EASTERN LINK - Province 20 Catenians of Western Australia

Honoured to share Mary's spirit Continued...As Marlon pauses to explain the choice, the appropriateness quickly becomes apparent.It's a graceful bird, with extremely good balance, blessed with the light step needed to move fromlily pad to lily pad and avoid falling into the water, he says.All of us chuckle at once, no doubt at the unspoken, shared thought of challenges the soon-to-besaintedMary faced negotiating the tricky Church politics of the time.Entranced we watch as the dance continues to unfold - and listen to Marlon's commentary.He describes the Brolga/Mary MacKillop waking up in the morning, eager to live the message ofGod's calling in her life.As Marlon gets closer to the cross, his arms raise."This represents wings becoming ready for flight," he says."There's a lot of extra energy too as she gets closer to the cross."Dance over, the focus turns to Ravina as she outlines the story of Marlon and his family, a storywhich clearly is a source of wonder, joy and pride to her."When we worked for AICC (Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council) we used to pick the Rileykids up in a bus from where they lived at the 'Gabba," she says as Sr Kay nods at the memory."We'd take them with others to the Christ the King School at Graceville."Of the 100 students there, 60 were Aboriginal."The thing that impressed us about Margie Riley, and has continued to impress us about thefamily, is how faithful and loyal they've stayed to the Church."Now it will be wonderful for the mother to see all the hard work she's put into her children -encouraging them in their Catholic faith and sacraments - is finally bearing fruit."Also I nominated Marlon because he's one of our young leaders and will eventually become anElder."He's been part of Murri Ministry Youth Group since 1993."SAINT MARY OF THE CROSSMACKILLOPRavina says Marlon's pride as a young Aboriginal family man will also be on display./Cont.SAINT MARY OF THE CROSSMACKILLOPHer Story - Her legacy - Her Canonisation!