Prayer

Ever generous God,

You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop

To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and constant in bringing hope and encouragement

to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.

With confidence in your generous providence

and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop

We ask that you grant our request……………….

We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit

so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.

Ever generous God hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Wk 3 Primary Mass - Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross

At 9:30am tomorrow, all primary students and teachers will be attending Mass at St Joseph’s Church to mark the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross. All St Xavier’s parents and families are invited to celebrate Mass with us.

You may know St Mary of the Cross as her birth name, Mary Mackillop. She was an Australian nun who, along with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor, particularly in country areas. St Mary Mackillop was canonised on 17 October 2010 during a public ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, and is the Patron saint of Australia, Brisbane and the Knights of the Southern Cross. She remains the only Australian to be recognised by the Roman Catholic Church as a saint.

Since Mary is closely associated with all the mysteries of Jesus’ life, it is not surprising that the Holy Spirit has led the Church to believe in Mary’s share in his glorification. So close was she to Jesus on earth, she must be with him body and soul in heaven.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Next Thursday 15 August, marks the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For Catholics, this is a Holy Day of Obligation.

In 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”

Infants Liturgy

The next Infants Liturgy will be held at St Joseph’s Church at midday on Thursday 22 August. All St Xavier’s parents and families are invited to attend.

Primary Reconciliation

Starting in Week 4 this term, primary students who are Catholic and have made the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be attending Reconciliation at the Chapel on Fridays. Year 6 will be attending first, followed by Year 5, and finally Year 4. Year 3 students attended Reconciliation at the end of Term 2 as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

St Joseph’s Parish Altar Servers

The following children are rostered on for Altar Serving. Please make arrangements with another person if your child is unable to attend.

Saturday 10 August - Harry and Phoebe Paul, Zoe Head

Sunday 11 August - Ellyn, Cooper and Toby Blinman

Saturday 17 August - Mitchell Herden, Josie Naismith, Lucas and Cooper Blair

Sunday 18 August - Tom, Daisy and Holly Sheedy

Important Sacrament Dates 2019

First Reconciliation (Year 2) - Thursday 19th September

Preparations are underway for this term’s Reconciliation Sacramental Program. If you are the parent/carer of a child making their Sacrament of Reconciliation this term and cannot make next week’s (Thursday 15 August, 6.00 pm) Parent Information Night, please phone Fr John on (02) 6742 0200 and make arrangements to catch up on the information you will miss.

Important Dates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Parent Information Night: Thursday 15 August 6.00 pm (following the 5:30pm Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Enrolment Mass: Saturday 17 August 6.00 pm OR Sunday 18 August 8.30 am
First Reconciliation Retreat Day: Thursday 19 September, 9am
Sacrament of First Reconciliation: Thursday 19 September 6.00 pm

Term 4: Confirmation (Year 6) - Sunday 3rd November

Information will be going home later this term about the Parent Information Night for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child is eligible to make this Sacrament (that is, they are Catholic, currently in Yr 6, and have made the Sacraments of First Reconciliation AND First Eucharist), please stay tuned for the release of information that will occur towards the end of term.

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