August 8 is always a special day for our school community. Last Thursday, we celebrated the Feast Day St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. We started the day with a beautiful Mass led by Fr Peter, followed by a picnic lunch. 

During the Mass Sr Julie reminded us of the importance of taking time to pray and give thanks for the life of Mary MacKillop, her influence on our world and her legacy as a woman of inspiration and deep faith. Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Together, they responded to the educational needs of poor and isolated children, establishing the first Josephite school in Penola, SA, in 1866. Their mission continued with schools opening across Australia, including our own school, with the Sisters' arrival in 1880. 

As a school community, we are deeply grateful for the presence of Sr Julie among us. Her work with children, families, and staff is a living example of the legacy of St Mary of the Cross. This Charism influences all we do and the values, such as care, compassion and respect, which were so important to St Mary of the Cross, permeate into the core of who Sr Julie is and who we aspire to be as a Catholic community founded in her traditions. 

Feast of the Assumption

Today, Thursday, 15 August we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption - our Catholic belief that Mary was taken, body and soul, to enjoy eternal life. In celebrating this feast, the Church recalls how Mary’s life on earth ended - an apparent perfect ending to a perfectly lived life of grace and so in honouring her passing, we also honour her living. Mary shows us a glimpse of how the life of grace makes us more human and that in God’s presence, we become completely ourselves, fully alive in body and soul. On this feast, we celebrate her unique role as a true disciple of Jesus.

Take Care

Justin Devlin

Principal