The Feast of the Assumption 

August 15 is a major feast day in our Catholic faith. It is the day that we commemorate and celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, body and soul.  The Feast of the Assumption remains a holy day of obligation. In 1950 Pope Pius XII solemnly proclaimed as a divinely revealed truth "that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, on the completion of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven."  Even in the early church, this feast has been celebrated on August 15.  We gathered yesterday to celebrate Mass in honour of this special feast day.  Fr Loi spoke to the children about Mary’s love for her son- and his inability to refuse her pleas. 

Sacrament of Confirmation 

Last Thursday the Students of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish travelled to St Francis Xavier High School to participate in the Confirmation Retreat Day. We gathered (out of the rain) in the Middle School building- which was a wonderfully open, welcoming space. The day began with prayer, then there was an exploration of the text Galatians 5:16-17, 22-25-the fruits of the spirit. Following morning tea we were joined by our parish youth worker- Monica Coulas and the youth ministry team from St Francis Xavier. These young people (from Yr 7, 8, 9, 10) had prepared four different activities for the students to enjoy. Guided meditation, Hidden Keys, Holy Spirit Bingo, Fruits of the Spirit craft. Following a pizza lunch - yum, and some time outside, we continued our day with a reflection on our letters of affirmation from parents and sponsors. Fr Loi and Sr Kate joined us for a time. What a wonderful day! Many thanks to all involved.

REMINDER- Parent and Child night St Michael’s School Thursday 22 August 6:00pm

Social Justice Sunday

We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 29 September. This year, the Australian Bishop’s Social Justice Statement is titled: ‘Making it Real: Genuine human encounter in our digital world.’ It shares Pope Francis’ challenge to us to ‘boldly become citizens of the digital world.’ It points out that we are called not just to be inhabitants of this world, but active citizens shaping it.

For further details visit www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au