Prayer:

This fortnight’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 Monday, 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 best 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.

2023 St Joseph’s Parish Sacramental Dates:

First Eucharist - 8:30am, Sunday 20th August, 2023 at St Joseph’s Church

Rite 2 Reconciliation - Friday 18th August, 11.45am at St Joseph’s Church, Gunnedah (Week 5, Term 3)

Retreat Day - Friday 18th August, St Xavier’s Primary School

First Reconciliation - 6pm, Tuesday 19th September, 2023 at St Joseph’s Church

Parent Night - Thursday 24th August, 6pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Week 6, Term 3)

Rite of Enrolment - Saturday 26th August (6pm) OR Sunday 27th August (8:30pm), at St Joseph’s Church

Retreat Day - Tuesday 19th September, St Xavier’s Primary School (Week 10, Term 3)

2023 Sacrament of First Eucharist:

Preparations are underway for the Sacrament of First Eucharist, which will be held in our parish on the 20th August. Most of our candidates were enrolled in the program during Saturday night’s and Sunday morning’s Mass. Any students who were unable to enrol last weekend are required to enrol this Saturday night. If this is not possible, please email mfrend@arm.catholic.edu.au to work out an alternative.

Combined Schools Mass - Tuesday 15th August

On Tuesday 15th August, St Xavier’s and St Mary’s are gathering together in the St Xavier’s Hall to celebrate Mass for one of the Church’s most significant dates, and Holy Day of Obligation - the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This combined Mass will commence at 9:15am and will feature students from both schools undertaking various roles in the Mass.

St Xavier’s Religious Education Professional Development - Monday 17th July

On the first day of Term 3, teachers from St Xavier’s and St Michael’s Manilla gathered for a day of professional development which was facilitated by Dr Dan White. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with Scripture as Dan took us through his program, titled Seven Steps to Mystery, viewing several passages in-line with cultural perspectives from Jesus’ time.

Parish News

Altar Server Roster for July & August:

Saturday 29th June (6pm): Katrina Martin

Sunday 30th June (8:30am): Volunteers

To read about what’s happening in our parish, please visit this link to read the Parish Bulletin for the week starting Sunday 23rd July.

The Learning Zone

Term 3 LWLW Class Representatives