Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop & The Feast of the Assumption  

On Tuesday August 8 we celebrated the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop with a lovely whole school Mass, and on Tuesday August 15 we will be celebrating the Feast of the Assumption once again with a whole school Mass. These are two hugely significant feasts in the liturgical calendar. Please see below spiritual reflections for these significant occasions:

On 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII declared that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”  (Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus. # 44)
On 15 August, we celebrate the assumption of Mary. The day marks our belief that when Mary died both her body and soul were taken to Heaven; suggested as reward for her sin free life but scripture does not actually give an account of Mary’s assumption into Heaven. So what is this holy day about?
We believe that God became flesh to show us the way to live life to the fullest, to show us that there is such divinity in being human that God chose it and as humans we can make choices that show love to others and contribute to the flourishing of the world we have been gifted with. It could be asserted that Jesus’ ascension is another reminder of the goodness of our human form - Jesus didn’t need to change form to take his place alongside our Trinitarian God because, as Genesis tells us, being human is very good. The assumption of Mary could be seen in the same way. As a young woman, Mary made decisions to honour God by participating with God and doing her part in demonstrating love, the goodness of humanity and the importance humanity plays in God’s mission. Mary was assumed to her rightful place with God as body and soul and we are again reminded that being human is very good and dignified. In her humanity, Mary led others to recognise God’s holiness and she shows us that our humanity is sacramental. In the words of Fr Michael Himes, in reverencing humanity we cherish what unites us with God. ‘Whatever makes us more richly human makes us more like God.” 
Perhaps Mary was taken body and soul, as Jesus was, to again remind us that being human is very good, so good that God chose humanity for God’s self to visibly enter our world.

Let us reflect upon the strength and vitality Mary MacKillop gained from prayer. ‘All depends on prayer’ she said. Her courageous spirit finding the wallaby track to get to the communities who needed support and help; the discernment she demonstrated as a leader; the modelling of love she showed and the inspiration as a teacher to empower others and give hope that became legendary, needed an enduring nourishment- her prayer life critical to her missionary zeal. 
Luigi Gioia, in ‘Touched by God’ writes ‘The role of preachers, teachers, doctors, ministers has been acknowledged since the beginning of Christianity. Without them, there would have been no Scripture and nobody would have known the Good News. Jesus did not write anything, but chose disciples instead, entrusted his message to them and sent them to proclaim it to the whole world.
And yet the teaching imparted by those who claim to speak in God’s name is effective only insofar as it is echoed by the anointment within. Mary MacKillop’s interior life, fuelled by prayer, is an example for us in the Australian context of a missionary giant bringing life to those on the peripheries. 
The Sisters of St Joseph model her spirit in the significant work of care that shows the Catholic Church at its best. They invite us on the journey with MacKillop by setting aside a prayer practice…

Sit quietly, 
breathe in life. 
Breathe out peace. 
Breathe in life. Breathe out peace. Breathe in life.
Breathe out peace.                                 

Mary MacKillop Prayer  
God of the Pilgrim, Mary MacKillop trusted your guidance in her journey of life and deepened her confidence in your will. May we renew our trust in your Providence to lead us to hope as we bring our prayer before you. May we grow in the fullness of your love and the depth of your mystery.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Way, our Truth and our Life. Amen. 
“All depends on prayer. Begin with it and end with it.”
(Mary MacKillop)            

All the best,
Mr Sam Mattas
Religious Education Coordinator