Prayer

Today’s prayer asks for St Mary of the Cross Mackillop’s intercession in an area of personal need. St Mary of the Cross Mackillop’s solemnity is this coming Saturday, the 8th August.

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.

Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross - August 8th

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. We celebrate her Solemnity each year on the 8th August.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 15th August

Saturday week 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.”

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.

Upcoming Sacraments

Sacrament of First Reconciliation (Year 2) - Thursday 17th September

If your child is in Years 3-6 and has missed the Sacrament of First Reconciliation for some reason, and you would like them to participate in this Sacramental Program next term, please contact Mal Frend as soon as possible at mfrend@arm.catholic.edu.au to discuss your options.

Information Packs for First Reconciliation will be distributed shortly, and the enrolment period begins this weekend, continuing until the Sacrament is made in September.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion (Year 3) - 17/18th October
Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 6) - 14th/15th November

Catholic Schools Week - 26th July - 1st August

Last week, St Xavier’s, and all other Catholic schools in our diocese, celebrated Catholic Schools Week.

Lolly Guessing Competition

Last week, three students from Year 3 - Molly, Maggie and Lara - initiated a Lolly Guessing competition to raise much-needed funds for Catholic Missions. By the end of the competition, the girls will have given up their lunchtime play for a fortnight, not including all the time they’ve put into creating posters to promote their stall. As of last week, they had already raised over $40, so they’re hoping to be close to the $100 mark by the end of this week. Well done girls, and thank you to everyone who has participated in this competition by donating your money to help make others’ lives better.

Kinder Visit to the Church

On Thursday last week, Kindergarten students walked over to St Joseph’s Church to meet Fr Vince and to have a look at what our church looks like, particularly the items our parish uses during Mass. The students enjoyed looking at the Stations of the Cross, the Paschal Candle and the Baptismal font. The special objects in the Sanctuary, the Altar and the Tabernacle, were huge points of interest. Fr Vince also showed the students the different-coloured chausibles the priests wear depending on the liturgical season the church is in. Kindergarten would like to thank Fr Vince for assisting with their lesson and being so good at showing the children around the Sanctuary.

News from the Parish

Masses are being held in accordance with Government regulations, until further notice. There is a limit of 50 people at any one Mass. If you wish to attend Mass, please register with the Parish Office on (02) 67420200 between 8:30am-12:30pm weekdays. Entrance to the Church is by the front door (weekend Masses) or the side door (weekday Masses).

Mass times are as follows:

Saturdays

4:00pm Sacred heart Church, Boggabri

6:00pm St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah

Sundays

8:30am St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah

11:00am St Therese’s Church, Mullaley (1st & 3rd Sunday of the month)

11:00am Mary Immaculate Church, Tambar Springs (2nd & 4th Sunday of the month)

Weekdays

9:15am Tuesdays (No Mass Tues 28th July), Wednesdays, Thursdays St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah

11:00am and 5:30pm Fridays St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah (two Masses on Fridays until further notice; both fulfill weekend obligation for those unable to attend weekend Mass)

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