Dear Parents and Caregivers
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Saint for all Australians
August 8th
More than one hundred and fifty years ago in Penola, March 1866 St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Fr Julian Woods began the order of the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary was the first Sister and there was one school. By June 1867, both Julian and Mary had moved to Adelaide. At this time three more women became Sisters of St Joseph and four years later, there were 127 Sisters teaching in 43 St Joseph’s schools and managing four charitable institutions.
As their numbers increased, Sisters of St Joseph made foundations in Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria. At Mary’s passing in 1909 there were more than 600 Josephite Sisters, with teaching their main work. From the time of their foundation, the Sisters reached out to children without access to education especially those on the fringes of society: the poor, the alienated and those in remote areas especially those in Aboriginal communities.
From very small beginnings but large dreams Mary and Julian’s wonderful legacy continues today with Josephite schools all around Australia and New Zealand. St Joseph’s Memorial School at Bridge St, Kensington being one of them having been established 150 years ago. This coming Monday on her feast day – 8th August – we as a school and community celebrate 150 years of this positive influence that Mary has entrusted us to continue with a Liturgy and a Performance in the Performing Arts Studio at William St. We will then process to Bridge St for the 150th formalities and a special treat for recess and lunch. We extend an invitation to all our community to attend these celebrations.
In reflecting on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop to write my Newsletter article I started to think about how Mary MacKillop would have responded to the plight of refugees in our country and the world today. I feel sure she would have prayed and then acted, becoming one of their strongest advocates. She would have visited them in the detention centres, set up places for them to live in, made sure they were looked after in the community and probably would have met or written to the politicians who make the decisions about how Australia responds to refugees. She would have given the same energy and determination that she gave to the poor over a hundred years ago.
Sirap Publications put out an Educator’s Journal for teacher’s to use each year. Included in the Journal are notes and ideas for teachers to use in their classrooms around particular topics. I would like to share with you some of the insights they have included about Mary MacKillop from those who knew her.
One of Mary’s siblings: “Mary, you were always our ‘big’ sister; the one we looked up to for guidance and reassurance, especially when our parents were unable to provide a home in which we felt safe and secure. Thank you for sacrificing your youth in order to provide for us.”
Fr Julian Tenison Woods: “Mary, you were a true gift from God for me. Your vision to serve God through serving the poor and forgotten ones, and bring Catholic Education to rural Australia, matched my own dream. We made a great team!”
Student at Mary’s first school in Penola: “Mary, I loved coming to your school in that old stable in Penola. You gave all of us there the opportunity to learn so much. Without you, we would never have had that experience. What sticks in my mind, though, is what you taught us about God’s love for us, and about His Son, our friend and brother, Jesus. Thank you Mary.”
An ‘Aussie battler’: “Mary, you always had a special place in your heart for those ‘doing it tough and living rough’. You could see past our grubbiness, despondency and despair, always offering your hand to help us repair our lives. God’s love shone through you to us.”
An indigenous brother/sister: “Mary, you had a special love for our people. In your many travels through the heat and dust, you connected with our spirituality – the spirit of this great land we share. There were no boundaries between us. You became a special, Wise Woman to us, and our sister.”
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s motto through life is one that we all could try to live by:
“Never see a need without trying to do something about it.”
How Well Do We Know Our school?
Another beautiful area of our school. Have you seen it before, do you know where it is?
Sacramental Program 2022
The Sacrament of Reconciliation program has commenced with a very good number of children, and their families, turning up last Tuesday night for the first Meeting. The second meeting will be on Tuesday 6th September, Week 7 in the Parish Hall at 7pm. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on 8th September in the Church.
If you have any questions about the program or eligibility or; if you are considering starting your children’s Religious Journey with the Sacrament of Baptism, please contact Franco Canil at the School Office or email fcanil@sjms.catholic.edu.au.
This Week’s Sunday Readings are:
First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Also, as a quick reminder that Mass times at St Ignatius Church, Norwood are:
Saturday: (Vigil) 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am, 10:00am, 5:00pm
Image: Mary MacKillop portait drawn by Ella (Year 5).
“We are all a reflection of God’s love”
Franco Canil
Acting APRIM