Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop / Year 5 visit to Mary MacKillop Place

St Columbkille’s reverently commemorated Mary MacKillop’s feast day on Tuesday, with prayers from our Year 6 Leaders of Faith and Year 4 leading the singing. It was a lovely celebration with the students receiving a prayer card to remember and live out Mary’s important sayings. Special thanks to Ms Finlay-Joseph for organising our beautiful liturgy.

Our Year 5 students are lucky enough to be visiting Mary MacKillop Place next Thursday 17th August.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On Tuesday 15th August Years 4, 5 & 6 will celebrate this feast day with our parishioners in St Columbkille’s Church. We remember Mary on this day, as she was taken up to heaven both body and soul. We continually pray to our mother Mary in heaven in times of need and for her guidance. You are very welcome to join us in the church on this day.

As we lead into the preparation for the feast day of St Mary MacKillop on the 8 August, it is important to reflect upon the strength and vitality she gained from prayer. ‘All depends on prayer’ she said. Her courageous spirit finding the wallaby track to get to the communities who needed support and help; the discernment she demonstrated as a leader; the modelling of love she showed and the inspiration as a teacher to empower others and give hope that became legendary, needed an enduring nourishment- her prayer life critical to her missionary zeal. 

Luigi Gioia, in ‘Touched by God’ writes ‘The role of preachers, teachers, doctors, ministers has been acknowledged since the beginning of Christianity. Without them, there would have been no Scripture and nobody would have known the Good News. Jesus did not write anything, but chose disciples instead, entrusted his message to them and sent them to proclaim it to the whole world. And yet the teaching imparted by those who claim to speak in God’s name is effective only insofar as it is echoed by the anointment within. Mary MacKillop’s interior life, fuelled by prayer, is an example for us in the Australian context of a missionary giant bringing life to those on the peripheries. 

The Sisters of St Joseph model her spirit in the significant work of care that shows the Catholic Church at its best. They invite us on the journey with MacKillop by setting aside a prayer practice…

Sit quietly, 
breathe in life. 
Breathe out peace. 
Breathe in life. Breathe out peace. Breathe in life.
Breathe out peace.                                 

St Columbkille's Parish - Refurbishing Pews

As you maybe aware, our Parish is refurbishing pews at a cost of $1500. The Parish is calling on volunteers to support this endeavour. The work includes removing the pews, sanding and coating with stain. The next working bee is on this Saturday 12 August. If you are able to assist, please contact Alice Weber on 0429 621 949. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Sacramental Update

Our First Holy Communion students are continuing to attend weekend Masses and take part in our Children's Liturgy. The workbooks will be given out shortly.

Just a reminder the compulsory First Holy Communion Lessons will be held on Sunday October 22nd and Sunday October 29, with a Google form to choose a weekend for their ceremony: 11/12 November, 18/19 November, 25/26 November (at the 6pm and 9.30am Masses)

Year 2 Reconciliation enrolment dates will be advised shortly, with the actual sacrament being conferred on Thursday 30th November during school time.

Family / Parish Mass

Thank you to all those who were involved in, or attended, our Family/Parish Mass last weekend. It was a lovely celebration on the Sunday morning. Our next date will be Sunday 3rd September (Father’s Day). If you would like to read please let me know.

Friday Masses

Father Anthony is once again leading Mass with certain grades each Friday. Please know you are most welcome to join us in celebrating the Eucharist. This week is Year 6 followed by Year 4 on Friday 18th August, Year 5 on Friday 8th September, Year 4 on Friday 15th September and Year 6 (the final day of term) Friday 22nd September.

Father’s Day Celebrations

On Friday 1st September our school will pay tribute to all our father figures (dads, grandads, pops, uncles, brothers etc) with a lunch and liturgy celebration. RSVP’s need to be received by Monday 28th August at info.sccdow@catholic.edu.au. We look forward to acknowledging and celebrating with all our special father figures.