Pope Francis's intention prayer for August 

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 8th August

On Sunday, August 8, we celebrate the feast day of our school founder, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary chose to make a difference to the society in which she lived in the 19th Century by educating the poor and helping them build a life through faith and understanding.  

As a school community, we will be acknowledging with deep gratitude the efforts of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who once led our school, with a special Mass at 9 am on Monday, August 9, in the school gym.  Parents are welcome to join us and asked to comply with our COVID-19 Safe Plan, including wearing masks, social distancing, and using the QR Code scan.   
 
Just as Saint Mary MacKillop did, we too are also called to make a difference, with a spirit of generosity, open to the changing needs of society and prepared to stand with people in the ordinary circumstances of their existence. On Monday, August 9, the students are encouraged to express their faith commitment through action and come to school dressed in the theme of being a student back in the early 1900s.  We ask families for a gold coin donation and in return the students receive a free raffle ticket draw.  The prize voucher will be drawn at the end of the day.  Contributions will go directly to supporting those in need in our community.   

The Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary – 15th August 

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember when Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul, after she died.  This story in the Bible. However, a tradition handed down from the earliest days of the Church says that Mary died in Jerusalem and was buried in a tomb. When the apostles opened the tomb again, her body was gone. Just like the way her son's body had disappeared. Why would God take Mary’s body and soul into heaven? In part because Mary is special to God: she said “yes” to becoming the mother of Jesus. But God also wanted to show us that one day, all of us will share in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Mary is the first person in the Church to experience the resurrection in its fullness. 

Sacraments

Over the coming weeks, the senior students will be preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of the grace received at Baptism. It is the Sacrament in which we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens us to take up the mission Christ gives us. 

This year Our Lady of The River Catholic School will be joining the students from St. Albert’s in Loxton to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation as one parish. Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 19th September at 9.00 am in Berri. Bishop Karol will be our main celebrant. 

Students will have the opportunity to work together on a Confirmation Retreat Day on Friday 10th September hosted at in our school hall.  

A reminder to the Confirmation candidates that I would like to have any stoles that you would like me to personalise as well as your Confirmation Cards completed with your details returned as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Loving God,

We who have been touched by the Spirit of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop ask you to raise us up and help us explore and live out the Josephite Charism to make the world a better place. 

Help us to love as St. Mary of the Cross  loved, to help others to grow as she did, by giving of herself and being open to the action of God in her life.  

We ask this through Christ our Lord, 

Amen

May the generous hospitality of God's gracious love be with you always,  

Rosemary Perre
APRIM