In the coming weeks we have two special Catholic Feast Days that we will celebrate as a school. We thought we might have a quick look at them today.

A Catholic feast day is a special day when we remember and celebrate someone or something important to the Catholic Faith. The word feast comes from the Latin festes, which means “joy,” and shows that it is a time to celebrate. During the year, the Catholic Church has many feast days, as well as holy days of obligation, saints’ days, and days that remind us of God’s love shown through the lives of Jesus and his mother, Mary.

The type of feast day most people know is one that celebrates the saints—holy men and women who have died and are now in heaven with God. The Church honours more than 10,000 saints, each with a special day of the year.

On a saint’s feast day, Catholics are asked to think about why we remember that saint. Why do we celebrate their feast day each year? What does it mean for us? What do we need to do to live our life like that saint?

Feast of St Mary of the Cross - August 8th

On this Feast day we celebrate Australia's first Saint, Mary MacKillop.

Mary MacKillop was born on 15 January 1842 in Melbourne, Victoria. Mary went to work as a teacher in a little country town in South Australia called Penola. There she met Father Julian Tenison Woods who shared her interest in helping disadvantaged children, particularly those who could not afford to go to school. Together, in1866, they began the first St Joseph’s School in an old stable.

On 19 March 1866 (St Joseph’s Day) Mary started to wear a simple black dress and began the Congregation of the Sisters

of St Joseph. Now as a Sister, she dedicated her life to doing God’s work. As more and more young women joined Mary as Sisters, they were able to start more schools. All children were welcome at the Josephite schools, which provided free Catholic education.

Mary MacKillop kept her faith in God and bravely challenged those who did not support her vision for a more caring world. Mary is an important Australian who spent her life helping people, especially children.

When celebrated in the modern day, a phrase used about Mary is Be Fierce for Fair, advocating to be fierce in the face of adversity and fair where there is injustice.

Reflection Questions about the Feast of St Mary of the Cross

-How would it feel being a student but not being able to go to school?

-What are some examples of being fair we can see in our daily lives? What are some examples of being unfair?

-What do you think Mary MacKillop would love about visiting our school at St Anthony's? What would she want to talk about?

Feast of the Assumption of Mary - August 15

This feast day celebrates Mary the mother of Jesus.

We understand that Mary lived a life that was in dedication to God. When she was very first approached by an Angel and told she would bear a child she accepted this role with grace.

Mary raised Jesus with her husband Joseph and was present for many important stories in the Bible. At the Wedding in Cana, Mary was the one who prompted Jesus to turn the Water into Wine to help the family hosting the wedding. She nurtured Jesus as he grew and helped him to become the special person we know him as.

On this feast day we reflect on Mary the mother, but also the love of mothers and all parents. How strong this love is and how much we owe to the people who raised us!

The tradition handed down is that when Mary died, both her soul and body was assumed into heaven. Mary was so special to God that she was immediately taken to heaven, reflecting the resurrection of Jesus.

Reflection Questions about the Feast of the Assumption

- How would we describe Mary the mother in her life?

-Who does Mary the mother remind us of in our lives? Who has cared for us the way Mary cared for Jesus?

- If you could speak to Mary, what would you ask her about?

We look forward to celebrating both of these Feast days as a community in our Church, as well as unpacking them for the students in our classrooms.

Take care!

Tim O'Mahoney

Education in Faith Leader

tomahoney@santglen.catholic.edu.au

Caritas