PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we come to the end of Week 4 and almost at the mid-point of the Term, I wonder where the time has gone. The HSC Trials are almost over and the selection process for the 2023 College Leaders is well under way. The Year 10 group also had a highly successful camp this week at The Tops Conference Centre at Stanwell Tops. I ask that all parent support their children in their learning by taking an interest in their work and providing conditions at home that allow them to flourish.
200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC MASS IN CAMPBELLTOWN
On Sunday 1st September, 1822, Fr John J Therry celebrated the first local Catholic mass. Originally planned to be held on Mawson Green, a sudden rain storm prevented the outdoor Mass, so the congregation raced to the unfinished St Peter’s Anglican Church nearby.
Fr Therry set about raising funds for the construction of a Catholic Church and on 27th July, 1834 offered the first mass in St John’s Catholic Church.
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION – AUGUST 15th
The Assumption of Mary, or simply The Assumption, is the taking up of the body of Virgin Mary to heaven. It signifies the end of her human life on earth. This event is one of the most important events in Christian community. The Assumption of Mary is one of the most relevant among all Marian Feasts and events associated with Mary. This day is considered as the heavenly birthday of the Virgin Mary.
Feast of the Assumption in Australia
The Assumption is a holy day of obligation. In Australia, Christian people are obliged to go to the church to attend the services in line with the Feast of the Assumption. The churches in Australia, especially the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are decorated with flowers and candles. In most cases, processions and parades are also organized by the ministry of church.
The readings, sermons and teachings in the Christian churches talks about lifting of the human body from the Blessed Virgin Mary to the heaven during the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. In Christian or Catholic schools, the students are taught of the story of the Assumption of Mary. There are also school activities that encourage the students to learn more about the story of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Orthodox community also celebrates the Assumption. They have fourteen-days of fasting in preparation to the celebration of taking up of human body of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Monday 15 August 2022 we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption - our Catholic belief that Mary was taken, body and soul, to enjoy eternal life. In celebrating this feast, the Church recalls how Mary’s life on earth ended - an apparent perfect ending to a perfectly lived life of grace and so in honouring her passing, we also honour her living.
What do we learn from Mary through the living of her life?
In a real and powerful way, Mary shows all of us what it means to live a life totally alive in Christ with an undivided will to participate in God’s purpose for her and for the world. Mary demonstrates a complete freedom and intention to place herself without reservation at the service of Christ and God’s kingdom. Her freedom to say ‘yes’ and respond to God’s call is unconditional and does not need to see the future outcome before trusting. Mary embraces God’s call and choice of her and needs nothing more to commit.
In the fullness of her faith and womanhood, Mary shows us that faith does not separate us from the world but actually makes us more open to and connected to it. With her ‘yes’ given in the mess of life’s circumstances, the midst of precariousness and unrecognised relationships or domestic life and poverty, she stands in solidarity with the poor and the victims of oppression, of gossip, of exclusion; with all those who, like her, have had to hold a dead child in their arms or flee their home for protection or asylum for their families.
This woman of Nazareth shines for those who always believe that God is in the mess and even in the darkness of suffering and death.
Mary shows us a glimpse of how the life of grace makes us more human and that in God’s presence we become completely ourselves; fully alive in body and soul. On this feast we celebrate her unique role as a true disciple of Jesus.
In Mary’s assumption, we stand on the promise that we can each make a difference in this world. (From CEDoW – CLEM team).
As you celebrate this Feast of the Assumption, how will you take up God’s invitation without having to know the outcome or the future?
A true expression of faith!
LOWES – UNIFORM PRICES
From the commencement of Term 4 there will be a price rise on school uniforms. Most items are rising by $1.00 but some will be slightly greater than this, up to $5.00. A new price list is below.