By Kath Gannaway
She is used to pilgrimages to far-flung footy grounds to pay homage to the St Kilda Saints.
On Saturday, as she packed for her Monday flight to Europe, she prayed, to Mary MacKillop and higher authorities, for a second Saints premiership.
‘I stayed home and watched ‘ I could fit in a lot more prayers that way,’ she said.
Having survived the excitement of the Collingwood/St Kilda draw on Saturday, and the eternal optimist, she says she feels her prayers are getting a bit closer to being answered.
On Saturday, she estimates she will be somewhere in Scotland with her daughter Kay and granddaughter Harley-Rose, taking her red, white and black dress and favourite footy hat out of her suitcase.
And praying.
Elaine became a Saints fan after moving as a newlywed to Marysville in 1960. In terms of premierships at least, her prayers have only been answered once ‘ 1966. But her faith has never wavered.
‘I am a Saints supporter and Mary MacKillop will be our patron saint,’ she said.
Elaine is a practising Catholic and taught Sunday School at Marysville for many years. She says her devotion to the Saints was one of a number of events which influenced her decision to attend the canonisation.
A friend, Sister Pat Robertson, is a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the order founded by Mary MacKillop.
She shared stories of Mary MacKillop and the wonderful work she did with impoverished families and children with Elaine and others after mass on Sundays.
Last year, following her devastating Black Saturday ordeal where she lost her husband Len, her home and all her belongings, Elaine accepted an invitation to get away for a short holiday to Queensland.
She arrived to find her host, Julia Cannon, a stranger, had erected a shrine to Mary MacKillop in her garden.
In a year in which St Kilda was rising to great heights, there was also the football connection.
It all seemed to be pointing in one direction ‘ Rome.
It remains to be seen whether the Blessed Mary MacKillop can pull the Saints through on Saturday, but win or lose, Elaine says she is looking forward to being part of an historic event in Rome and what will be the trip of a lifetime.
