Principal News

Last Monday, 8th August was the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), Australia’s one and only saint! Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne. On 8 August 1909, she died, having suffered a disabling stroke in 1902. Inspired by a meeting with Fr. Julian Tenison-Woods, Mary MacKillop took her vows at the age of twenty five, and the religious name, “Mary of the Cross”. In doing so, she founded the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph. Soon after taking her religious vows, Mary MacKillop founded several schools. Within five years of taking her vows and founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Mary had established over thirty schools in South Australia. By that time, more than one hundred women had joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.Members of the congregation use the initials RSJ (Religious Sisters of St Joseph) after their name.

Both St Mary’s Yoogali, St Joseph’s Leeton and St Francis De Sales Leeton are local schools which were taught by Sisters of St Joseph. The sisters along with the Marist Brothers, the Christian Brothers and the Patrician Brothers were celebrated and thanked in a special Mass honouring their participation in Catholic Education in the Wagga Wagga diocese last Wednesday.

See more about her wonderful life on the link below

https://reonline.sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/2021/08/01/feast-of-st-mary-of-the-cross-mackillop/

Dear Parents, Students and Friends

The HSC Trial examinations have been taking place over the past two weeks with only Extension Modern History and catch up exams on Monday. The Marcellin Hall has been the location of most exams and I thank everyone for their patience and tolerance of the occasional noise disruptions from next door as the final building work takes place in our new Technology Block. We are expecting the official opening to take place in early November, with classes moving in well before that time.

During the past week I have attended the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga

 Principals’ meeting, where I was farewelled from the Principals’ Association after 15 years as a member. It was a reminder that my time at Marian is nearing a close with a Farewell Assembly at 10am on Friday 26 August. Due to restrictions in our hall, the event will be zoomed via our College Facebook site. I will have one more newsletter to write on that day!

Finally, Monday is a Holy Day of Obligation for the Feast of the Assumption. A glorious day to reflect on the life of Our Lady and Mother “Mary”- the name of our college derives from her, Marian Catholic College. Masses are listed on parish web sites and Mr Abdala has placed more information in this newsletter.

Peace and Best Wishes

Alan Le Brocque

Principal