Leader 1

Today, as a school community, we come together to celebrate the feast day of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, using one of the names given to her, that is, Mary, Help of Christians. Today we would like to use two pictures of Mary to understand why she was given this name and how we can become more like her.

Leader 2

The first picture shows Mary with her son Jesus standing over Australia with the Southern Cross in the background. This is an image used by non indigenous Catholics who come to Australia over 200 years ago. In Sydney, the first bishop, John Bede Polding, called his first church, St. Mary's, and when parishes were set up in our pioneering country, he chose Mary, Help of Christians, as our patroness for the whole of Australia.

Leader 3

You all might ask, why did the bishop chose that name for Mary here in Australia? Well, the first Catholic Christians coming from Europe needed a great deal of help settling in Australia. In the years when no Catholic priests were allowed to come here, people often prayed to Mary for help.

Leader 4

Today we have many priests like Fr. Mackay and Fr. Phillip but people still turn to Mary for help. Just as Mary helped Jesus, her relatives and friends in times of need, so we can help others in all kinds of needs.

Leader 5

Let us turn to Mary in prayer and say: "Mary our helper make us helpers too!"

Leader 6

The other picture of Mary, the Help of Christians, shows her at the centre of Australia. This is an image used by indigenous Catholics in the Northern Territory. It was painted by an aboriginal artist, Martina Parry, from our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Palmerston, Northern Territory.

Leader 7

Let's look carefully at this picture. Martina explains her drawing to us: "From the four corners of the world many people of different races come to Australia where Mary prays with them, making then one new nation in Her very own country. The closer we come to Mary fewer separations exist. At first we were streams flowing together but separated from one another. When we journey closer to Mary colour differences disappear. We become united and free individuals respecting and loving one another."

Leader 8

In our school community we all come from diverse cultures, yet we from one community. Let us pray to Mary that we may respect and honour each person and make our school commuity a welcoming and helpful place for all.

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