Dear Parents and Friends,
Tomorrow, 24 May, is the feast day dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. This feast day has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day dates back to the start of the 1800’s. Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pius VI who died in jail. When Pope Pius VII was elected he too was jailed by Bonaparte.
The Holy Father vowed that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians be on 24 May.
The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820. It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as Patroness.
In the Opening Prayer for Our Lady Help of Christians, the Church prays that through Our Lady’s intercession God will “grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens”, so that “under her protection Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace”.
Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Taken from: https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/24-may-our-lady-help-of-christians/
Enrolment Flyers
Thank you to the many people who have taken enrolment flyers to deliver in the local area. Most of them are gone but we still have some left. If you are able to deliver flyers to either Watson or Downer please come past the front office to choose your street/s and collect the flyers.
Allergies to Nuts
Please remember not to send nuts or products containing nuts to school. Several children are severely allergic to nuts and your cooperation in reducing risks to their health is greatly appreciated.
National Simultaneous Story Time
Thank you to Mrs Dawson for getting everyone excited about National Simultaneous Storytime which took place on Wednesday morning in the library. This year’s book was ‘Alpacas with Maracas’ which was written and Illustrated by Matt Cosgrove. This annual event is held by the Australian Library and Information Association and is now in its 19th year. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools and pre-schools, child care centres, bookshops and family homes as well as many other places around Australia. The event has over 1 million children taking part and aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books.
Rule Reminders
Long hair: If a child’s hair is long enough to touch the shoulders, it needs to be tied back. This is to prevent the spread of head lice and to keep hair out of eyes as well as to ensure a neat and tidy appearance.
Hats: Please note that it is not yet time for ‘hats off’. Children still need to be wearing a uniform hat until the end of May.
Widjiny
Tomorrow we will host the performance ‘Widjiny’ for the whole school. Troy Allen, from the Bundjalung Nation of aboriginal people, will use song, music and didgeridoo, dance, artefacts, examples of ancient rock and cave paintings and firemaking demonstrations to tell the stories of his people.
Repeat Notice
Catholic Schools 2019 Enrolment Period For All Catholic Schools
This is a reminder to all our parents with siblings who are of school age next year, to lodge enrolment forms online as soon as possible. The enrolment period ends Friday 31st May. Information packs are available at the front office for your convenience. If you know of anyone outside of our school community who has a child at a Pre-school or Early Learning Centre, please notify them of the opportunity to enrol at Rosary Primary School.
Thought for the week:
“Apologies don’t mean anything if you keep doing what you’re sorry for.”
Unknown