Education in Faith
October: The Month of Mary
October is a special time in the Church, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It's a month where we’re invited to reflect on her deep faith, humility, and unwavering “yes” to God.
Through praying the Rosary, we are drawn closer to Jesus by walking with Mary through the key moments of His life.
Mary is a model of trust, strength, and compassion. In a world that often feels noisy and uncertain, her quiet faith reminds us to slow down, listen, and say yes to God in our own lives, just as she did.
May we turn to Mary this month as a mother, guide, and source of peace.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Pilgrimage to Ireland – Reflection
Over the holidays, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a pilgrimage to Ireland with 37
people from across the Diocese of Melbourne, led by Father Mark and Father Brendan. The whole experience honestly felt so surreal.
We learnt about some of Ireland’s most inspiring saints, including St Patrick, St Kevin and Edmund Rice, visiting the places they lived, prayed and served. Their stories reminded us of the power of faith, courage, and service.
Alongside visiting sacred sites, we experienced the natural beauty of Ireland. The peaceful countryside, ancient ruins, and breathtaking places like the Cliffs of Moher, all of which reminded us of God’s presence in creation.
Some highlights for me included:
- The Book of Kells: An ancient, beautifully illustrated manuscript created by monks over 1000 years ago, reminded me how important the Word of God has been across the centuries and how much effort was put into preserving it.
- Glendalough founded by St Kevin in the 6th century: Surrounded by stunning scenery, it was easy to see why it became such a spiritual place. Walking through the old stone ruins and quiet paths gave me time to reflect and connect with God in the silence and beauty of nature.
- St Declan’s Well and ruins: It was a quiet, sacred spot with a rich sense of history. It made me think about how faith has been passed down through generations. We spontaneously decided to celebrate Mass at this site and it was here, where I had a moment of being in a thin place; where the veil between heaven and earth just felt that little bit thinner.
- Knock Shrine: One of Europe’s most significant Marian sites. Being surrounded by prayer and peace was incredibly powerful and I even spotted our school’s logo on a hotel nearby!!
- We also reflected on the life of Nano Nagle, who I referred to as Ireland’s own Mary MacKillop. Nano dedicated her life to educating the poor and helping those in need. She also founded the Presentation Sisters in the 18th century. Like Saint Mary MacKillop, her legacy lives on in schools and communities today. Her story was really inspiring and a reminder of how one person’s faith and courage can make a lasting difference, especially during hard times.
This pilgrimage was not just a trip through beautiful landscapes and ancient ruins, it was a spiritual journey of learning, prayer and deepening connection to the roots of our Catholic identity. I have returned home with a heart full of gratitude! It is something I’ll always carry with me and feel incredibly grateful for the chance to have experienced it.
Sarah
Education in Faith Leader