You'll walk away with a stronger sense of how life and faith connect, practical tools for everyday life, and a bit of connection with people in the same season as you.

📅 18 September, 6:15 pm arrival for a 6:30 pm start 📍 MMSM Norwest 💛 Donations welcome 👉 Register: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01m5Rf0

07/09/2026

Today, 8 September, marks International Literacy Day, now in its 60th year.

This year's theme, Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity, reminds us that the ability to read and write is not simply a skill. It is the foundation upon which dignity, opportunity and inclusion are built. Despite decades of progress, hundreds of millions of adults around the world still lack basic literacy skills, and two thirds of them are women.

For those of us in the Josephite tradition, this day resonates deeply. Mary MacKillop gave her life to ensuring that children, no matter their background or circumstance, had access to education. That work continues in spirit through everything we do.

06/09/2026

This week, 6–12 September, Australia observes National Child Protection Week, with this year's theme: Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action.

It's a reminder that protecting children is everyone's business, not just the responsibility of governments or institutions, but of every adult, every community, and every one of us. Conversations matter, but they are only the beginning. This year the focus is on moving beyond awareness and into meaningful action, strengthening the environments, relationships and support systems that help children feel safe, seen and valued.

As people of faith, we are called to stand as advocates for the most vulnerable. Mary MacKillop knew this well, dedicating her life to children who had been overlooked and forgotten.

05/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandfathers, godfathers and father figures celebrating today.

The role of a father is one of the most profound gifts a family can receive. Whether through quiet steadiness, gentle guidance, or simply showing up day after day, the love of a father shapes us in ways we often only fully understand as we grow older.

Today we also remember those whose fathers are no longer with them, and those for whom this day carries a mixture of joy and grief. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

To all the fathers in our community, thank you. We hope you feel celebrated today.

18/08/2026

Perfect time of year for a 2 day retreat

31/07/2026

23/07/2026

Looking at having your conferencing/ workplace event somewhere amazing that has all your requirements covered, great service as well as……..delicious food? Look no further.

22/07/2026

14/07/2026

Looking for a little winter break? Escape from the world and relax with us.
Single, twin, double or family options
Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Central Coast

05/07/2026

🖤❤️💛 NAIDOC Week begins this Sunday (5–12 July), starting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday.
A time to celebrate the world’s oldest continuing cultures, reflect on history, and walk together towards reconciliation.
This year’s theme: 50 Years of Deadly 🤝
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our centres stand, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

04/07/2026

NAIDOC Week begins this Sunday, 5 July, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday marking the start of the week. The week runs through to 12 July.
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the oldest continuing cultures in the world. This year's national theme is 50 Years of Deadly, honouring decades of strength, survival and resilience.
We'd encourage everyone across MMSM to take a moment this week to learn, reflect, and engage, whether that's reading more about the theme, attending a local NAIDOC event, or simply having a conversation with a colleague about its significance.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which each of our centres stand, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
If your centre has anything NAIDOC-related planned this week, we'd love to hear about it, feel free to share by emailing marketing.