Mary MacKillop Buc was commissioned by the Shire of Glenelg to write an hour-long cantata mass for the centenary of the death of Mary MacKillop. It was premiered by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic in Portland, Victoria. The "Mass of Mary McKillop" is a setting for congregational singing, composed by Joshua Cowie. Hymns specifically used in St Mary of the Cross celebrations including "A Saint for Today" and "Mary MacKillop, Woman of Australia" by Josephite Sister Margaret Cusack, and "If I Could Tell The Love of God", "In Love God Leads Us" and "Psalm 103" by Jesuit Priest Christopher Willcock. MacKillop is also
Mary MacKillop sisters Annie and Lexie to come to Penola and to open a Catholic school. Woods was appointed director of education and became the founder, along with MacKillop, of a school they opened in a stable there. After renovations by their brother, the MacKillops started teaching more than 50 children. At this time MacKillop made a declaration of her dedication to God and began wearing black. On 21 November 1866, the feast day of the Presentation of Mary, several other women joined MacKillop and her sisters. MacKillop adopted the religious name of Sister Mary of the Cross and she and Lexie