Mary MacKillop Feast Day celebrations

Kindergarten students at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary performed the gathering song, A Cross of Stars

Events were held across the diocese of Parramatta on Friday 8 August in honour of the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s Feast Day was marked with liturgies, family events and social justice fundraisers at a number of schools and the Catholic Education office.

Students, staff and families from St Mary MacKillop Primary School in South Penrith celebrated mass at St Nicholas of Myra to remember and acknowledge St Mary MacKillop’s important work.

Students travelled to St Nicholas of Myra Church to join the Feast Day Mass and were treated to hundreds of green and yellow helium balloons decorating their classrooms on their return. In the afternoon, students came together to make a coin trail with donations going to the St Mary MacKillop Institute in East Timor.

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary, St Marys was founded by Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1880. Students celebrated a moving liturgy to celebrate the inspirational life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. By bringing the letters written by Mary MacKillop to life, students were encouraged to learn from her example by working, learning together and caring for others particularly those in need.

Staff at the Catholic Education office, Parramatta gathered for a liturgy with Sr Rosie Drum MGL reading the letters of Mary MacKillop and leading a prayer asking for guidance and care for students, staff and school communities.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

09 Jun 2026
Helping Your Child Learn at Home - Practical strategies every parent can use
How can you help your child learn at home without stress, conflict, or overwhelm? Join CSPD’s Learning Outcomes team for a practical parent session focused on simple, realistic ways families can support learning at home, from primary through to secondary school.

Facebook

15 May 2026
From Facebook
A big thank you to Senior Sergeant Mark Kniepp for joining us at our assembly today to promote National Walk Safely to School Day next Friday and share important road safety reminders with our students. 🚸 Students were encouraged to remember the important message: Stop, Look, Listen and Think whenever they are near roads and traffic. Walking safely to and from school is a great way to build healthy habits, independence and road awareness. Families are invited to register their child’s participation via Compass and support this important community event. 👟💛

15 May 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Students of the Week award recipients who were recognised for demonstrating our school values and always striving to do their best 👏🏻🎉