Whole School Focus: Come Holy Spirit

As our theme for this year is ‘Come Holy Spirit’, we have been continuing to use scripture to explore how the Holy Spirit is represented visually. This term we have been exploring the image of the Holy Spirit as a dove. Thank you to Mrs Jane McKeough who has been collaborating with our students to create displays around our school that symbolise the Holy Spirit as a dove. Mrs McKeough also created a new banner for this term displaying our whole school theme. We are very lucky to have Mrs McKeough and her artistic talent at St Michael’s.

Saint Mary of the Cross

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast day of Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint. Mary MacKillop was born in Victoria, the eldest of 8 children. While working as a teacher, she met and was inspired by Fr Tennison Woods who wanted to provide education to children in the outback. In 1866, along with Fr Tennison she founded Australia’s first religious order, the Congregation of Sisters of St Joseph and opened the first Catholic school. After her vows she became known as Mary of the Cross. Mary spent her life giving and caring for others by opening orphanages, homes for the homeless, schools and hospitals. Throughout her life Mary faced fierce opposition and was even excommunicated. In the face of trial, Mary showed forgiveness, insisting no ill be spoken to those who wronged her. Mary was a remarkable, strong female leader in Australia during the 1800s. She died on the 8^thAugust 1909 at the age of 67. Pope John Paul II declared that she could become Australia’s first saint on January 9^th, 1995.

Prayer for Mary Mac Killop

God of compassion, God of all people,

 we praise you for your servant, Mary MacKillop,

 who gave her life to serve amongst the poor and oppressed.

As she is honoured in our world,

may we continue to learn to share her vision.

Be with us as we strive to follow her and

carry out her mission of service and care.

Amen

Key Dates RE for Term 3

Please feel free to contact me for all Religious Education enquiries via my email: emily.orourke@cg.catholic.edu.au