"Mater Dei Matters"

Faith Formation

 and Mission

Parish Schools Mass Saturday 18th May

On Saturday 18th May we were delighted to join forces with Sacred Heart Primary and Mater Dei Primary Schools for a special Parish School Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Kooringal. Our students and staff proudly represented the College. Thank you to those students who led the congregation in the readings and the staff who helped out on the night. The next Parish Schools Mass is in Term 3 - Saturday 31st August at 5:30pm at Sacred Heart Parish Church.

 

Feast of the Sacred Heart Celebration

Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This special day reminds us of Jesus' boundless love, compassion, and sacrifice for humanity.

 

The image of the Sacred Heart, pierced by the crown of thorns and flames of love, symbolises the depth of Jesus' sacrifice. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's love for us is boundless and unconditional. Throughout his ministry, Jesus constantly showed us compassion, forgiveness, and a desire for our salvation.

 

The wider parish community will be holding a celebration for the Feast of the Sacred Heart following the 9:00am Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday, June 18th. This celebration will include a Morning Tea in the Sacred Heart Primary School Hall. It's a wonderful opportunity to come together as a Catholic family and deepen our faith.

 

First Holy Communion

Please keep the students from Sacred Heart Primary and Mater Dei Primary Schools in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Students from Sacred Heart will celebrate their First Communion on Saturday, June 22nd, while Mater Dei students will have theirs on Saturday, June 29th and 30th.

 

A Prayer from the Vatican

Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer you through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the Church, in union with the Eucharistic Sacrifice, my prayers, actions, joys and sufferings of this day in reparation for sins and for the salvation of all people, in the grace of the Holy Spirit for the glory of the Heavenly Father. Amen.

 

National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

On May 26th, we marked National Sorry Day, a day of remembrance for the Stolen Generations. It's a solemn occasion to reflect on the trauma, pain, and injustice inflicted upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities through forced child removal policies. We offer prayers and share the truth of these experiences, acknowledging the ongoing intergenerational impacts.

 

Following National Sorry Day, Australia observed National Reconciliation Week from May 27th to June 3rd. This significant period fosters respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians. It serves as a reminder of our shared history and a call to build a more just and united future.

 

The beginning of Reconciliation Week also coincides with the 57th anniversary of the successful 1967 referendum. This historic vote, with the highest "yes" ever recorded in a federal referendum, granted Aboriginal peoples full citizenship rights. They were finally counted in the national census, and the Commonwealth gained the power to make laws for their benefit.

 

Coming after the recent referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution, National Reconciliation Week offered a crucial opportunity.  It allowed us to reflect on the progress made towards recognising and building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

The theme for 2024, "Now More Than Ever," serves as a powerful reminder. The fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues. We must all play a role in actively listening, taking action, and working together to promote healing and a brighter future for all Australians.

 

Let us continue this journey of reconciliation with understanding, respect, and a commitment to positive change.

 

Acknowledgement of Country 

As we gather on this sacred land, let us acknowledge that we are worshipping God on country of which the Wiradjuri, have been custodians for thousands of years. 

 

We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people present here today, and pay our respects to their elders past and present.

 

We acknowledge their spiritual and continued connection to the land. It is land on which they gathered for ceremonies where they found their identity, just as we gather here today for a ceremony in which we find the deepest truth about ourselves, that we are the children of God. 

 

Australia is Holy Land and the great challenge is to open our eyes to see the stories written, open our ears and hear the songs that have been sung and feel the giftedness of the land on which we are standing today. We commit to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.

 

The Presentation Sisters' Sesquicentenary

Last Friday, the Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga commemorated a remarkable milestone – their 150th anniversary since arriving in the city on May 29th, 1874. A series of celebratory events were held from May 30th to June 1st, 2024, to mark this significant occasion.

 

The centrepiece of the festivities was a special school-based celebration held on Friday, May 31st, at Kildare Catholic College. This event brought together students and staff from Presentation Schools across the Riverina, institutions that have been part of the Sisters' enduring story for the past 150 years. 

 

Eleven of our College captains and SRC students to attend this event. These students participated in a liturgy that brought many Presentation Sisters, Bishop Mark Edwards, dignitaries, staff and students from ten Presentation schools across the region. Each school presented a Banner, a lantern and some soil, used to plant a tree together as a symbol 21st century of Presentation schools and communities, as the Sisters planted seeds for the future.

The Sesquicentenary served as a powerful reminder of the immense contribution the Presentation Sisters have made to the Wagga Wagga community. Their unwavering faith, dedication to education, and unwavering commitment to social justice have left an indelible mark on the city. They laid the foundations for the strong Catholic Vision and Mission that continues to guide us today.

 

At Mater Dei, the legacy of the Presentation Sisters continues to inspire us all. We feel a deep sense of gratitude for their pioneering spirit and ongoing influence. The Sesquicentenary celebrations were a joyous occasion to reflect on their achievements and recommit ourselves to their values as we move forward. 

 

Mater Dei Celebrates 20 Years: A Legacy of Faith, Education, and Community

This year's Founders' Day Mass held a special significance. It wasn't just a celebration of our visionary founders, Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice, but also a milestone – 20 years of Mater Dei's journey!

 

Honoring Our Founders' Vision

  • The Mass paid tribute to Nano Nagle's unwavering faith and commitment to education for all, and Edmund Rice's dedication to social justice and educating the underprivileged.
  • Their charisms, emphasising community and empowerment, continue to shape Mater Dei's core values.
  • Symbolic items carried during the opening procession honoured their legacies and the College's foundation.

20 Years of Growth and Achievement

  • Mater Dei opened its doors in 2004, driven by a vision of nurturing young minds and hearts in the Catholic faith.
  • The College has grown steadily, now offering a full secondary school education.
  • We unearthed a time capsule from ten years ago, offering a glimpse into Mater Dei's early days.
  • The Mass acknowledged the dedication of staff, students, and families who built Mater Dei into the institution it is today.

Looking Forward: Carrying the Torch

  • Mater Dei remains committed to the values instilled by its founders – compassion, service, and lifelong learning.
  • We witness our students transforming into confident, compassionate individuals ready to make a positive impact.

This Founders' Day Mass was a testament to Mater Dei's strong foundation. It reminded us of the legacy we carry forward and the bright future ahead, built on the torch of knowledge and service ignited by our founders.

Vinnies Winter Appeal

This year, Vinnies is shining a light on a critical social issue: working homelessness. The stark reality is that due to a lack of affordable housing and skyrocketing rental costs, even employed Australians are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. This has led to a growing population of "the working homeless."

 

The situation is dire. The availability of affordable rentals for someone on minimum wage has plummeted to a record low, dipping below 1% nationally. Moreover, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a significant portion (36%) of the 122,494 Australians experiencing homelessness in 2021 were part of the workforce. This includes a concerning 12% who worked full-time and another 12% in part-time jobs.

 

The consequences of working homelessness are far-reaching. Individuals in this situation face a heightened risk of violence and victimisation. Furthermore, the instability and stress can make it difficult to maintain employment, potentially leading to a cycle of long-term unemployment and chronic health issues.

 

For many working Australians, simply meeting basic needs like food, water, and a safe place to sleep becomes an overwhelming daily struggle. This shouldn't be the reality for anyone in a developed nation like Australia. We must work together to address this critical issue and ensure that everyone, regardless of employment status, has access to safe and affordable housing.

The Student Representative Council is calling on your compassion this season! We're hosting a winter clothing drive to help those experiencing homelessness stay warm during the harsh winter months.

 

Here's how you can make a difference:

 

Donate gently used clothing, blankets and warm bedding: Look through your wardrobes and donate warm clothes and blankets you no longer wear or use. Remember, items should be clean and in good condition. By giving what you no longer need, you can provide warmth and comfort to those who need it most.

 

Together, let's ensure no one has to face a cold winter alone.  Thank you for your generosity and commitment to helping those in need.

 

Sacred Heart Mass Times

Mrs  Pauline Streckfuss | Acting Leader of Mission