Feast Day of Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Friday, 8th August

This Friday, we come together as a school community to celebrate the Feast Day of Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint and a woman of faith, courage, and compassion.

Mary MacKillop was born in Victoria in 1842  and from a young age, she felt a strong calling to help others. While working as a teacher, Mary met Fr Julian Tenison Woods, a priest with a passion for providing education to children in rural and remote areas of Australia. Together, in 1866, they founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph, Australia's first religious order. That same year, they also opened the first free Catholic school in Penola, South Australia.

After taking her vows, Mary became known as Mary of the Cross. She dedicated her life to serving the poor and vulnerable, establishing orphanages, schools, hospitals, and homes for the homeless across Australia and New Zealand. Mary’s mission was not without hardship; she faced criticism, poverty, and even excommunication from the Church. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her faith, showing forgiveness and refusing to speak ill of those who opposed her.

Mary MacKillop was a strong female leader who, through her perseverance and trust in God, changed the lives of countless people. She passed away on 8th August 1909, aged 67. Her legacy lives on, and in 1995, Pope John Paul II declared her “Blessed,” the first step toward sainthood. She was officially canonised as a saint in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming Australia’s first saint.

As we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day, we honour her example of faith in action by continuing her mission of service. Students are invited to wear non-uniform and bring in cash donations in support of MacKillop House, a local service that provides crisis accommodation for women and families in need. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to live out Mary’s motto:  “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Let us follow in the footsteps of Mary of the Cross MacKillop, responding to the needs of others with open hearts, generosity and faith.

Confirmation – Important Dates and Information

Registrations for the Sacrament of Confirmation have now closed. The Sacrament will be celebrated across three evenings: 16th, 17th, and 18th of September at St Michael’s and St Monica’s churches.

To ensure candidates are fully prepared, the following commitments are required:

• Attend two Parish-led formation sessions at St Monica’s Church with at least one parent:
  
  
  • Thursday, 7th August | 6:00–7:00pm
    
    
  • Thursday, 4th September | 6:00–7:00pm
    
    
• Complete a family-based workbook program during the preparation period.
  
  
• Participate in a Confirmation Retreat Day, supported by both St Michael’s and St Monica’s Primary Schools on Thursday, 4th September.

Throughout the preparation, candidates will:

• Choose a Saint’s name and a sponsor.
  
  
• Reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism, which will be strengthened through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
  
  

For any enquiries, please contact Leanne Smith, Sacramental Coordinator for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, at BelconnenNorth@cg.org.au, or Erika Tokich at erika.tokich@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Feast of the Assumption

On Friday, 15th August, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most significant feast days in the Catholic calendar. This day is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics around the world are called to attend Mass and reflect on the importance of Mary in our faith.

The Assumption of Mary is a central teaching of the Catholic Church. It tells us that after Mary, the Mother of Jesus, completed her earthly life, she was assumed—body and soul—into Heaven. This moment marks not only the end of her life on Earth but also her reunion with her Son, Jesus Christ. The Assumption is a powerful reminder of God’s promise of eternal life and the special role Mary holds as the first and most faithful disciple.

To honour and celebrate Mary, our community will gather to celebrate Mass at 12:00pm on Friday, 15th August at St Michael’s Church. We warmly invite all families to join us.