Religious Education

Grandparents and Special Friends Day 2026

We look forward to welcoming our grandparents and special friends to St Michael's as we gather together in prayer and community.

We also remember those who are unable to be with us today because of work commitments, distance or illness.

During our prayer liturgy, we will light a special Memory Candle in loving remembrance of grandparents and special friends who have gone before us.

Celebrating St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

On Saturday 8 August, we honour St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint.

Mary was born in Melbourne on 15 January 1842. From an early age, she worked to help support her family. In 1866, she moved to Penola in South Australia, where she and Father Julian Woods established their first school. Together, they co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph, whose mission was to educate children, especially those whose families had limited access to schooling.

Mary's life was one of faith, compassion and service. She believed in treating every person with dignity and responding to the needs of others with courage, kindness and hope. She died in Sydney on 8 August 1909 and was canonised by the Catholic Church on 17 October 2010, becoming St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Last week, the staff of St Michael's were privileged to attend a spiritual and professional learning day at the Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre. This special place was once used by Mary as a base for the Sisters of St Joseph as they responded to the needs of communities across Australia. During the day, we deepened our understanding of Christian Meditation and the Catholic Social Teachings, and reflected on how Mary lived these values through her daily words and actions. Throughout the year, we look forward to sharing more about Christian Meditation and the Catholic Social Teachings in future editions of the newsletter.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

Pope Leo XIV Monthly Prayer Intentions 

August

For evangelisation in the city ... 

Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.           

Amen