FAITH MATTERS

Mass of the Oils

On Monday 3rd April, Ms Haeusler, myself and our diocesan seminarian Cay travelled to the Mass of the Oils at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat. Colloquially called the Chrism Mass, it is an annual celebration of the Diocesean Church in Ballarat. People gathered with the Bishop and priests of the region to bless the oils, and to pray for everyone that will receive anointing in the coming year. This includes the sick, the newly baptised and those who will receive the sacrament of confirmation. 

St Mary MacKillop College were proud to have two of our Year 7 students altar serve at the Mass, Thomas Kennedy and Harrison Bowd. We are grateful to their mothers, Mary and Naomi for accompanying them in attending. For the Reception of the Holy Oils, Ms Haeusler presented the Oil of Catechumens, and Fr James Kerr (Parish Priest of Holy Family Northeast Mallee) presented the Oil to be blessed as Chrism. 

It was great to witness the representation of the geographic region of our diocese, and the key leaders from Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education (DOBCEL) and our local parishes. Bishop Paul Bird mentioned in the homily that these are the “oils of gladness”. As such, the symbolism of oil in the Catholic Church is a reminder of the healing and hope available to us in this year ahead.  

Stations of the Cross

On the final day of Term 1, Ms Haeusler’s Year 10 RE Class presented a reenactment of the ‘Stations of the Cross’. The Stations of the Cross recall Jesus’ final steps towards His crucifixion, before his death and resurrection. 

As many of the characters in the enactment wore masks, students and staff were invited to envisage themself, as part of the story too. In some ways, through the Stations we see the mirror of Jesus’ story with our own lives. We all have our struggles, we all fall down, we get back up again, and have friends, mentors and our family on the journey with us. We know that there is always hope, and we choose that hope as Christian people. Jesus rose again; and so do we on our “stations” of life. 

Special thanks to Ms Haeusler and the Year 10 students who did a brilliant job of their prayerful dramatisation. Thank you also to students and staff who were reverent during the liturgy. 

I hope you all had a refreshing break and a lovely Easter season.