On Monday 15 August we celebrated the solemnity (days of greatest importance in the Church) of the Assumption of Mary. The Assumption of Mary celebrates the belief that Mary was assumed, ‘taken up’ into heaven at the end of her life body and soul due to her sinless nature and her part in becoming the mother of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In Australia it is a Holy Day of obligation (Catholics are required to attend Mass). Our lives are so busy, and we face so many distractions. At times we can lose sight of God or become numb to His presence. Having a Holy Day of Obligation can give us the opportunity to rearrange our lives and ensure that our spiritual part of our life takes precedence over the exigencies of living in this world.

Our students and staff had the opportunity to honour Mary through the celebration of Mass at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church on the day. Fr Joel Peart who presided at the Year 9 & 10 Assumption Mass reminded us of the importance of focusing our hearts and minds on heavenly things and not getting caught up on things of the temporal things of this world. He stated that this is what Mary did and because of this was able to join her son in heaven (body and soul). This is what our goal should be as faithful Christians, to raise our eyes to heaven. This was reiterated by our Holy Father Pope Francis who in his Angelus Address stated “Do I believe that the purpose of my life is Heaven, it is paradise? To spend it well here. Or am I concerned only with worldly, material things? Again, as I observe world events, do I let myself be entrapped by pessimism or, like the Virgin, am I able to discern the work of God who, through gentleness and smallness, achieves great things? Brothers and sisters, Mary today sings of hope and rekindles hope in us.”

Mary: The Assumption (4.52 min)