ALLORA'S Sister Monica Cavanagh has stepped into the shoes of Saint Mary MacKillop.

Sr Cavanagh has been appointed congregational leader of the Catholic order founded by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Sr Cavanagh will head up the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart - Josephites (RSJ).

The order was founded in 1866 by Sister Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Woods.

Sr Cavanagh is the 15th congregational leader in the role performed by then Mary MacKillop.

And to mark the event the Allora parish presented Sr Cavanagh with a framed photo of St Patrick's Church, Allora.

Sr Cavanagh grew up as the third of ten children of Ned and Ilma Cavanagh on their dairy farm at Berat.

She attended masses at St Patrick's Church and the parish school for her primary education.

The presentation was made at a family mass attended by students of St Patrick's Primary School.

Sr Cavanagh will hang the photo in her office at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

Professed as a Sister of St Joseph in the Allora Church in 1973, Sr Cavanagh has since been a teacher and faith educator and facilitator.

She was the Josephite co-ordinator for World Youth Day in Sydney and a key facilitator in the preparations for Mary MacKillop's Canonisation.

With her special interest in the life and spirituality of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Sr Monica wrote the book Mary MacKillop - A Window of Hope.

Sr Cavanagh served on both provincial and congregational leadership teams before becoming congregational leader.

Sr Cavanagh said the the Allora parish and community is a significant part of her life. She will join the parish on March 12-13 next year for St Patrick's centenary.