Faith and Mission

This week, we celebrated our Community Mass on Thursday,15 August, as it was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This feast honours the belief that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. The roots of the Assumption can be traced back to early Christian traditions, though the feast was formally established by Pope Pius Xll in 1950. The dogma of the Assumption emphasises Mary’s purity and her unique relationship with Jesus Christ, highlighting her as a symbol of hope and grace for all believers.

The Feast of the Assumption allows us to reflect on Mary’s role as the Mother of the church and find inspiration in her faith and virtues. In 2017, Pope Francis addressed 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on the solemnity of the Assumption, sharing a moving reflection: 

She brings a new ability to overcome with faith the most painful and difficult moments; she brings the ability of mercy, to forgive each other, understand each other, support one another. … We ask her to keep us and support us so that we may have a strong, joyous and merciful faith. May she help us to be holy, so that we might meet with her, one day, in Heaven.

This message beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the Assumption, reminding us of Mary’s role in guiding and supporting us through our own spiritual journeys.

As Pope Francis reminds us, let us ask Mary to intercede for us and guide us on our spiritual path: 'O Mary, mother of God, mother of the Church, assumed into heaven, pray for us and lead us there.'

Amen to that.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

Next week Community Mass will be prepared by students in Year 7. While our Friday liturgy is not a ‘Sunday Mass’, we will use the readings from the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Many people find that hearing the readings on Fridays helps them prepare for busy weekend liturgies in their parishes. After Mass, the conversation continues over coffee in the Circle of Friends Café – all are welcome to stay!

Sunday 25 August – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – is also the annual ‘Social Justice Sunday’, and this year, the Australian Catholic Bishops invite Christians to consider ‘cultivating a culture of peace by following Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life and the Prince of Peace’. The invitation is developed in this year’s Social Justice Statement, ‘Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.’ Calling people to recognise each individual’s ‘God-given dignity which cannot be taken away or ignored’ and the ‘realisation that there is no “us” or “them”’, the statement draws extensively on Pope Saint John XXIII’s 1963 encyclical, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth). Published in the months following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the encyclical was a symbol of hope for the Church and for all humankind. 

The encyclical concludes with a fervent prayer for peace:

‘May God banish from the hearts of all people whatever might endanger peace, 

may God transform them into witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly and sisterly love. 

May God enlighten the rulers of all people so that they……may defend the great gift of peace; 

may God enkindle the wills of all so that they may overcome the barriers that divide, cherish the bonds of mutual charity, understand others and pardon those who have done them wrong

 ….may all people of the earth become as brothers and sisters and 

may the most longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always among them.’ 

(Pacem in Terris #171)

Pacem in Terris (April, 11 1963) | John XXIII (vatican.va)

With Pope John XXIII as our College namesake and a College motto of ‘Seek Justice’, this year’s statement will have particular resonance for the College students, families and staff. 

Fathers' Day

In week 7, Friday Mass will commence at the earlier time of 7:30am, and will relocate to the Saint Louis Sports Centre, for a Mass dedicated to father figures. 

A Mass dedicated to Fathers

Friday 30 August, 7:30am

All Dads and father figures are welcome to join us with their children for a special Mass dedicated to Fathers.

St Louis Sports Centre, John XXIII College

Mass will be followed by morning tea.

Please RSVP at www.trybooking.com/1252346 

Term 3 Community Mass schedule

The schedule for Term 3 Friday Mass is below, and if you have any further queries, please contact mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au