“We are but travellers here”

3 Day Leaders retreat

Pilgrimage to Penola, Kensington and Adelaide in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop

The retreat is offered at no cost; however, accommodation is not included and is the responsibility of each attendee to arrange and fund for the Sunday 28 June overnight in Penola. 

This retreat meets the requirements for Leader Retreats (Principals, Deputy Principals and APRIMs)

The Pilgrimage will be held on 28 June to 1 July 2026 and will visit significant sites in the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop as an educator, leader and person of hope. It will be facilitated by Sr Mary Ryan rsj, Assistant Director of the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Ministry. The pilgrimage includes the opportunity to visit places of significance in the 160 Years of Josephite Education in SA.

This Pilgrimage offers leaders a unique experience to reflect on the life of St Mary MacKillop as a resilient, faithful and hope-filled educational leader inspired by Jesus and how we can take inspiration from her in our own leadership today, with all its joys and challenges

Program outline

Sunday June 28

Please make your own way to your accommodation in Penola. Dinner, provided by CESA, will be held at the Royal Oak Hotel, 31 Church Street, Penola at 5.30pm.

Monday June 29 - Penola

Visit to the Stable School Park, Mary MacKillop Penola Centre, St Joseph’s Church and other local landmarks significant in the Mary MacKillop/Julian Tenison Woods story.

Make your way home to Adelaide.

Tuesday June 30 - Kensington

Spend the day a the Mary MacKillop Museum & Bethany Centre, including a local heritage walk, time for individual reflection and a Chapel Ritual.

Wednesday July 1 - Adelaide

Participants will gather at St Mary’s College Chapel at the former “Poor School,” then walk together to St Francis Xavier Cathedral for Mass. A reflection, conversation and debriefing will take place afterwards in the Cathedral Hall.

Facilitators: Sr Mary Ryan rsj and Mary Hemmings

Bookings close 15 June 2026.