Our Story

Mary Help of Christians Catholic College is Townsvile Catholic Education's thirtieth school and the first stand-alone co-educational Catholic secondary school in Townsville. Opening in 2025 with a cohort of approximately 125 Year 7 students, we will continue to grow until we graduate our first Year 12 cohort in 2030.

Our namesake, Mary Help of Christians, is the Patron Saint of both the Townsville Diocese and Australia. Mary Help of Christians is one of the numerous names by which Catholics have come to know and love Mary. It refers to the aid that Mary gives as the great intercessor - one who prays with and for us, to God. The Mary story underpins the Catholic Identity and spirituality of our College. The College will informally be known as ‘Mary's.’ At Mary Help of Christians Catholic College, we live in the spirit of Mary and are open to God's calling.

Pope Pius VII established the feast in honour of Our Lady Help of Christians in 1815. After being imprisoned by Napoleon Bonaparte, he established the feast in thanksgiving for his release. Australia, a new colony at that time, had no Catholic priests and therefore no Mass available. The faithful recited the Rosary to sustain their Catholic community. In 1844, Australia became the first country in the world to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness and we celebrate Mary Help of Christians Feast Day on 24 May each year.