R.E Report

Feast Day of Mary MacKillop

Wednesday August 8 is the Feast Day of Australia's first and only saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Years 7 to 10 will attend mass in De La Salle Chapel at 9.15. Parents, parishioners and friends are very welcome.

In 1866 Mary began teaching poor children in Penola from an old stable. More women joined Mary and the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph was formed. As more women joined the Josephites, more schools throughout Australia and New Zealand were established to provide free Catholic Education. The sisters opened orphanages, refuge centres for the poor and regularly visited the elderly, sick, needy and those in prison. Mary had her trials and tribulations with finances and the clergy but she was resilient and determined to carry out her mission. She died on August 8, 1909 in Alma Cottage North Sydney.

Prayer

O God, source of all goodness, who has shown us in Saint Mary a woman of faith living by the power of the Cross, teach us we pray, by her example to live the Gospel in changing times and to respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land. Amen

The Feast of the Assumption

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is on August 15. It is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. All O’Connor students will attend Mass at De La Salle Chapel at 9.15am except year 11 students who will join with students from St Mary’s Primary School for Mass at the Cathedral at 12.00pm. Students will travel by bus to and from the Cathedral. 

‘Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!' (Luke 1:45) Having completed the course of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Her assumption reminds us that heavenly glory is our Christian destiny. As we keep the end of life’s pilgrim journey before us, we join with Mary in praising the greatness of God.

 

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

Amen.

NAIDOC Week

Many thanks to Mr Russell, Olivia, Kate and all the ATSI students who did such a great job of celebrating indigenous culture culminating in a beautiful prayer service and assembly where our guest Mr Dennison spoke to theme of "Because of Her....We Can!. Mr Dennison spoke of the the often unsung work and wisdom of Aboriginal women in the local community.

 

 

Damian Roff

R.E Coordinator

Year 11 Retreat

There are still outstanding notes for the year 11 retreat to Sydney. It is important that they are returned as soon as possible