From the Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity and Mission
Celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of Mary
On Friday, 14 August, our College community joined together in prayer to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a significant feast in the Catholic Church celebrated each year on 15 August.
The Assumption celebrates the Catholic belief that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into the glory of heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Mary already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, “anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body” (CCC 974). The feast therefore points beyond Mary to the hope at the heart of Christian faith: that through Christ, we too are called to eternal life with God.
Mary is a model of faithful discipleship. Her response to God at the Annunciation, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), demonstrates her complete trust and openness to God’s will. At Cana, she similarly encourages others to “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Through her faith, courage and humility, Mary continues to inspire Christians to follow Christ.
As Catholics, we honour Mary as the Mother of God and our spiritual mother, entrusted to the Church by Jesus at the foot of the cross (John 19:27). We can turn to Mary in prayer and ask for her intercession, confident in her closeness to God. The Assumption reminds us that Mary’s life and destiny point us towards Christ and the promise of resurrection. As Pope St John Paul II expressed, Mary “shows us the way to God, the way to Heaven, the way to life.”
An Invitation from St Padre Pio Parish
St Padre Pio Parish warmly invites our College community and families to join in celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption:
Friday, 14 August:
6.30pm Rosary, 7pm Vigil Mass
Saturday, 15 August:
12.15am – Mass
8.30am Rosary, 9am Mass (followed by morning tea)
May Mary’s example encourage us to live with faith, courage, humility and trust, always seeking to say “yes” to God’s call in our own lives.
Living Our Catholic Identity Through Generosity
Our College community has once again demonstrated the spirit of generosity, compassion and service through our recent social justice initiatives: Caroline Chisholm Day at the end of Term 2, the MacKillop House initiative, and HSIE $20 Boss Mega Market in Week 2 of Term 3.
We are deeply grateful to our students, families and staff for their generosity and willingness to support others. Through these initiatives, much-needed funds have been distributed to Caritas, St Vincent de Paul, MacKillop Today and Congo Aid, supporting communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and injustice both locally and globally.
These initiatives are a tangible expression of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly our call to care for the poor and vulnerable, uphold human dignity, promote the common good and work for justice. They remind us that our faith is not simply something we believe, but something we are called to live through action and service.
As a College named after Caroline Chisholm, whose life was marked by courage, compassion and a commitment to supporting those in need, these acts of generosity are a powerful expression of our Catholic identity. They demonstrate our belief that each person has inherent dignity and that, as a community, we have a responsibility to look beyond ourselves and respond to the needs of others.
Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your generosity is helping our students put faith into action and live out our call to be people of compassion, justice and service.
Ms Jeanette Cocks
Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity and Mission