Made for Heaven: Immaculata Mission School to be held in Cygnet

The idea that we have not been made for this world, but instead for everlasting life with God in heaven might come as a relief after the tumultuous year of 2020.

It’s also the theme of the five-day Immaculata Mission School set to be held in Cygnet beginning on January 1.

“With the virus and everything that’s been going on … I’ve been thinking a lot more about heaven,” said Mother Mary Therese Ramsden, of the Sisters of the Immaculata, who have run the annual January Immaculata Mission School since 2008.

“I’m hoping that these five days will be about helping people keep their eyes on heaven, directing their lives to heaven, and helping them to love one another.”

Themed ‘Made for Heaven’, the five days will involve daily Mass, talks, music, prayer, share groups, activities and outreach.

Speakers include musician and priest Fr Rob Galea, Tasmania’s Archbishop Julian, Catholic convert James Parker, and others – with topics ranging from the meaning of life and the person of Jesus Christ, to the lives of the saints, evangelisation, the Holy Spirit and more.

This year the mission school will be open to people of all ages, and Mother Mary Therese says the program will involve different streams for the different age groups – including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children.

“And also, we’re going to have lots of fun. So we’ll – hopefully – experience of a bit of heaven during those five days.”

She hopes that people will encounter the love of God through prayer, the talks, the witness of others and the sacraments.

“We wanted to support people in their faith. There’s been a lot going on this year,” she said.

“I pray that families and young people and those who come will experience this love … and that love will transform their lives.”

When we aren’t living for our true destiny – heaven – we end up unfulfilled, says Mother Mary Therese.

“… We were born for something. We were made for a purpose,” she said.

“Each of us has a gift, and that gift is what we discover as we live in a life of grace, in the faith. I remember when I had my conversion, all of a sudden it’s like: ‘Wow, I know what the meaning of my life is. I know what I was made for.’”

The Immaculata Mission School will run from January 1-5 in Cygnet, Tasmania. For more information, go to sistersoftheimmaculata.org.au/ims or email immaculatamissionschool@gmail.com.

_{Image: Past Immaculata Mission School participants.}