Religious Education

Upcoming Parish Masses - Friday 9:15am 

Mary Help of Christians: Patroness of Australia May 25th 2026 

In May we also celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians on Monday 25

May, a feast day with deep roots in Australia’s Catholic story. Devotion to Our Lady Help of Christians began here in 1821, during a time when the early Catholic community had no access to Mass. The faithful relied heavily on the Rosary to sustain their faith, turning to Mary for strength, protection and hope. 

Australia became the first nation to adopt Mary under the title Help of Christians as its principal patroness, a testament to the steadfast devotion of those early Catholics.

A key figure in this story is Fr John Joseph Therry, one of the first official priests in the

colony. As the only priest in Sydney until 1825, he encouraged devotion to Mary through

the Rosary and promoted trust in her intercession. His dedication led to St Mary’s

Cathedral in Sydney being placed under her patronage, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the Church in Australia.

As we journey through this special month, may our school community continue to draw inspiration from Mary’s faith, courage and love. May this be a time when families pause, pray and connect; finding simple moments to share gratitude, hope and trust in God together. In celebrating Mary, we celebrate the heart of family life: supporting one another, growing in faith, and recognising God’s presence in the everyday moments we share. 

On Monday 6 Year 5 Students accompanied Mrs Gordon and Mrs Parnell to St Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate this Mass. The students represented the school with maturity and were respectful and reverent.  

Pentecost

Last Sunday, the church celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost, recounting the day

on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles as they were gathered in the

Upper Room in Jerusalem. This feast day marks the birth of the Catholic Church, the

moment that the Great Commission ('go out and make disciples of all the nations') truly

begins. Derived from the Greek work pentēkonta, meaning 'fifty', Pentecost occurred 50

days after the Resurrection of Jesus, and marks the end of Eastertide and heralds the beginning of Ordinary Time in the Liturgical calendar.

Pentecost is a significant day for us as Catholics. The Great Commission was not a

one‑off event written about in Matthew; it is a commission that has been passed down

from the first Twelve to us today. We are sent out at the end of every Mass with the

mission to spread the Gospel and to go and make disciples, just as the Apostles did nearly 2000 years ago.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit transformed a fearful group of disciples into courageous

witnesses. Tongues of fire rested upon them, and suddenly they could speak in many

languages, proclaiming the Good News to people from every nation. That same Spirit

continues to fill the Church today, strengthening us in our vocations, guiding our

decisions, and equipping us with the gifts we need to live our faith boldly. Pentecost

reminds us that we are never sent out alone; we are empowered, inspired, and accompanied by the Spirit who still breathes life into the Church. 

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

This Year our Year 5 and Year 6 students will be invited to take part in a Winter Sleepout at school towards the end of this term to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal. This meaningful experience invites students to learn about social justice, reflect on the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, and actively contribute to making a difference in our community. Other grades will also be invited to take part in donating food and goods for the poor in the lead up to the Winter Sleepout. 

Families will receive further details in the coming weeks, and we thank you in advance for supporting this important initiative. 

God Bless

Mrs Erin Wing | Religious Education Coordinator