Mission

Honouring Mary in the month of May

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of the Church and therefore the example, guide and inspiration, of everyone who seeks God through their lives, work and mission. During the month of May, we hold Mary as our focus of prayer and intention, allowing her grace and peace to fulfil and sustain us through challenging times.

Let us remember that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their families; bringing up their children, and taking care of their homes. Mary sanctifies the ordi­nary, the everyday things some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: everyday work, filled with compassion for those closest to you, like visits to friends and relatives. These ordinary blessings shared with such great love. These are the simple things that the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted for us, the things we appreciate now, more than ever.

Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, our families and loved ones, the protection of your angels, that we may be spared the worst of this virus.

For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and the love of God.

In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us to love one another and to be patient and kind.

Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. 

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, and help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Edmund Rice Feast Day - 5 May 2020

On 5 May each year we celebrate the legacy and the power of the story of Edmund Rice. It is truly honoured through the work of our schools in educating our young people today.

The feast day of Blessed Edmund Rice has been celebrated on May 5th since his beatification by the then Pope John Paul II in 1996. The Pope spoke of Edmund as "a shining example of the fruitfulness of the Christian Life. Here we have an outstanding model of a true lay apostle and a deeply committed Religious."

In times such as these, when our world is in crisis with a global pandemic and there are many challenges and unknowns ahead, we often look to our founders for guidance in how they managed adversity and coped with the ravages of social change. Edmund challenged the ailing system of his time. He could not disregard those in need even if his own life was disturbed.

“A man of indefatigable zeal and charity, endowed with great prudence, energy and perseverance”.

Edmund first laid the foundation of an educational system for the children of the Catholic poor of Ireland. Whilst we may not be called to emulate all that Edmund was and did in his following of Jesus, we can certainly undertake the challenge in our own families and communities of proclaiming the love of God in Christ Jesus.

ANZAC Day Commemoration Liturgy

When our students returned for the commencement of Term 2 we acknowledged ANZAC Day in Homegroups with a Commemoration Liturgy.

Despite being in an online environment, it was essential to remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war.

We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. Today we dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice and peace; and for the wisdom and strength to build a better world, together as a people united.

We pray for and acknowledge the contribution of service men in the Australian Armed Forces who served on battle grounds throughout history, and those who continue to serve us today. We give thanks for their courage and sacrifice.

We pray for and acknowledge the contribution of Women in service roles. Those who sought to serve and protect their country and their freedom. We continue to be humbled by those who contribute to our peaceful existence today. May we continue to fight for those, who cannot fight for themselves.

We pray for and acknowledge the contribution of over 7,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans and war widows in the Australian community today. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice. We remember the past and pray for a reconciled future.

For families who have lost loved ones through war and in conflict. May they find peace and comfort in the presence of God’s love. We offer our gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice, lives cut short, lived in honourable duty.

For all those who have lived, or are living through the perils of war. May world leaders work to help us all feel safe and secure where we live. May we take lessons from the past and dedicate our future to a peaceful co-existence.

We pray for all political leaders amidst the challenging time of COVID-19. May they be inspired by the spirit of the ANZACs and may their continued efforts restore health and harmony to our nations. We look forward to a socially connected future, one in which we can unite in the common goals of peace, health and wellbeing for all.

Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission