Mary MacKillop

St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop is the patron saint of Australia. Her feast day is celebrated on August 8^th. On Monday 9^th, the children of St. Kevin’s were planning to pause to reflect on the incredible life and story of St. Mary MacKillop with a liturgy lead by Year One. Unfortunately, Lockdown got in the way! The children will experience a live performance about Mary MacKillop’s life later this year.

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on January 15, 1842. She was the eldest of eight children and she grew up very poor. She dedicated her life to educating the poor and gave hope to many. Mary was the founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph – the order that opened our wonderful school.

Mary was canonised eleven years ago at the Vatican. There were at least two miracles attributed to the intercession of Mary MacKillop. This is a very long process, and a miracle must have happened where there has been no medical healing involved.

In 1961, the Sisters of St. Joseph prayed for a Sydney woman’s healing through the intercession of Mary MacKillop. This woman of 23 had been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. She was cured and even with much investigation, doctors were unable to find any traces of cancer in her body. Her healing was unexplained in medical terms and was declared a miracle by the Church.

In1990, a second Miracle occurred. Kath Evans, a woman who lived in Windale was healed of incurable brain cancer. She had lived a life of faith and prayer. When Kath was told her cancer was incurable, she was gifted a relic of Mary MacKillop which she wore pinned to her clothing. Kath’s prayer from then on was through the intercession of Mary MacKillop. When her health began to improve, doctors investigated and all they could find was scar tissue and no cancer. Kath was in Rome for Mary’s Canonisation.

The prayer of intercession is very powerful and we are so blessed to learn under the banner of such a wonderful saint.

MJR Awards

A few weeks ago, I set a challenge for our wonderful Year 5/6 students; to create an artwork inspired by their faith that will be featured on our Making Jesus Real award each fortnight. The artworks I have received so far are outstanding, deep and meaningful. It’s very special to feature our young artists on this award which recognises the multitude of ways the children make Jesus visible and very much alive in our school.

Mia B created this beautiful work of art which took pride of place on our awards at our most recent assembly. Thank you, Mia.

In my artwork, I drew Mary looking down at baby Jesus. It shows how Mary cared for Jesus. The different colours and patterns on her clothes represent the different people that Mary also cares for. I drew this to show how loving Mary was and is.
-Mia

What are we learning in Religion? 

Each newsletter, we will showcase a class and give you a little insight as to what they are learning about during Religion lessons. This week we hear from…   

                     Year 1!   

Year 1 have just finished their unit on prayer. We have learnt that prayer is a way that we connect with God. Our prayers can be a simple acknowledgement that we are in God’s presence. We might pray for many different reasons that reflect how we are feeling or what we are thinking. Our prayers may be in the form of spoken words, song, meditation or contemplation. We can pray anytime and anywhere.

 

Challenge: Can you take some time each day to connect with God?  

I hope you are all staying safe, well and sane during Lockdown! Please remember that we are all only a phone call or email away if you need us.

 

May God’s Spirit be with you all each day,   

Mrs Jasmina Boudan  

Religious Education Coordinator