"I was struggling to teach my children at home..."
June 5, 2025Discover how Mary MacKillop Today’s Parents Training Program in Timor-Leste empowers parents like Beatriz to support their children’s learning at home.
Timor-Leste news
Transforming lives through the power of education
March 11, 2025Thanks to generous supporters like you, we raised over $150,000 for our annual Christmas appeal which was a fantastic result. We really are so grateful for your kindness and compassion.
30 years since the Josephite Sisters began working in Timor-Leste
September 4, 2024Inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop’s mission to reach the margins, the Sisters of St Joseph have continued Mary’s legacy through courageous faith, deep compassion, and a steadfast belief in the power of education through their work in Timor-Leste.
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Webinar: 30 years since the Josephite Sisters began working in Timor-Leste
September 4, 2024Inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop’s mission to reach the margins, the Sisters of St Joseph have continued Mary’s legacy through courageous faith, deep compassion, and a steadfast belief in the power of education through their work in Timor-Leste.
"Now I no longer feel heavy, because I have been trained"
June 12, 2024In Timor-Leste, school enrolment has seen a tremendous increase, but the quality of education is still lacking.
Lucinda has been inspired - she wants to be just like her teacher!
March 4, 2024There’s nothing quite like hearing a child talk about what they want to be when they grow up.
"I feel like I am starting a new life in a good way"
March 4, 2024The economic disadvantage starts early on in life, particularly for those living in remote and rural communities, where many girls miss out on opportunities to go to school and get an education.
January 11, 2024We are reaching out to thank you for your tremendous support over many years and to share an important update regarding our project supporting women artisans in Peru through Fair Trade.
Special note from a courageous and inspiring grandmother
November 16, 2023Can you imagine waiting almost 50 years for your opportunity to learn to read and write? This is the experience of Herminia – an inspiring widowed mother of six children and grandmother of thirteen.
Towards best practice in sustainability
September 4, 2023This Partner Learning Forum focused on the theme of ‘Towards Best Practice in Sustainability.’
Government partnerships paving the way in Timor-Leste
March 9, 2023The impact of having good partnerships means that the community can receive consistent information from both Mary MacKillop Today and the government.
Programs working with wonderful partnerships
March 9, 2023Our partners ‘on the ground’ provide us with vital local knowledge to strengthen our programs.
"I owe the Timorese people my father's life"
September 8, 2022We recently spoke with one of our supporters, Mary Haire. She told us the incredible story of her father, Jerry Haire, who served in Timor Leste in 1942.
Tetun storybooks bridging the gap for Timorese children
March 1, 2022Our Tetun Literacy and Teacher Training Project in Timor-Leste is improving educational outcomes for children in remote and rural areas and revitalising the native Tetun language.
Empowering parents to support children's education - Timor-Leste
September 9, 2021Education is a pathway out of poverty and key to restoring dignity through self-determination. Many parents wish to see their children accessing the education they need for a bright future.
Livelihoods to set up families for the future - Timor-Leste
September 9, 2021Building a successful livelihood is key for people to break free from the cycle of poverty and realise their dignity through self-determination.
Training Teachers with skills for lifelong learning in Timor Leste
March 17, 2021Timor Leste will celebrate 18 years of independence this May. We remember the humble beginnings of the work of the Sisters of St Joseph who walked alongside the Timorese throughout the years of the Indonesian occupation and after the 1999 post-referendum violence.
Dear Friends and Supporters of Mary MacKillop Today
September 1, 2020A message from our CEO to share an update about the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and why we are focusing on our guiding principle, Women at the Heart, right now. It has certainly been an eventful year so far and I know many of you have been heavily impacted by the disruptions of […]
Celebrating 10 years since the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop
September 1, 2020This year is the 10-year anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Mary of the Cross, Australia’s first Saint. At Mary MacKillop Today, we are reflecting on the qualities and actions that set Mary apart, and how her legacy continues to be relevant today. Mary MacKillop was an ordinary woman with an extraordinary dream and a […]
Why I decided to include Mary MacKillop Today in my Will
September 1, 2020Now aged in her eighties, Leonie shared how she came to support Mary MacKillop Today many years ago by witnessing the wonderful work of her sister, Joan, who is a Sister of St Joseph.
Silvia and our Women’s Livelihoods Project
September 1, 2020Silvia is a wonderful example of a success story with our Women’s Livelihoods Project in Timor-Leste – thanks to your generosity!
Celebrating Mary on her Feast Day
August 7, 2020At Mary MacKillop Today, we are reflecting this Feast Day on the qualities and actions that set Mary apart, and how her legacy continues to be relevant today.
Keeping Mary MacKillop's spirit alive
May 27, 2020I have recently been appointed as the Chairperson of Mary MacKillop today and am keen to try and emulate the remarkable work undertaken by our former Chair…
Keeping kids healthy in Timor during COVID-19
May 1, 2020Many teachers and community leaders in Timor-Leste are currently not equipped to educate children and their families on basic health and hygiene practices…
COVID-19: Maintaining the legacy of Mary MacKillop
March 20, 2020We here at Mary MacKillop Today are continuing our important work. I’d like to share with you what we are doing in response to COVID-19 to continue to serve those most in need;
January 28, 2020As the new CEO of Mary MacKillop Today, I aspire to work diligently, with pride and enthusiasm, alongside our dedicated staff, in serving our vital mission in a way that emulates and honours the legacy and spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop…
You’ve made Julio a happy dad!
January 28, 2020Mary MacKillop Today relies on your support to make a difference in the lives of parents in Timor-Leste, where many are not able to be involved in their children’s education.
January 28, 2020You might remember in our last newsletter we introduced you to an inspiring young man called Benjamin and we wanted to share with you a wonderful update!
Introducing our new CEO- Jane Woolford!
January 10, 2020Mary MacKillop Today has announced the appointment of Jane Woolford as our new CEO, commencing 28 January 2020. Jane joins Mary Mackillop Today with a wealth of experience gained in the international and Australian not-for-profit sectors
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BenJAMin's jams - transforming lives one jar at a time!
November 13, 2019benJAMin’s Strawberry & Vanilla jams & East Timorese BBQ Sassate sauce are now available at Harris Farm Markets in Lindfield, Cammeray, Mosman, St Ives and Willoughby from Saturday 16 November & proceeds will go to Timor-Leste..
September 3, 2019Dear Friends and Supporter,
Firstly, thank you for your kindness and support throughout what was an exciting first financial year as Mary MacKillop Today! You make it possible to lift vulnerable communities out of poverty through empowering opportunities – and I am so grateful for that.
September 3, 2019As a ten year old boy Benjamin asked his mum to make jam to support his immense love of all things fruity and sweet. He also wanted to support children in Timor-Leste who don’t enjoy the same educational opportunities that he and his brothers have here in Australia
February 5, 2019Clara is a dedicated teacher in Fatuberliu, Timor-Leste. Married and with a young son her goal is to teach and guide her students as if they were her own child. Clara recently completed Mary MacKillop Today’s Health Literacy training
February 5, 2019It was on the 19th March 1866, the Feast of St Joseph that Mary MacKillop wore her simple black dress to Mass, made her commitment, and so began the order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph
Welcome to the first edition of Mary's News Today!
September 25, 2018Here we can share stories with you about the work you are making possible – both in Australia and overseas. In this edition you’ll see we have heart-warming stories from near and afar.
September 25, 2018Having a valid Will is important to help protect the future of your loved ones. After considering your family’s needs, choosing to leave a lasting legacy to Mary MacKillop Today will allow our life-changing work to continue for years to come
Celebrating new beginnings at our office blessing!
September 25, 2018Thank you to those who joined us for the Office Blessing at our new space in North Sydney on 17th July. It was great to be able to meet many of our supporters and to have some of our amazing Mary MacKillop Today Scholarship recipients attend.
Say hello to Iza in Timor-Leste!
September 25, 2018Mary MacKillop Today’s Mobile Learning Centre (MLC) operates in and around Dili in Timor-Leste. Many challenges exist for children to access quality education, with many schools and pre-schools outside of the capital lacking basic resourc
We need your opinion - can you help us?
September 25, 2018I’m writing to you as one of our wonderful supporters because I value your opinion and would like to hear your feedback about what you think of Mary MacKillop Today and why our work is important to you.
Saint Mary MacKillop's Feast Day 2018
August 8, 2018This Feast Day, we’re celebrating the vision of Australia’s first Saint and of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, being realised.
August 8, 2018I believe at the heart of it, that is what Mary MacKillop was trying to achieve… for children to be free, to express themselves, to grow, to learn, to be inspired. To live life fully with a sense of optimism and nurturing.
Subsidiarity and Development in Timor-Leste
July 27, 2018Mary MacKillop Today’s Timorese staff have trained thousands of teachers, approximately 15 per cent of the entire teaching population, on how to deliver the national curriculum using innovation and creativity.
Fostering a love of learning in Timor-Leste
July 5, 2018It’s been three years in the planning but finally it’s all coming together. In mid July, eight Year 11 students from St Joseph’s East Gosford will be flying into Timor-Leste to participate in the Mary MacKillop Today immersion.
Mary's courage alive in Timor-Leste
July 3, 2018This is an important reminder of what communities and individuals can achieve when empowered to make their own decisions.
July 2, 2018I watched yesterday as the new sign was lifted and hung outside our office in Dili, Timor-Leste.
Empowering parents to help their children learn!
May 10, 2018Children in poor communities are facing barriers to education…in their own homes. You can equip and empower their parents to help them.
Education ... helping families learn together
February 5, 2018In Timor-Leste, many parents never had the opportunity to attend school themselves and now struggle to play an active role in their children’s learning and development at home.
February 5, 2018On 1 July 2018, Mary MacKillop International will join with the Mary MacKillop Foundation and the Josephite Foundation to form a powerful single ministry: Mary MacKillop Today.
Health ... teaching skills that saves lives
February 5, 2018In Timor-Leste, MMI recently supported the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education for a Global Hand-Washing Day event that was held on October 18, 2017.
Dear friends and supporters of MMI
February 5, 2018Welcome to the February 2018 edition of Mary’s World. This will be an exciting year at MMI. There are hundreds of teachers in Timor-Leste who we plan to train and hundreds of women in Peru we will help to earn an income…and so much more!
Christmas Wishes from Timor-Leste!
December 22, 2017The MMI staff of TImor-Leste would like to convey our Happy Christmas and New Year for all of our supporters. We wish the new year brings a happiness and prosperity for all in the year coming.
November 9, 2017Every year 1.4 million children do not live to celebrate their 5th birthday. Watch the video of our Health Literacy Program in Timor-Leste…
Dear friends and supporters of MMI
September 20, 2017Welcome to the September 2017 edition of Mary’s World. In a world fraught with violence, oppression and suffering it can often be hard to find hope. Thanks to your support we can continue the legacy of Mary MacKillop and that brings great hope.
Education... empowering future leaders
September 20, 2017In Peru, MMI, in partnership with the Centro de Educacion, Organizacion y Promocion del Desarrollo, trains teachers and involves students in an effort to promote safe environments for children, both in their schools and in their homes.
Health... creating brighter possibilities
September 20, 2017In Papua New Guinea nearly one million children and adults with disability lack access to proper support services. One of MMI’s on the ground partnerships is with Callan Vanimo Special Resource Centre (Callan Services) that seeks to address this imbalance.
September 5, 2017Here at MMI we are very excited about our planned merger with the Josephite Foundation and the Mary MacKillop Foundation in July next year.
An Outstanding debt... by Mary Haire
August 16, 201775 years ago my father Jerry Haire was fighting for his life on Timor Leste. Outnumbered by the Japanese, he and around 300 commandos of the 2/2 Australian Independent Company had refused to surrender.
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Celebrating bold action on IWD!
March 7, 2017This International Women’s Day, MMI would like you to get to know Maria Pereira, who, through the empowerment of education has boldly made positive transformations in both her own and her children’s lives.
Pray with us on World Day of Prayer!
March 2, 2017World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christians of all traditions who come together each year on the first Friday of March to observe a common time of prayer to which all people are welcome.
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Education... the opportunity for a lifetime
February 8, 2017Education has power; it’s more than learning to read and write, it has the ability to transform lives by giving individuals the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute positively to society.
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Dear Friends and supporters of MMI
February 8, 2017Welcome to the February 2017 edition of Mary’s World. Last year Pope Francis called all people of goodwill to “live fully, to choose to leave a mark.
From us to you - a Christmas wish
December 19, 2016As Country director of MMI I would like to convey my great gratitude of your generous support to us. You have tirelessly committed to help our Timorese people and special thanks to the Mobile Learning Centre donors.
A wonderful celebration of music, faith & community!
December 15, 2016Sydney Sings with Amelia Farrugia was a wonderful celebration of music, faith and community on Saturday 10thDecember. So many people from the local Blessed Sacrament community and quite a number from a-far enjoyed the strength and beauty of Amelia Farrugia alongside her beautiful students.
Sydney Sings - In Concert Saturday December 10th
December 6, 2016This Saturday, highly acclaimed Australian Opera Singer, Amelia Farrugia will be showcasing students from her school – Sydney Sings at a very special concert in support of MMI’s Music-for-Life program run through our Mobile Learning Centre.
Making an Impact... Educating Timor-Leste
October 18, 2016Some 20 years since the Sisters of St Joseph were invited to help the people of Timor-Leste in Tetun literacy, MMI’s dedicated local staff work at the grass- roots to empower whole communities by training teachers in the most remote and underserviced regions of the country.
