Religious Education
THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
On August 15, Catholics around the world celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This special feast reminds us of the Catholic belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus, finished her life on earth, God took her—body and soul—into Heaven. This shows us how important Mary is in God’s plan for salvation and how closely she shared in her Son’s life, death, and resurrection.
Mary holds a very special place in the Catholic faith. She is the Mother of God, the first and most faithful disciple of Jesus, and a model for all of us in how to love and follow Him. We often turn to Mary in prayer, asking her to pray for us and guide us closer to Jesus.
The Feast of the Assumption is also a Holy Day of Obligation. This means it is so important that Catholics are expected to attend Mass, even if it falls on a weekday. Holy Days of Obligation are times when the Church asks us to pause our everyday activities and focus our hearts on God in a special way. In Australia there are only 2 Holy days of obligation, besides every Sunday - August 15th (The Assumption) and December 25th (The Nativity of our Lord Jeus Christ).
As we celebrate this feast, we are reminded of God’s promise of eternal life and of the hope we share with Mary to one day be with Him in Heaven.
Families and friends are warmly invited to attend the 9.15am school mass tomorrow on this special feast day. Alternatively, there will be an Assumption Vigil Mass held this evening at 7pm and another one at 7pm on Friday here at St Patrick’s church. In light of yesterday’s wonderfully festive Italian Day here is a very familiar prayer in honour of our Blessed Mother Mary.
CONFIRMATION NEWS
In just two weeks, on Thursday the 28th August, our Year 6 students will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation — and this year it will be extra special! As part of the Jubilee celebrations, they have been invited to receive the sacrament in the magnificent St Patrick’s Cathedral, a truly great honour.
Due to the recent appointment of Bishop Tony Ireland to a new role as the Archbishop of Hobart, we were for a time without a celebrant. We are delighted to share that our very own parish priest, Fr Justin Ford, will be the principal celebrant for the Mass. This is especially timely and fitting as it comes in the same week that Fr Justin celebrated a milestone birthday — a wonderful birthday gift for him and a blessing for our students to be confirmed by such a familiar and friendly face on this important occasion in their faith journey.
Kathryn Ady
Religious Education Leader