Being part of a Josephite Tradition means to be a welcoming, inclusive, compassionate community.
Mary MacKillop believed that the compassionate love of God was available to all she met. Mary Mackillop had a compassionate heart, big enough to embrace all of humanity. No one was excluded.
Today in our school community we do the same. We welcome families from all cultures and all religious backgrounds, of all socio-economic backgrounds and, support children with special needs who are considered to have special rights. We promote compassion and empathy amongst our children through the ‘Mary MacKillop Awards’. This award recognizes children who do extraordinary acts in any ordinary day. Children who show compassion towards others. Help a child with a disability, welcome a new student, spends time helping another person.
Being part of a Josephite Tradition means that as a community everyone is treated with dignity.
Mary Mackillop believed that God, in Jesus, called her and her sisters to show reverence for the dignity of all people. Mary MacKillop’s reverence for all people meant she was incapable of ’giving up’ on anyone.
Today in our school community, we support families in a variety of ways including those who are experiencing financial difficulties. We are all in this together.
Being part of a Josephite Tradition means that as a community we most support the people who are poor and marginalized.
For Mary MacKillop those who were the most ‘Needy’ in our world come first. Mary Mackillop and the Sisters established “bush schools” and later as needs arose, orphanages, refuges, and other services for those most vulnerable in the society of their time. Mary MacKillop was an extraordinary woman of action and her response and that of the Josephite sisters was a practical one. Small acts upon small acts
Today in our school community, we teach children to have RESPECT for all. To grow into people who have a sense of the 'common good', in our society. We teach them that we use our gifts and talents to support people who are in need, people who are less fortunate. We do this through Project Compassion, St Vincent De Paul and Mini Vinnies.
Being part of a Josephite Tradition is about serving others.
Mary MacKillop interpreted the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples as an act of service. Consequently, Mary MacKillop and the Sisters were the first order of Sisters who did not live behind the walls of a convent. Instead they lived in groups of 3 or 4 in small houses and lived amongst their community, establishing schools and moving to communities that needed support. Everything that Mary MacKillop did was to benefit and support others.
The staff and I are committed to serving this community. With a caring heart, to provide the greatest care possible for all of our children, our parents and for each another. Everything we do, educationally, financially, the pastoral care we provide, nurturing the community spirit and improving facilities is to benefit our children, who are at the centre of all that we do.
Being part of a Josephite Tradition is about having strength, courage and perseverance.
Although Mary MacKillop was a woman of faith and remarkably determined to maintain her core values regardless of the circumstances, it still meant that some people were not pleased with her actions. In fact, at one stage, she was excommunicated from the Church. In the midst of many moments of conflict she never deviated from her core values and never spoke ill of others, even if they were great cause of grief.
Today in our school community we teach children Gospel values of love, justice, forgiveness, compassion, dignity as these will be the values that will be their compass throughout their lives. If these values are embedded in the character of your child, they will act like the strong roots of a tree. It does not matter what winds or storms will come in their lives, these strong roots will keep them steady and in place. These roots will help them in their conviction of what it means to be a good person and their strength, courage and perseverance will be a light in our world. Characteristics which Mary Mackillop passed onto her Sisters and to those around her. Today we pass them on to our children and within our community and, in turn, these will be passed onto future generations.
With a grateful heart.
God Bless
