Sacrament of Confirmation

The Confirmation Retreat Day is being held today at St Francis Xavier High School. We look forward to our session with the Youth Ministry Team. A reminder that the $30 dollars can be paid via Qkr! or cash in a labelled envelope.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - 8 August 

St Mary of the Cross was a very courageous woman who met every challenge she faced with great dignity and graciousness.  Her feast day is celebrated today.

Mary was born in 1842 in Melbourne, the eldest of eight children. The family was extremely poor and suffered many hardships over the years. At the age of 14, Mary began work as a governess giving her wages to the family. Mary worked in many different positions until 1860 when she went to Penola, South Australia as governess to her aunt’s children. It was here that Mary met Fr Julian Tenison Woods and the dream of establishing a religious order began. In 1865 Mary established a school in Penola using a disused stable. On March 19 1866, Mary became the first Sister of St Joseph. The order continued to grow, teaching and making outreach to the poor, orphans, prisoners, the homeless – a significant difference to other religious orders of the time. Pope John Paul 11 beatified Mary MacKillop on January 15 1995. She was canonised on October 17 2010. Mary MacKillop was an extraordinary Australian whose legacy continues today across the globe.

Mary MacKillop Prayer

Ever generous God, You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop to live her life inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were lonely, disheartened or needy. With confidence in your generous providence and joining with St Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our request…………….We ask that our faith and hope be inspired afresh by the Holy Spirit, so that we too, like Mary MacKillop may live with courage, trust and openness. Ever present God, hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ Amen.

On Saturday 12 August the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage will take place. Archbishop Christopher will lead a procession of cars from the Cathedral to Star of the Sea Church Eden. Eden has special significance to Mary MacKillop as her mother was on board the Ly- ee-Moon when it sank off the coast at Eden in 1886 with only 15 survivors. Mrs MacKillop did not survive. She was buried at Greencape until she was taken to Sydney for reburial. Mary always valued the care extended to her mother following this disaster and sent Sisters from her Order to live and work in Eden, which continues to this day.

Feast of the Assumption

The school will celebrate this Feast day of Mary next week with a whole school mass. You are most welcome to attend.