Mission & Identity

And Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour. (Luke 1:46)

Friday, 15 August is the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the day we celebrate our belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her life. Our College Chaplain, Fr Eladio Lizada OSJ, led students and staff in the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist on this Holy Day of Obligation. 

Last week (8 August) was the celebration of the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop; Australia’s first and only Saint. Fr Eladio generously led three Masses on this day to ensure all students were given the opportunity to raise their hearts to God in praise of St Mary’s of the Cross’ inspirational example. (When I could not see my way God kept my heart full of trust to make all come right. St Mary of the Cross, 1883).

These two women are examples – inspirational, historical, enduring – for us to follow in our daily living. When we celebrate these women, our hearts are guided towards the fundamental and self-creating “yes” to Jesus that is the definitive mark of our Christian faith. Saying “yes” to friendship with Jesus is the faith that perfects all our knowledge, the hope that grants us the courage to choose what is truly good, and the charity that motivates us to respond to the dignity of every human person. What a vision of education! 

Inspired by the lived reality of these women’s faith, all that we do here at St Patrick’s College is understood, chosen, and encountered as an invitation into the love of God: the love that is our heart’s deepest desire. SPC shares in the wonderful mission of the Church to bring hearts and minds to Jesus. May all that we do proclaim the greatness of the Lord, may our spirits exult in God, our Saviour. Let us be united by the great words of Mary’s prayer, the Magnificat. 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name,

and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm,

he has routed the proud of heart.

He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy

– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –

of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Finally, my sincere and personal thanks to Mr Mitch Leviston for his outstanding leadership as Acting Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity during Semester One. His generosity, wisdom, and joy continue to be gifts to the SPC community.