Religion and Parish News
Holy God, source of all goodness,
you show us in Mary MacKillop a woman of faith who lived by the power of the cross.
Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel that respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Feast of St Mary MacKillop
The Feast of St Mary of the Cross is important to us because St Mary MacKillop was the first, and is still the only, Australian person to be canonised. St Mary MacKillop’s work revolved around helping disadvantaged Australians.
When we talk of St Mary of the Cross, we’re talking about Mary MacKillop. She was 24 when she adopted the name Sister Mary of the Cross.
Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842. She was a nun who, along with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor, particularly in country areas.
St Mary of the Cross led a very busy life. She played a huge role in opening schools across South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and even in New Zealand!
St Mary of the Cross died in the Josephite Convent in North Sydney on August 8th, 1909. Following two miracles being attributed to her intercession, she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2010, making her Australia’s first saint.
Important Dates for First Reconciliation:
Information will be sent out in Term 3 Week 4
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Tuesday 24th of September, 6pm, St Joseph’s Church (Week 10, Term 3)
Parent Night
Thursday 22nd of August, 6pm, St Joseph’s Church (Week 5, Term 3)
Rite of Enrolment Mass
Saturday 24th August (6pm) or Sunday 25th August (8:30am), St Joseph’s Church
Retreat Day
Tuesday 24th of September, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 3)
Kindergarten’s Adventure to St Joseph's Church
On Tuesday July 30, Kindergarten visited St Joseph’s Church. Fr Antony explained the important items and symbols that we can see in the church such as the: tabernacle, altar, presider's chair, cross, lectern, candles and baptismal font.
The students practised genuflecting and prayed together before returning to school.
As they left the church everyone blessed themselves with Holy Water.
It was really special having Fr Antony spend this time with us in the Church.
