Education In Faith

From the Director of Catholic Identity

Seeing a need and taking action; God’s work through our hands

Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

“Never be ashamed of work done for God and for God’s poor”

(Mary MacKillop, 1874)

“Never see a need without doing something about it”

(Mary MacKillop, 1871)

The statements above reflect one of the core beliefs of Mary MacKillop’s spirituality; that those who are most needy in our world must come first, it is through our hands that this work is achieved. At the heart of a Josephite education is the need to raise awareness for and become advocates for those people in our local, national and global communities who are in need of support and care.

This understanding of our call to do God’s work is the key focus of our College’s Feast Day. Beginning with the celebration of the Eucharist in the morning, Fr John Healy reminded us of the key qualities of Mary MacKillop and that our students in very practical ways, can follow in their lives.  Presenting a suitcase during his homily, Fr John asked our students to take out a number of items and reflect on the way in which Mary would use these items travelling in our contemporary world. From a blanket to a purse of coins it was clear to our students that in following in Mary’s and in Christ’s footsteps challenges them to reach out to those who are marginalised in society and to give what they can to those in need. It was this challenge that our students took up in their fete day celebrations.

Great joy is brought to me in witnessing the efforts of our students in preparing their fete stalls. For weeks the students investigate, engage in market research, advertise and prepare their stalls. Not only a fundraising activity but also a lesson in entrepreneurial skills, our students throw their heart and soul into these activities. All their efforts were rewarded in an engaging and productive Feast Day that saw the College raise over $7000.00 for the MacKillop Foundation.

Our Feast day always concludes with a great celebration of talents and fun, with our annual MSJ’s Got Talent Final. Well done to all our winners. For me, the highlight of this event, is the invitation to our Year 12 students to lead the College in the school song on their final Feast Day. With great joy and excitement they stand with pride leading the college for one of their last times as MSJ students in our song.

Overall the day was filled with great spirit, and all students and staff should be commended in their fundraising efforts. The following is a short message of thanks from the foundation;

"The Mary MacKillop Foundation sincerely appreciates the school community’s fundraising as part of your St Mary Mackillop Feast Day celebrations.  Your support provides educational opportunities to empower members of our community to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage. 

Without your assistance, we would not be able to continue Mary MacKillop’s legacy, so on behalf the vulnerable and marginalised Australians who now have a better future, we thank you."

To find out how you can change more lives, please call the foundation on (02) 8217 2748 or visit the website at www.mackillopfoundation.org.au

Danielle Fairthorne

Director of Catholic Identity

Catholic Education Today

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