Grandparents Day

Grandparents, thank you for your gracious presence and heartfelt participation in our Feast Day of Saints Anne and Joachim. Your love, faith, and example enrich our community and remind us of the profound vocation of guiding the next generation.

We are deeply grateful for the time you shared with us, the joy you brought to our celebration, and the witness of family life you offer our students each day. May Saints Anne and Joachim continue to bless you and your families abundantly.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Sleep out

Our school community came together last week for our annual Winter Sleepout, an evening dedicated to deepening our understanding of homelessness and strengthening our commitment to supporting those in need. It was a powerful experience for our students, marked by meaningful conversations, faith‑filled reflection, and a shared desire to make a difference.

We were honoured to welcome Jenny Faber from St Vincent de Paul, who spoke to our students about the vital work Vinnies undertakes to support people experiencing homelessness. Jenny’s stories and insights helped our young people understand the realities faced by many in our community and the importance of practical, compassionate action.

Later in the evening, Father Lam and Brother Stephen, Capuchin Friars, joined us to share the life and example of St Francis of Assisi. They spoke beautifully about St Francis’ profound love for the poor and how his legacy continues today through their ministry with those who are homeless and vulnerable. Their presence added a rich spiritual dimension to the night, reminding us that caring for the poor is at the heart of our Catholic mission.

Thanks to the generosity of our families and the efforts of our students, we are delighted to share that so far our school raised $770.00 for St Vincent de Paul. This contribution will directly support individuals and families in need, offering warmth, dignity, and hope during the colder months. If you would like to continue to donate please use the link below:

https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/st-francis-xavier-winter-sleepout

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all parents, students, and staff who supported the Winter Sleepout. Your compassion and commitment continue to strengthen our community and reflect the Gospel call to love and serve others.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St Francis of Assisi

Mary Mackillop prayer service

We warmly invite all families to join us for our Mary MacKillop Prayer Service, a special celebration honouring the Feast Day of Australia’s first saint, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. This beautiful liturgy will be led by our Year 6 leaders together with our Kindergarten students, who will guide us in prayer and reflection as we celebrate Mary’s life of courage, compassion, and service.

The prayer service will take place in the church at 9:15am on Friday, 7 August.

We look forward to gathering as a community to honour Mary MacKillop’s enduring message to “never see a need without doing something about it,” and to celebrate the way her legacy continues to inspire our school today.

We hope you can join us for this meaningful celebration of faith and community.

Mary Mackillop's Feast day

Mary MacKillop (Mary of the Cross) is celebrated by the Church on 8 August. She is a powerful model for Catholic families because her life shows how faith in God becomes concrete love especially toward those who are poor, vulnerable, and overlooked.

A life of holiness rooted in the Church

In 2010 the Church canonized Mary MacKillop, affirming that her holiness was genuine and universal—offering her as a sure guide for the whole Church, not only for Australia. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the “feast of holiness” being renewed through the canonization of the new saints, including Mary MacKillop.

Pope John Paul II also highlighted that Mary MacKillop’s life was a sign of “spiritual greatness” and “personal holiness” joined to service for the common good.

“Pray without tiring”: faith expressed through perseverance

One central theological lesson from the canonization celebration was the need to pray always, without growing weary. Pope Benedict XVI explained that when we get tired of prayer, we may start relying only on activity and human means until we stop turning to God. Jesus’ teaching, however, calls believers to persist in prayer with faith, because God is merciful and ready to listen.

This matters for parents because Mary MacKillop’s work was never treated as mere human achievement. Her perseverance amid difficulty is presented as a lived expression of prayer and trust in God.

Love of God and love of neighbour, especially for the weak

Pope John Paul II summarized Mary MacKillop’s greatness in concrete Christian virtues: openness to others, hospitality to strangers, generosity to the needy, justice for those unfairly treated, perseverance in adversity, and kindness toward the suffering.

He also stated that her love had a clear direction: because the love of God “inflamed her heart,” she “tenaciously defended the weak, the poor, the suffering and all those on the margins of society,” working particularly to help women and families in distress and to eradicate ignorance among the young.

That is a deeply theological point: charity is not optional decoration in the Christian life it flows from the love of God and becomes visible in choices, priorities, and practical service.

Inner peace that comes from being loved by God

For your newsletter, it can be helpful to name the “why” behind her goodness. Pope John Paul II described Mary MacKillop’s lesson as anchored in inner peace the peace that comes from knowing one is loved by God and responding to that love with confidence and courage.

This is not sentimental optimism. It’s a theological confidence grounded in God’s love and providence, something that can strengthen families when life feels tiring, uncertain, or stressful.

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