Ministry Coordinator's News
Last week we celebrated a very special time in the liturgical calendar - the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Thursday 8 August.
We celebrated the vision of Australia’s first Saint and of the Sisters of Saint Joseph who founded our school, being realised. Mary MacKillop’s influence in Australia today, and beyond, is palpable.
Mary and the Sisters were committed to serving the poor – to going to where the need was and living amongst those in need.
Mary faced fierce opposition throughout her life. In the face of trial, Mary was a model of forgiveness, insisting no ill be spoken of those who wronged her, while also remaining resolute in her convictions. Mary was remarkable as a strong female leader in 19th century Australia.
Education in this country is what it is today thanks to her dedication and determination.
In the spirit of Mary MacKillop, we work in partnership to help create generational change through the teaching of practical life skills to women, men and children in Australia and beyond.
In 1867, her co-founder, Fr Julian Tenison Woods wrote that the Sisters were to: “Do all the good they can and never see an evil without trying how they may remedy it. … This is their mission… The religious must do any good that they can…and make their charity all-embracing.”
It is in the spirit of that guiding principle that St Joseph’s Catholic College Aberdeen was established.
We at St Joseph’s Catholic College Aberdeen are committed to continuing the works of the Sisters of St Joseph, with the utmost respect for our great past and we look to the future for transformation and change, in the spirit of Saint Mary MacKillop.
This brings us to our Year 11 students moving towards the transition of full leadership of our grand College as they participated in their retreat for 2024 last week, where they were asked to follow in the Charism of the Josephite Sisters and true leadership, being asked to:
“Believe in the whisperings of God in your own heart.”– Saint Mary MacKillop 1868.
Year 12 have commenced their final journey at St Joseph’s Catholic College Aberdeen as they work through their Trial HSC Examinations. We pray that they are ready and be the best, they can be.
Loving God, be with me now as I prepare for my examinations. Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have given me and for the opportunity of education. Calm my nerves and anxiety, help me to remember all that I have studied, to express it clearly and to answer the questions to the very best that I can. Amen.
Finally, let us pray to St Mary of the Cross Mackillop; that the challenging time that we are all experiencing at this moment, to come to an end as quickly as possible and to offer up our sufferings for those who are suffering more than us.
God bless you and your family,
Vincent Cooper
Ministry Coordinator