Faith & Mission

Honoring Our Lady & the Feast of the Assumption

As we approach the upcoming Feast of the Assumption, our school community is provided with a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect and renew our shared devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.  Within Catholic theology and spirituality, devotion to Mary is far more than a sentimental attachment or a cultural practice; it is deeply rooted in our faith as a guiding pillar for how we live out our call to discipleship, as she was of course the first disciple and our ultimate role model for it.

Mary holds a unique and inseparable relationship with Jesus.  Chosen by God to be His mother, in doing so, God demonstrated His profound love and care for humanity, choosing to enter our world intimately through a human family.  In our daily lives, Mary serves as the ultimate role model of faith, hope and love.  As Pope Benedict XVI noted in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, Mary’s life was encapsulated by her proclamation: "My soul magnifies the Lord" (Luke 1:46).  Rather than placing herself at the center, she created space for God through prayer and service to her neighbor.   She was the very first Christian, and as Saint Faustina beautifully reflected, "The more I imitate the Mother of God, the more deeply I get to know God".  

Just as Mary once cared for the physical body of Christ, she continues to care for the Church, the mystical body of Christ, through her powerful intercession.  When we pray through Marian devotions such as the Rosary or the Hail Mary, we seek her maternal protection and ask her to present our prayers to her Son.  By turning to Mary during difficult times or moments of uncertainty, we draw closer to God.  As Mother of all believers, she points us directly toward Jesus, encouraging us to become "fountains of living water in the midst of a thirsting world" and bearers of love within our school and wider community.  

Reflecting on Mary also invites us to look at the vital contributions of women throughout Church history.  Women were the last disciples at the cross and the very first witnesses at the empty tomb.  In the early Church, leaders such as Lydia, Nympha, and Mary the mother of John Mark, hosted and sustained house-churches, playing a decisive role in spreading the Gospel.  Today, that same spirit lives on through the active participation of lay leaders, educators and families in Catholic education, parish ministries and community service.   The late Pope Francis reminds us that we are all called to be active "missionary disciples" rather than passive observers.  Furthermore, he highlighted that "the feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society" and called for broader opportunities for women's leadership across both the Church and society.  

As we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, let us invite Mother Mary into our hearts and daily routines.  May her grace-filled openness, humility and unwavering faith inspire our students, staff and families to walk closely with Christ.

Ms Hannah Hale

Director of Faith & Mission