Mission

Marian Mass

This week we celebrated our Marian Mass with Mater Dei Primary School. The theme of our Mass was ‘Mary arose and went with haste’. 

Mary was the first missionary disciple of her son Jesus. She always encountered God - in profound ways - from the beginning to the end of her life. In every encounter, she surrendered to love and was changed. Our display of Mary’s garden is a representation of the times in Mary’s life where she faced a challenge and arose with trust in God. 

Sacred Scripture tells us that Mary “went with haste”, filled with the very life and presence of God. She walked in a deep, abiding and intimate relationship with God. He was with her before she even responded to His invitation to become the mother of Jesus.  

Mary’s response to ‘rise’ and move ’with haste’ demonstrates her love, commitment and trust in God. Mary shows us the way in which haste can be a good thing.

Today we consider exactly what Mary was hurrying towards in the Visitation account. When she arises and moves quickly to share the news with her cousin Elizabeth, Mary is filled with a mixture of joy and fear. Knowing the demands of what God is asking of her doesn’t affect her faith, instead it is her faith which pushes her through fears, an undying trust in God.

Pope Francis says: Do not tune out the voice of God, who urges you to arise and follow the paths that he has prepared for you. Like Mary, and in union with her, may you daily bring to others all your joy and love. 

Each of us is now called to go with haste. The Lord desires to be with us, to live within us in a world that hungers for His love–a love which can be borne in us and offered through us to others. Mary shows us the way. She heard the promise, believed, was filled with grace, and conceived the Lord who is Love incarnate. 

We can do the same, and say “Yes” to what God calls us to do in our everyday lives.  In doing so, we, like Mary, will discover that “nothing is impossible with God.”

Consider today how you too can arise, stand up and go with haste and be like Mary.

Year 12 Retreat Gathering: Reflect, Reset and Go Forth

Year 12 students returned last week from their trial period and were gathered in the Marian Centre for prayer and reflection. The gathering centred around three areas: reflection, resetting and going forth (to set the world on fire).

Students reflected on their experiences at Mater Dei, identified what they were grateful for and shared these ‘greats’ with their peers.

Resetting was an opportunity for students to consider their time remaining at Mater Dei, creating SMART Goals for their remaining weeks. Students were also coached by their retreat leaders on what to do with their Trial HSC results, framing results as opportunities for growth and feedback as ‘feedforward’. Thank you to the students who embraced the opportunity to gather as a cohort prior to their return to the classroom. 

Vinnies Collection

Every day in NSW, Vinnies helps thousands of people through homeless services for men, women and families; support for those living with mental illness; home and hospital visitation; supported employment services for people with intellectual and other disabilities; overseas relief; migrant and refugee assistance; budget counselling; youth programs and material assistance. 

 Every container processed through the bulk container deposit centres is helping to support these initiatives and more. We have been collecting plastics for Vinnies Earn and Return Scheme.

Congratulations to the SRC and Mrs Lewis who are leading this initiative. Here are our totals:

Ms Bianca Fonte | Acting Leader of Mission