'Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering whom you are trying to follow.

– St Mary MacKillop

We all face troubles in life. Many difficulties are cracks in our path that trip us up; others are crater sized problems that are trickier to navigate. Life often challenges us with struggles we’re not always prepared to overcome. 

But for Mary MacKillop to ask us to bear our troubles cheerfully? That request seems a bit too much. To understand Mary MacKillop’s words, we can look to the Benedictine monk, Brother David Steindl-Rast and his teachings on prayer and gratitude.

In an interview with the American Public Broadcasting Station (PBS), Br David says, ‘The root of joy is gratefulness. It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful. Count your blessings and you will find them to be countless, even in the midst of adversity and tragic circumstances’.  

Br David explains that when we are grateful for every little thing such as our ability to see or hear, it’s then we can view life with the wonder of a child. If we are missing one of our five senses we can be grateful for the ones we have left. Delighting in God’s creation and gifts transforms our worries and concerns into joy and allows us to bear all things cheerfully.

St Mary MacKillop knew what it meant to bear troubles joyfully. An industrious and educated young woman, she began teaching in her teenage years to support her family, even opening schools in her early 20s. She carried her love for teaching and serving the poor throughout her life. Co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites), she almost lost her life’s work and her religious community, standing up against a sexual perpetrator. Even in excommunication, she didn’t give up her faith or joy. 

In 2010 at her canonisation Pope Benedict XVI described Mary MacKillop’s courage and joy in the face of troubles. He said, ‘Despite many challenges, her prayers to Saint Joseph and her unflagging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom she dedicated her new congregation, gave this holy woman the graces needed to remain faithful to God and to the Church.’ 

As we face struggles in our lives, may we remember St Mary MacKillop’s unwavering courage and let charity be our guide. 

Prayers of petition:

Father, we pray for children workers everywhere, who like St Mary MacKillop, have to work to support their families and themselves. We pray that one day children all over the world will be able to enjoy their childhoods. Lord hear us. 

May we pray for the forgotten and uncared for in our society and those who remember and care for them. Lord hear us.

May our Catholic communities remember, like Mary MacKillop, that Catholic education should not only be available for the privileged but for all. Lord hear us.

May we bear our troubles cheerfully remembering that obstacles are an invitation to trust in you. Lord hear us. 

We continue to make progress with our many building projects. On completion of the Canteen, Library, Student Hub and second bank of toilets construction will commence on the new Learning Support Spaces, Meeting Rooms and mapali (our sensory space). I have attached the floor plan and coloured images in order to provide parents with some idea of what is coming. The disruption to 2020 has been immense but the spirit of what makes us such an incredible community can be seen everywhere; in our students ability to cope with reduced play spaces, our staff’s ability to make any space an inviting and welcoming learning space and our families ability to understand the disruption and support us fully. 

Good news!

CBCA Book Week 2020 will now be held in October.

OCTOBER 17-23 2020

These later dates will apply in 2020 only, recognising the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CBCA is committed to remaining relevant and dynamic in a very challenging business, arts and community environment. 

At Holy Rosary our Book Week celebrations will take place during October.

During Term 3, we are excited to be able to offer our Setup for Success program once again on:-

Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 – 3.00pm

Friday morning from 9.00-10.30.

As you would be aware, due to current Covid requirements, we have had to put in place a number of measures to ensure the care of our entire community.

Entry and exit will be through the side Kinder door.

Please be aware that when you attend Setup for Success, these things will be in place:

• We ask that only one adult attends. Other family children can come if necessary. Each session you wish to attend may need your RSVP to the school
• On the day, if anyone in your family is unwell or have cold like symptoms you all will be unable to attend that session
• Use hand sanitiser upon entry
• Sign yourself and your child in as you enter the room
• We may ask adults to help with wiping down a surface as your child moves from an activity
• BYO your own hat & labelled water bottle – note the school will supply a variety of fruit. Let us know on the day if any known food allergies

Setup for Success sessions will be both inside and outside and you will be asked to follow your child’s lead to play in the area of their interest.  In doing this, we will ask parents to be mindful of the 1.5 meters physical distancing when close to other adults.  Note: Children interacting and playing together is encouraged – where needed our staff will guide children on their interaction.

All advice will be subject to further consideration in the case of new restrictions or health advice.

Please continue to watch the "Set up for Success at Holy Rosary Catholic School - The Village" facebook page for the booking system.

Could all parents please assist us in ensuring that students are wearing the correct uniform on the correct day. We have a number of students in Grade 3 to 6 who continue to wear their sports uniform on days when they do not have sport. Students in Grade 3 to 6 must also wear their formal school shoes with their formal uniform, not sports shoes. 

A note from a parent is required for any variations to the uniform expectations. It is also advisable for students to have a raincoat.

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