Faith and Family Matters
Mary MacKillop
August 8th is the feast day of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop is also known as Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She is Australia’s first saint, and her nick name is “Mary Mac”.
Mary MacKillop made a difference in the lives of Catholic Australians in the early days of our country’s history. In early Australian times, if you were poor and a Catholic there was little or no chance of an education and especially a Catholic Education like we have today. The poor stayed poor, neglected and uneducated. At this time, young Mary MacKillop dreamed of becoming a nun. She really wanted to help these poor children to get a good Christian education, so they could do something with their lives. She wanted them to know of God’s love for them. Together with a young priest called Father Julian Woods, she began to do something about her dream. She organised for the Sisters of St Joseph to go out to isolated bush places to educate the poor children, wherever they were. They went across Australia and New Zealand, not only for education but also to care for the sick, the homeless and orphans. Mary faced many difficulties, hardships and misunderstandings but through it all she had faith in God and worked to bring God’s word to the poor people. Wherever there were poor children or a need to be met, the Sisters were there for them. Mary believed wherever there was a need you did something about it.
Next Friday, 7th August Holy Family will celebrate the feast of St Mary MacKillop. We will begin with prayer in MacKillop Hall at 9:00am and you are all welcome to join us. Students will be invited to wear winter woollies (scarfs, beanies and gloves) to school on Friday with their school uniforms. While we will be warm in our woollies, we will be thinking of others who do not have as much as we have. At this time of year, we acknowledge the good work of the people at Mary Mac's Place, which is CatholicCare's homelessness services across the Diocese of Broken Bay. We invite you to make a donation via the QR code below to support the work that they do.
Mary MacKillop encourages us to never see a need without doing something about it. Let's follow her example!
Thank you in advance for your generosity as we care for our brothers and sisters in need.
Kind regards
Liana Stella
REC
Register for this wonderful Parent Conference on Saturday 22 August 2026 on the link below. Only $30
Free CatholicCare Parenting Courses for Term 3
Save the date: Sunday August 23 is the Year 3 Family Weekend Mass where all Year 3 families are invited to come together for Mass and Morning Tea.
Anne Gray
Parent Engagement Coordinator
anne.gray1@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Wednesdays and half day Thursday