Last week we celebrated the Feast of Mary MacKillop. She was indeed a woman who endured many crosses throughout her life so she is one who would readily identify with those who are finding this time challenging. Her words of 1907 speak very much to us in 2020:  “We must let no obstacle deter us from proceeding with courage in the path marked out for us. It may sometimes be dark and full of windings, but a beautiful bright light shines at the end of this path and a few more windings will bring us to it.” 

Today we who embrace and are inspired by the Josephite charism continue to be called to make a difference wherever we are. For some at this time, that may be taking the time to make a phone call to someone we know who is in lockdown or providing support to a family who are struggling to make ends meet. Wherever you are I wish you and your families many blessings as we acknowledge and celebrate the life of a woman who inspires us to continue being people of hope. 

This Week Let us include in our prayers….. 

• Those brave women, who like Mary MacKillop, partner with unlikely friends to make a difference in our world. May we look outward in our relationships and see who we too can learn from and lean into when we see and need and try to do something about it. 

• Those living in uncertainty as a result of Covid-19: those in lock down; the vulnerable in aged-care; those on the streets; those who are unemployed and suffering financial hardship. May we, where we are able, be a pillar of support for those who are wavering. 

Sunday’s Gospel- 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Please find shared in this week’s newsletter: the Sunday prayer at home which has some wonderful resources to unpack this week’s readings in a family friendly way.   

The gospel story contains a succession of episodes: Jesus’ prayer, his appearance on the lake, his challenge to Peter, and the disciples’ confession of faith. The text follows directly on from last Sunday’s story of the feeding of the crowd.  Matthew reminds us of Jesus’ practice of prayer, often alone and through the night.  He implies a connection between Jesus’ solitary communing with God and the divine power with which he masters the storm-tossed sea.  
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There is no limit to the ways in which human beings encounter the divine.  Our experience of God’s presence and power is infinitely varied.  It can happen in a dramatically impressive event; it can happen in a moment of utter quiet, it can even happen enjoying a spectacular Weipa sunset.  In the end it is not something under our control.  The initiative is always God’s.  Often enough it occurs precisely when we have lost control of our lives, when our defences are down and we are aware of our human frailty.  Our vulnerability allows God to reach into our lives and touch us. Reading Reflections 

Week 5 Whole School Liturgy 

On Friday, the school hosted a liturgy of the word in the church. It was absolutely wonderful to see all classes  gathered together for prayer. Unfortunately, due to car troubles Father Dariusz was unable to join us, however we soldiered on in his absence. The liturgy was filmed and will be uploaded to the parent portal this week for viewing.  Each class was responsible for making a pledge poster. The pledges were based on the motto of Mary Mackillop, never see a need without doing something about it. Please see below the photos of the student’s pledges.