Feast of Mary MacKillop - 8 August - Whole school Mass at 9:15

On Tuesday, 8 August, our school will unite with the parish community to honour St.

Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Australia's first and only saint, who played a pivotal role in establishing our school. Back in May 1900, Mother Mary MacKillop arrived at Helensburgh with her Sisters of St. Joseph and founded the school, starting with 56 pupils.

Mary took the religious name, Mary of the Cross.  Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children.  She and her Sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children.  She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of challenges, (often at the hands of Church authorities) and for her abiding trust in God's Providence.

In staff prayer this week, we reflected on the words of St. Mary MacKillop and our vocation as educators, following in the footsteps of the Josephite sisters here in Helensburgh.

Religious Literacy Assessment

On Monday 5 August our Year 4 students will sit the Religious Literacy Assessment Test. The Religious Literacy Assessment (RLA) in the Diocese of Wollongong is a Partners in Learning initiative between the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) and the Australian Catholic University (ACU). This initiative began in 2000.

This assessment project provides a sustained and systemic Diocesan approach to the documentation and reporting of students’ learning in the key learning area of Religious Education (RE) across the diocese and in particular, aspects of religious literacy. It is a means of celebrating and sharing the good news about students' learning in Religious Education and enables the story to be told on a continuing basis. 

Key Dates RE dates for this term:

Week 3:  Thursday 8th August, 9:15am  ~ St Mary of the Cross MacKillop K-6 Mass 

             Sunday 11th August, 8:30am - Kindergarten and Year 5 Buddy Mass

Week 4: Thursday 15th August, 9:15am ~ Feast of the Assumption K-6 Mass

Week 6: Thursday 29th August,9am Parish Mass ~ Years 1 & 6

             Friday 30th August  Fathers Day BBQ Brekkie, Liturgy in the playground

Week 8: Friday 13th September ~ Holy Cross Feast Day Celebrations (Grandparents)

Week 9: Thursday 19th September,9am Parish Mass ~ Years 2,3 & 4

Week 10: Thursday 26th September,9am Parish Mass ~ Years K & 5

Confirmation: Year 6 Parents - Please see COMPASS for enrolment details for the Sacrament of Confirmation

God of abundance,

As we approach the feast of Mary MacKillop,

strengthen us to walk the way of the cross in our own lives

and bring us to the glory of the resurrection.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

In Peace,

Mrs Debbie Turton 
Religious Education Coordinator