Celebrating Our Faith
Term 3 Prayer Dates
Prayer Service for the Assumption of Mary - Monday 16th August 9:05am (Hall).
Prayer Service for Father's Day - Friday 3rd September, 10:15am (MPA).
At this time we are unable to invite families to these.
Mary Mackillop Celebration
On Monday we celebrated the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop (8th August) in a whole school prayer led by our Year 5 team. The celebration recalled Mary MacKillop’s work to bring God to the poor and marginalised in Australia’s early history. Mary created the Josephite order, named after Saint Joseph, and her order spread far and wide, reaching Port Macquarie. In 1913, four Josephite sisters began our school, St Joseph’s. The values and charism of Mary MacKillop and the Josephites lives on in our school today with our staff and students dedicated to values of humility and compassion for those in need, with a view that all members of our community are ‘One in Christ’.
Please enjoy this beautiful song that contains footage from the year of Saint Mary’s canonisation as Australia’s first Saint.
The Assumption of Our Lady Celebration
This coming Sunday, 15th August is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. This celebration highlights the Catholic teaching that Mary, the mother of our Lord and Mother of the Universal Church, was assumed into heaven body and soul. This celebration reminds us of Mary’s role in the salvation of mankind, evidenced by many approved apparitions such as Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, 1917. Many of the Religious Education programs this term have included learning about Mary, our Mother as we seek to respond to the call to pray the Rosary. Please offer a prayer to Our Lady for our school and broader community for the protection during this pandemic, for those who are suffering mental health difficulties due to lockdowns and isolation and for all needs of those who are unwell at this time.
The whole school will gather to celebrate the Assumption of Mary on Monday 16th August in the morning.
Father’s Day celebration
A celebration has been scheduled for Friday 3rd September for fathers and father-figures in the lives of our children and staff. We endeavour to be as inclusive of our community despite the restrictions in place and appreciate your understanding.
St Joseph’s Winter Appeal
The Mini Vinnies Team are running our St Joey’s Winter Appeal. We are collecting warm clothes and blankets for those in need. Students can donate scarfs, beanies, jumpers or blankets by bringing them to school. This appeal will run until the end of Winter (August). We hope we can help our local charities such as St Vincent De Paul who take our donations to the people who need it. Many thanks in advance for your support.
More information can be found: https://catholicoutlook.org/vinnies-launches-2021-winter-appeal-to-support-homelessness/
Journey into the Faith
Nathan Porter
Assistant Principal Mission