Mary McKillop had a tough life, she was born into a large family where the children had to work hard to provide for the whole family, they were often well below the poverty line and there were negative issues of her time that still affect families today. Even though this was her circumstance the family believed in the value of education and Mary believed in the providence of God. Back in the mid 1800’s life in rural Victoria and South Australia would have been difficult, the people in these rural places were poor with no real access to education, especially Catholics and Aboriginals, and in many ways isolated from the thriving colonies during the gold rush days.

Mary moved into these areas and times, originally living and teaching on a property however quickly realising the needs of all the children living around her. Mary, with the guidance and support from Father Julian Tenison Woods set about changing the world that she was a part of. To Mary, all children were deserving of an education and so she set about creating schools in these areas that although staffed by Catholic nuns, were open and accessible to all children. Mary ran into trouble with these ideals within her own church and fought hard as senior clergy tried to shut her schools and order down. Mary eventually succeeded and her order, the Sisters of St Joseph, is still thriving today. 

Certainly an abridged version of the life and times of our first Australian saint however two things stand out, Mary believed in an education for all, a passion so strong that she was willing to take on the hierarchy to defend it. Mary believed in the providence of God, Mary believed that what she was called to do was God’s work and therefore could not fail. 

Life is tough for all of us, how Mary responded was to work with those that had less than she did, to focus on the “other” and to follow the call on her life. God calls to all of us, seldom is this call easy in our modern sense of the word, however our call could be to do exactly what Mary did, to make sure our families value and commit to a good education and to trust that God will provide.

Next Thursday is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. Mary is the only person in the bible that had an immediate “yes” to the will of God. Mary was surprised that she was asked to be the mother of Jesus and felt herself unworthy. This is probably not uncommon with all of us at times as we move, live and work in our callings. Feelings of being overwhelmed, unworthiness or feeling that we simply don’t have the skills to do what we are asked to do. Take confidence from both Mary’s examples and trust you are moving toward exactly where you are called to be.

We are reminded of the amazing sacrifices and commitment of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We need to be willing to say yes to God’s call in all we do, just as Mary did in accepting her role as mother of Jesus. I have the privilege to work and teach in a community where I see colleagues and students saying yes all the time, even when it looks way too difficult, too demanding or seems to require too much investment. 

Saying yes makes us vulnerable to the will of God, exactly where we are called to be.

On Thursday, July 25^th 2019 the Year 9 Visual Arts class attended the Monet: Impression Sunrise Exhibition at The National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. As part of their current unit of work on ‘Remaking a Masterpiece’, this exhibition allowed students to develop their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the painting techniques of the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Through these experiences students were supported to develop critical and creative thinking skills through responding to works of art. 

At the gallery, the students were given a guided tour of Monet’s artworks.  Featuring Claude Monet’s pioneering painting Impression, Soleil levant (Impression, Sunrise) 1872, from which Impressionism takes its name, this exclusive exhibition brings together works from the impressionist master and other significant artists to examine the founding of an art movement—a defining moment in art history.

Impression, Soleil levant, is significant as it  rarely leaves the museum walls in Paris. It is accompanied by some forty Impressionist and related paintings from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the Tate, and Australian and New Zealand collections. 

Alongside Monet’s masterpieces are key paintings by JMW Turner, whose early works inspired Monet, James McNeill Whistler, Alfred Sisley and Eugène Boudin, among others. The works reveal the formative characteristics of Impressionism—depiction of light, purer colour and capturing the momentary view—by a new generation of artists who abandoned their studios for the world outside.

Additionally, students explored Australia's history, and cultural and national identity through our Australian art collection, which includes the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the world. In particular, they viewed the artworks of Australian Impressionist artists who were influenced by the artmaking practice of Monet. 

A favourite with the students was ‘Infinity Room’ by cult Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Itis an immersive installation of endless reflection, yellow pumpkins and black dots and has been acquired for the national collection.

Thank you especially to the staff who attended the excursion; Mrs. Fenessy and Mrs. Hume. Thank you to all the parents who organised their children to get to school so early to catch the bus. A final thank you to our students, whose behaviour was exemplary throughout the day.

SPORT REPORT TERM 3 - 2019 Week 3 - VS MAGDALENE

Today brought some fantastic weather for sport with a clear sunny winter day making for ideal sporting conditions. After a fantastic start in round one, a number of close victories occurred in round two despite many teams playing without a full complement of players (we look forward to some of our year 12 athletes returning to play in week 5). Some very positive results this week with 6 out of 9 teams picking up victories, with our Netball squads still striving for a maiden victory (keep training girls and it will come).

On a personal note welcome back to Miss Georgia Leach, who is back from Long Service and is recently engaged to her fiance Dean. Congratulations! Ps. great to have you back to support the running of sport at John Therry Catholic High School.

Upcoming events:         

*Coaches are looking out for players, so please register your interest for one of our Volleyball or Hockey teams.            

*If you have any sporting news you would like to share with our community, please contact Mr Daniel Goodhew daniel.goodhew@dow.catholic.edu.au

For more sporting information, please visit the John Therry Sport Page

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/johntherrysport/home

Regards

Mr Daniel Goodhew