Week Four

Dear Parents

As I mentioned in our first newsletter, the year 5/6 students are exploring the sacrament of Confirmation this term. As part of their exploration, they look at the lives of Saints.

This week we celebrate the Feast of Mary Mackillop (the 8th August), our first Australian Saint. The children will have the opportunity to look at the life of Mary, during their remote learning, as well as participate in our whole school liturgy, which takes place on Friday afternoon. It is incorporated into our School Assembly. You are all very welcome to join us.

Mary was born in Victoria in the 1800’s and devoted her life to teaching children. She believed everyone, no matter how rich or poor,should have the chance to be educated.

In 1866 Mary set up the first of many schools. She also founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who continue to do the good work St Mary started.

Below I have included an extract from the Sisters of St Joseph’s website. It is a real and personal encounter that one of the Sisters (Sister Helena) had with Mary Mackillop. Sr. Michele Shipperley reflects on those words, making sense of it in our world today.

It was my privilege to enjoy the love and friendship of Mother Mary of the Cross.

From the first day I met her as Superioress of Mount Street Convent [North Sydney], where I put in my Novitiate, until the day of her death, a period of about twenty years, during which I had many opportunities of knowing her worth.

Mother Mary was a noble woman, blessed with rare vision and holiness. Where the glory to God and duty to others were concerned she was full of moral courage, fearing no human opinion, always acting according to the dictates of conscience.

My first experience of Mother Mary’s charity was one day when going with her as companion to the city. We were waiting at the corner of the street near Mount St Post Office for a tram. A young woman came staggering along and at last reached and rested by the stone on the side of the footpath. Being young and inexperienced I naturally thought the woman was intoxicated but Mother’s quick eye detected something more serious. She said to me ‘Come along dear and see what is wrong with this poor woman.’ On getting up to her we found the woman was very ill. Mother asked if she could do anything for her. The woman said if he could get to the chemist’s nearby as she knew what would relieve her. The three of us then went to the chemist’s where the patient was attended to and we waited until she felt better. This act of Charity on Mother’s part made a lasting impression on the rest of my life.” [1]

A certain sense of God’s wonderful love strengthens me.Mary MacKillop 1873

Over the past months we have experienced global turmoil and disasters. In Australia the plight of the nation and the planet have raised our awareness to the absolute need of being connected. We have witnessed amazing heroism, generosity and deep sharing in unbelievably big and small ways.

Mary MacKillop was a person who spent her life reaching out, giving and connecting. God’s presence was a dominant feature of her life. The witness we have experienced in a nation’s response is Mary’s call to us in every-day life. God is with us in it all, good or challenging.

Courage, courage trust in God who helps you in all things.Mary MacKillop 1874

Let us ask ourselves whether Mary MacKillop’s inspirational response of reaching out, giving and connecting can become a natural call to all of us?

What aspects of Sr Helena’s story enabled you to experience the generous spirit of Mary MacKillop?

What gift can you express more fully?

There where you are you will find God.Mary MacKillop 1871

Michele Shipperley RSI

Footnote:[1] Sister M Helena McCarthy, Tokaanu, NZ. 1 December 1925 p. 71. Excerpts taken from Memories of Mary by those who knew her, Sisters of St Joseph 1925-1926.

Following on from last week’s stories of Zacchaeus, here are a few more recounts from our Year 3/4s.

St Bede's Primary School Newsletter

Bienvenue à notre école - Welcome to our school

Issue 3 · 06 Aug 2020

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