Education in Faith

Mary MacKillop's Feast Day - 8th August

Mary MacKillop's Life

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on 15th January, 1842.

She worked to support her family who were poor. Mary worked in a stationery business before becoming a school teacher, then a nun. She actually started an order of nuns called the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Mary MacKillop made a difference in the lives of Catholic Australians in the early days of our country’s history.

In early Australian times, if you were poor and a Catholic there was little or no chance 

of an education and especially a Catholic Education like we have today.

The poor were neglected and uneducated. At this time, young Mary MacKillop dreamed of becoming a nun. She really wanted to help these poor children to get a good Christian education, so they could do something with their lives. She wanted them to know of God’s love for them.

Together with a young priest called Father Julian Woods,  Mary began to do something about my dream.

She organised for the Sisters of St Joseph to go out to isolated bush places to educate the poor children, wherever they were.

Mary went across Australia and New Zealand, not only for education but also to care 

for the sick, the homeless and orphans.

Mary faced many difficulties and hardships but through it all she had faith in God and 

worked to bring God’s word to the poor people.

Wherever there were poor children or a need to be met, the Sisters were there for them.

Mary believed wherever there was a need you did something about it.

Prayer:

Loving God,

You gave us Mary MacKillop.

She spent her life loving you and 

bringing your love to the poor children in Australia.

Mary MacKillop still works on through her Sisters of St Joseph today.

We thank you, God, and pray that you will bless us 

so that we can follow her example.

We ask this in the name of the Father 

and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit... Amen.

Sacrament Dates 2026

Confirmation - Year 6 Term 3

Confirmation Year 6: Thursday 20th August 

Good Shepherd Parish 5.30pm (only students from St Justin's)

Reconciliation - Year 3 - Term 4

Reconciliation Year 3D and Year 3MW: Thursday 5th November 5.30pm 

Reconciliation Parent/Child Workshop Evening: Tuesday 15th October  6.45 to 7.45pm

Parish of Good Shepard & St Justin's

All enquiries please email: ISEbroidery@mail.com

New Mass Times

On Thursday night, our Year 6 students attended a Confirmation Workshop Evening alongside a parent or guardian. This session provided a wonderful opportunity for families to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation and to engage in meaningful discussion together.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening. We hope it was a valuable and enriching experience for all our Confirmation candidates and their families. A special thank you to Mrs Snell and Father Andrew for their continued guidance and support.