Catholic Identity

The theme for this year’s Season of Creation (Sept.1st-Oct. 4th) is “Peace with Creation”. 

The Season of Creation is an annual period of prayer and action, celebrated by Christians worldwide from September 1st to October 4th, dedicated to God as the Creator of all life and our shared planet. It encourages believers to reflect on their relationship with God and nature, celebrate creation's beauty, and commit to protecting the environment through prayer, conversion, and concrete actions to address climate change and ecological destruction. Pope Francis officially endorsed the Season of Creation in 2015, solidifying its importance within the global Christian community. 

Charism Day

Monday was a wonderful celebration of our Charism. All students participated in activities, learning about our special history and people. Learning in their House Colour groups, they enjoyed being immersed in all things Charism here at St. Joseph’s.  

Thank you to our school leaders and Catholic Identity team who helped facilitate our end of day assembly. 

Here is some information about our House Colours and Charism of St Joseph’s. 

MERCY  

The Sisters of Mercy are a Catholic religious order founded in Ireland in 1831 by Catherine McAuley. Their first foundation, the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, served both as a refuge and the order’s headquarters. Unlike many religious orders of the time, the Sisters were active in their ministry. They became known as the “walking nuns”, venturing into the community to visit the sick, the poor, and the imprisoned. The charism of the Sisters of Mercy is rooted in education, healthcare, and social services, particularly for women, children, and the disadvantaged. Through their practical works of charity, compassion, and service, the order grew rapidly and spread across the world. In Australia, their mission was warmly embraced, and their core values of compassion, justice, service, and dignity for all became a lasting legacy. 

MCAULEY   

Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778. From an early age, she showed a strong commitment to teaching and to supporting those less fortunate. In 1822, Catherine inherited a considerable fortune, which she devoted not to personal comfort, but to establishing the House of Mercy; a refuge where poor women and children could access education, shelter, and care. These works of compassion and justice ultimately led her to found the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. Catherine’s vision was that faith should always be expressed through action, guided by her belief that “the poor need help today, not tomorrow.” In 1841, shortly before her death, after a long day of waiting, Catherine turned to one of the sisters and said: “Be sure to have a comfortable cup of tea for everyone when I am gone.” Since then, the “comfortable cup of tea” has endured as a symbol of the warmth, hospitality, and care that lie at the heart of Catherine McAuley’s Mercy vision.

ELLIS     

Fr. Ellis was appointed the first parish priest of the newly established Cobram Parish in 1922, a role he faithfully served until his passing in 1954. In the early years, he lived in very modest conditions, set up a house in the sacristy and pitching a tent behind the church. He travelled everywhere by bicycle until he was later gifted a horse. Fr. Ellis played a pivotal role in the expansion of the parish and the purchasing of land. In 1926, he commissioned a magnificent marble altar for St. Joseph’s Church. This altar and tabernacle were later relocated to the present St. Joseph’s Church, where they remain today. Under his dedicated leadership, both the church and the school community flourished. After 32 years of devoted service, Fr. Ellis was laid to rest beside the original church he so faithfully served.  

AUSTIN 

Sister Mary Austin was Cobram’s last Mercy nun and a beloved member of the St. Joseph’s School and Parish community. She felt called to religious life at the age of 18, and after nine years of devotion and preparation, she took her final vows and began her lifelong vocation as a nun teacher. Over the course of 46 years, Sister Austin taught in 19 different schools across Victoria. Although she never formally taught at St. Joseph’s School, Cobram, she remained deeply connected to the community, praying daily for its students and staff, visiting often, and offering comfort and care to those in need. She also gave the school library its name, Coolock, in honour of Catherine McAuley’s home in Ireland. For Sister Austin, the greatest joy of being a nun was living in the house of God, continuing to learn more about Him while meeting and serving people from all walks of life. Her favourite scripture was from Psalm 94: “I need only to be slipping, and your love, Lord, immediately supports me.” Today, her memory endures at St. Joseph’s, where her likeness is preserved in a portrait in the Josephinum. 

Mercy Award 

During assembly on Friday, September 19th, the Mercy Award for “Hospitality” will be awarded. 

Our first Mercy Award for Term 4 will be “Stewardship”.  

The Sisters of Mercy demonstrated stewardship through a commitment to serving those in need, caring for the earth, and fostering a sense of community. This is exemplified by their work in providing healthcare, education, and social services, as well as their dedication to environmental sustainability and social justice.  

We can be just like the Mercy Sisters and show stewardship too.  

Some ways we can demonstrate stewardship here at St Joseph's are: 

• taking care of our own belongings 
• donating items 
• participating in activities that benefit others and the environment 
• recycling 
• conserving water, energy and resources 

Friday Mass Roster - 11:30am 

19th September – Grade 2 

Term 4 Mass Roster – Fridays at 11:30am 

(please note that this is subject to change) 

We were grateful to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Caritas Australia, thanking us for our generous Project Compassion fundraising efforts of $822.30. 

Mission Week 

October is Mission month. In week 4, Friday 31st October we will be hosting some Mission week activities. Stay tuned for more information to follow.