Religious Education

Recently we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th.

This is a very important day for Catholics. It is called a Holy Day of Obligation and we usually go to Mass. We have all been learning about Mary and saying her special prayer, The ‘Hail Mary’.

We celebrate this day because this was when Mary, the Mother of God, went up to heaven - body and soul.

The Assumption of Mary is a doctrine (or teaching) of the Catholic Church, which states that after the Holy Mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and her body and soul were taken to heaven. 

The Assumption signifies the end of Mary's life on Earth and her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. This doctrine was defined as dogma by Pope Pius XII on 1st November 1950.

A dogma, in religious terminology, is a principle or set of principles believed to be true. It is therefore a required belief of all Catholics and followers of the Catholic Church. 

What is the difference between the Ascension and the Assumption?  

Jesus ascended.  Mary was assumed.  Because Jesus is God, He went up into Heaven by His own power.  Mary, however, is a creature.  She is not God.  Thus, she could not ascend to Heaven by her own power.  Thus, she was assumed – that is, taken up into Heaven.

Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint. We celebrate her feast day on August the 8th. This is the date on which she died. She is known as  Saint Mary of the Cross. Here is some information about her life.

We also had our Confirmation workshop via Zoom with Michele from Presentation Family Centre who explained the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to our Yr 5/6 candidates and their parents. 

Unfortunately our Sacrament of Confirmation (which was to be held on September 2nd)  has to be rescheduled due to lockdown. SLC has been working on their understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Kind regards

Mrs Margaret Maher

Religious Education Leader