Term 2 Week 10 – 21st June 2023
Dear Families and Community Members,
Last Friday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This celebration holds deep meaning for Catholics around the world as it did for our patroness St Mary MacKillop, reminding us of the boundless love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back centuries, but it was in the 17th century that it gained widespread recognition. The origins can be traced to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a humble nun from the Visitation Order in Paray-le-Monial, France. Through a series of mystical experiences, Sister Margaret Mary received visions of Jesus Christ, who revealed His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His love for humanity.
During these encounters, Jesus emphasized His desire for a devotion to His Sacred Heart, calling for reparation and love in return. He revealed His heart as a burning furnace of love, wounded by the sins of humanity but overflowing with compassion and forgiveness. The devotion was intended to awaken hearts to the infinite love and mercy of Christ and to encourage acts of love and reparation for sins.
In 1765, Pope Clement XIII permitted the celebration of a Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart. However, it was not until 1856, during the pontificate of Pope Pius IX, that the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was established and included in the liturgical calendar of the universal Church. The feast is celebrated on the Friday following the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, highlighting the profound connection between the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Throughout the centuries, the devotion to the Sacred Heart has inspired countless acts of love, mercy, and compassion. It has given solace to the suffering, encouraged sinners to seek forgiveness, and ignited the hearts of the faithful with a burning love for Christ.
The image of the Sacred Heart is often depicted with flames, representing the intense love of Jesus, and surrounded by a crown of thorns, signifying His sacrificial death on the cross. The pierced heart is also frequently depicted with a cross emerging from it, symbolizing the inseparable connection between love and sacrifice.
The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus serves as a reminder to us all of the immeasurable love God has for each and every one of us. It invites us to contemplate the depth of His mercy and respond with gratitude, love, and compassion towards our fellow human beings.
God bless,
Lucas Hurley – Principal
Arts News
Thank you to all who attended Arts week.
An Art exhibition opening and Music Night was held on the 5th of June, Drama Night was held on the 6th of June and Dance Night was held on the 7th of June.
The students worked very hard towards these presentations and should be proud of the work they achieved. Staff members, families and Arts workers from other schools said they enjoyed the shows very much and were impressed with the students’ and teachers’ work.
If any families would like to get involved with Arts week next semester then please get in contact with Mrs Ezzy via her email kathryn.ezzy@nt.catholic.edu.au
We would love to have family members of students involved with behind the scenes helping.
Kathryn Ezzy – Arts Coordinator
Book Week
The Journey of the Mural
After many months and a Christmas Break in between, the Friday afternoon Art Elective, ‘Art, Voice, Courage and Imagination’, completed their mural. The mural was designed and constructed by Year 7, 8 and 9 students, who felt the school needed a little more colour. and imagination, with hands connecting us all in a great jigsaw focused around our College Values. I wonder if you can find the Saints in there as well? The hands that connect the jigsaw pieces are not just from those students, but many other students, as well as a few staff members. Each stage has taken courage and commitment with a few extra long afternoons late last year and this year to complete it. A big shout out to these students – you are amazing! And also thank you to Bunnings, Palmerston who generously donated the paint. Please enjoy the journey through these pictures, a lasting gift from our students.
Textiles
Lillian Stretton, Matilda Johnston and Chloe Pearson are making some shorts currently. They have completed some hand sewing and learnt to use the sewing machines at school this term to consolidate their previous machine knowledge. They have constructed a pdf pattern to use to make these shorts. 
Saints Triumph Over O’Loughlin in 2023 Catholic Cup Showdown
In a thrilling match that showcased the best of NT schoolboy rugby league talent, the MacKillop Saints U16 Boys Rugby League team emerged victorious in the annual Catholic Cup contest, defeating sister-school rivals O’Loughlin Catholic College 30 to 10.
Daniel Murphy kick-started the scoring frenzy by expertly splitting the OCC defense with an elusive sprint that culminated in a try under the posts. Murphy’s outstanding performance throughout the match earned him the coveted MVP award for best on ground that day. Meanwhile, ‘super-boot’. Deacon Summerville, showcased his goal kicking accuracy by nailing several conversions, many of which were from the sideline.
Among the standout players was Kole Heikkinen, a 14-year-old talent who shone in the second row. Heikkinen’s performance not only helped secure the Saints’ victory but also marked his second victory in this prestigious competition. With another opportunity to compete next year, Heikkinen is determined to strive for a rare Catholic Cup ‘three-peat’.
With this victory, the Saints have established an unparalleled legacy in the Catholic Cup, winning every game in this competition since 2015. This success further solidifies their reign as the team to beat and cements their status as rugby league powerhouses among sporting schools in the Northern Territory.
Marley Carter, Harry Heath, and Jaxon Boulton were among the other standout players who crossed the try line during the intense contest, showcasing their skills and contributing to the Saints’ win.
Head Coach Mr. Matthew Sharp expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and noted the opportunity the game provided for up-and-coming players like Jason Curyer and Tinashe Matadi to play in new positions alongside veteran players like Harry Heath and Will McCallum. Coach Sharp further emphasized the significance of the Catholic Cup, remarking on how St. John’s and OCC had previously shared the trophy before it found a permanent home at MacKillop in recent years.
Looking ahead, the U16s team remains undefeated in 2023 but faces tough challenges in the upcoming Palmerston Cup against Palmerston College. They will also have a rematch in the Academy Cup against Taminmin College, following their previous two encounters in the Eels Cup qualifying rounds and Grand Final respectively. Coach Sharp expressed confidence in the team’s abilities while acknowledging the strength of the competition.
Coach Sharp also highlighted the commendable performances of OCC’s Nate Jarrett-Wright and James Obina, whom he had coached during the NT Titans U15s Australian Schoolboys tournament in 2022. He lauded their dominant presence in the middle of the park, which played a crucial role in keeping OCC in the contest. Their contest against formidable players like Marley Carter and TJ Van Der Walt from the Saints team may have served as an audition for representative honors in the current local club league season.
The Saints administration would like to extend their gratitude to NRL Northern Territory for their support in officiating the match. In particular, to referee Zackary Knott who exhibited exceptional control over the game, reminiscent of a young Bill Harrigan, ensuring a fair and thrilling contest for both teams.
The 2023 Catholic Cup clash between the MacKillop Saints and O’Loughlin Catholic College will be remembered as an exhilarating display of talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship. As the Saints u16s Boys continue their undefeated streak through 2023, fans eagerly anticipate their future matches and the impressive achievements that lie ahead for this exceptional team.
Languages News
In Indonesian classes, we are learning to play congklak. The objective of Congkak is to move your shells into the storehouse that is situated on your left-hand side. You move your shells by picking up all of the shells in one of your houses and depositing one into each of the houses to the left of the space. The first person to empty all of his or her houses is the winner. You can access: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An0syZQapfA – How to Play Congklak – Indonesian Children’s Game.
Terima kasih,
Lenny Lenny – Indonesian Teacher
Community News
