On Thursday we celebrated our Feast Day. The church was full of our students, staff, parents
and grandparents. It was a wonderful celebration and the singing was beautiful from all
of our students. I sincerely thank all of our parents and grandparents for joining us
today for Mass, Celebration of Learning and a picnic lunch. I thank you for ensuring it
was able to be covid safe . I am always grateful to have such a supportive community
and parent group. What a spectacular day!
Saint John Vianney is the patron saint of our school and priests and is often referred to
as the Cure of Ars. As a young person he instructed other children in catechism and
prayer. He was ordained at the age of 29.
When attendance at services was lacking, he went out to the people especially visiting
the ill and destitute and administering penance. John Vianney led by example and
listened to the confessions of people near and far. He was renowned for charity and love
and cherished ministering to people. He was deeply devoted to St. Philomena and
erected a chapel and shrine in her honour. When he later became deathly ill but
miraculously recovered, he attributed his health to St. Philomena's intercession.
St John Vianney left behind a legacy of faith and was viewed as the champion of the
poor. At St John Vianney’s Manly we are a strong community that lives out our Gospel
values of Compassion, Justice, Determination, Respect and Service.
