Catholic Identity 

Staff Spirituality Day 

On Wednesday St Mary’s hosted the CESL Spirituality Day welcoming staff from our neighbouring schools: St Mary’s Cohuna, St Joseph’s Rochester and St Joseph’s Kerang.

The day began led by Bishop of Broome, Tim Norton SVD who spoke about the importance of culture – doing the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons. This linked beautifully to his reminder that our journey is a group experience and that we must make all efforts to collaborate. For me, this speaks strongly for each of us as either educator or parent and the significant role we play for each of our learners and children. 

The remainder of the day helped us to consider a variety of teaching and learning strategies which support the unpacking of scripture in the classroom. We also explored the value of music in our lives and the strong connections songs have to our experiences, events and family.  

We extend our sincere thanks to Father Novie for joining us for part of the day, particularly given his schedule that day with Mass and a funeral. 

Bishop Rene Installation Mass 

Last Thursday Bishop Rene was installed as the ninth Bishop of Sandhurst. With a gathering of over 1100 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo it was a significant milestone and one that will be a life long memory for many. 

Bishop Rene spoke in his Homily of the importance of zeal, mercy, love and faith. He spoke of his vision for our Diocese, centred on Jesus Christ. 

May we each pray for Bishop Rene as he shepherds us in prayer, hope and service. 

Our learners are busy at the moment designing and writing cards of congratulations and great joy which will be forwarded to Bishop Rene at the end of next week. 

Parent & Child Puberty Information Evening 

An Information evening for all Year 4 learners and their parents/carers will be held on Wednesday 19th August from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. This Information session is an online virtual presentation led by CHOICEZ MEDIA and is delivered by an experienced Family Life educator and endorsed by Catholic Education Sandhurst. The online session is viewed by parents/carers with their child in their home.  

Participation in this online evening creates opportunities for parents/carers to have the sensitive conversations with their child in the privacy of their own home. 

The one hour session will cover age-appropriate information which is grounded in the dignity of the person and Catholic values including topics of personal development, changing and growing, emotions, friendships and puberty.   

Following the evening, parents will be provided with a link to a Digital Parent pack including video resources. It is at parents/carers discretion to decide which information is appropriate for their child at that given time.  

Further information has been sent to Year 4 families via Compass. 

St Mary’s Church Mini Market 

On Sunday 16th August, the Moore Community (Years 3 & 4) will host the 9.30am G’Day Weekend Mass. Learners from these Year levels have been allocated responsibilities in this Mass. St Mary’s Choir have also been invited to sing at this Mass.  

St Mary’s Parish will host a Mini Market Day following Mass. The market will host many stalls including face painting for a gold coin donation. Any donations are warmly invited including plants, books, jams and preserves, and cakes. All may be left at the Parish centre on Saturday 15th August between 4.30 - 5.30pm. 

All proceeds will go towards a Parish Disabled Toilet project. 

All are welcome. 

Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 

On the 8th August we celebrate Australia’s first Saint, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. From this great Australian woman, we have much to learn. The values that were important to Mary were love, peace, forgiveness, justice, compassion, kindness, trust and gratitude. 

Even when Mary MacKillop experienced great worry and troubles, she focussed on what mattered most – God’s values and how to live these out in her life.  

This is what we too are called to do in our own daily lives – to set our hearts on God’s way. 

Every year level will gather in their shared space for prayer on Friday to celebrate this significant woman in our country’s history and in the model she provides in our life. 

May we too reflect her famous words, ‘To never see a need without doing something about it’. 

Feast of The Assumption 

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on the 15th August. It is the Catholic belief that at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken up, body and

soul, into Heaven. Mary is a model of faith and hope and inspires us to follow her example. 

Every year level will gather in their shared space on Friday 14th August to celebrate this Feast.  

Mass & Liturgy Timetable 

Colleen Hampson 

Catholic Identity Leader