R.E News - Assistant Principal - Mission

Feast of Assumption

On Saturday August 15 we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Catholics all around the world will celebrate the Assumption of Mary. It is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church.

We speak of Mary’s Assumption and not her Ascension. Christ ascended to heaven by his own power and authority. Mary was taken to heaven by the power of God. The Assumption of Mary is something God did for her.

Mary’s feast reminds us that we are created for the glory of God and to be with God for all eternity.

The feast is a most opportune time to learn and create a spirit of respect and common concern for our community, Australia and all people in our world. It is our hope that our actions assist in creating a community spirit, not only in August but also in every month of the year.

The Feast Day of Mary MacKillop

Last Saturday (August 8) was the feast day of Mary MacKillop. At the end of our prayers at O'Connor we call for the intercession of our Patron Saints St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle. We also call for the intercession of Australia's only recognised saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Who was she? Thanks to the Josephite Sisters, here is a simple account of her life:

Mary MacKillop was born on 15 January 1842 in Melbourne, Victoria. Her parents were born in Scotland and came to live in Australia. She had three sisters and four brothers. Mary cared about the people who had no one to look after them such as boys and girls who just roamed the streets, children in the country who had no school to go to, people who were old and sick and people who had nowhere to live. Mary wanted more than anything to help these people.

Mary went to work as a teacher in a little country town in South Australia called Penola. There she met Father Julian Tenison-Woods who also wanted to do something for the poor children who could not afford to pay the money needed to go to school. Together, in 1866, they began the first St Joseph’s School in an old stable. Two of Mary’s younger sisters also taught in the school and other young women came to help them. On 19 March 1866 (St Joseph’s Day) Mary started to wear a simple black dress and began the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. Now as a Sister, she dedicated her life to doing God’s work.

As more and more young women joined Mary as Sisters, they were able to start more schools. All children were welcome at the Josephite schools, which provided free Catholic education. In Adelaide they opened a place for women who had nowhere to live, an orphanage for children who had no parents to look after them and a house where poor people could come and stay. The Sisters visited people who were in gaol and those who were poor and sick. Mary MacKillop was kind to all people, even if they did not agree with her. She died on 8 August 1909 in Alma Cottage, North Sydney.

Mary helped many people during her lifetime and after she died, the Sisters of St Joseph kept on doing the good work she had started. Mary MacKillop kept her faith in God and bravely challenged those who did not support her vision for a more caring world. Mary is an important Australian who spent her life helping people, especially children. She is Australia’s first Saint.

Mass at De La Salle Chapel

Mass is back at O'Connor albeit under some COVID restrictions. Year masses at present are not possible. Mass has been held with smaller numbers to enable social distancing. Mass is on Wednesdays at 9.15am and the College is very grateful to the clergy for supporting this.

This week's Mass was celebrated by Father Roel and Year 11 were able to attend. Thank you to everyone who did readings as well as Meg Lawry, Jock Sweeney and Nick Troon who provided the music.