From the Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity and Mission
Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence
We are delighted to celebrate Anastasia Rubelj, who was recently presented with the Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence at a special ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
This prestigious award recognises one outstanding Year 12 student from each Catholic secondary school across the Diocese of Parramatta. It celebrates students who demonstrate excellence in faith, learning, service and contribution to their school and wider community.
Anastasia exemplifies our College motto of Faith, Courage and Tolerance and is a faithful witness to the Catholic life of Caroline Chisholm College. As College Vice Captain, she contributed generously to liturgies, social justice initiatives and served as a student Catechist, sharing the Gospel through service and example. Her dedication to learning, compassion, integrity and servant-hearted approach reflect the Gospel call to follow Christ and serve others. We congratulate Anastasia on this significant recognition and give thanks for the many ways she has shared her gifts and enriched the life of our College community. We also extend our sincere thanks to Year 11 student Matilda Calderwood for reading Anastasia’s citation at the ceremony.
Encountering Jesus: Can Science and Religion Coexist?
As part of Year 8 Religious Education curriculum, students have been exploring the question of “How can Science and Religion Coexist?” To deepen their understanding, students were joined by Father Sheldon from St Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park who shared insights from his background in Biomedical Science and Science teaching and reflected on how his scientific experience has informed his Catholic faith.
Father Sheldon explored how science and religion can engage with some of the same big questions about the world, human existence and our origins, while approaching these questions from different perspectives. Students were encouraged to see that asking questions about faith and science is an important part of developing a deeper and more informed faith.
Father Sheldon shared how his understanding of science has given him an even greater appreciation for the complexity, wonder and beauty of God’s creation. Through discussion of Creation and evolution, his own journey of faith and experiences that have challenged his thinking, students were encouraged to approach questions with curiosity, openness and confidence. The session provided a wonderful opportunity for students to recognise that faith and scientific inquiry need not be in conflict, but can work together in our search for truth and understanding. As St John Paul II reminds us in Fides et Ratio, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”
We thank Father Sheldon for generously giving his time to share his wisdom with our students. The students were grateful for Father Sheldon being open to their questions and for assisting them to reinforce their learning in the classroom is complimentary to their Catholic faith. It was a positive and enjoyable learning experience for both students and staff.
Celebrating the Feast of St Padre Pio
The St Padre Pio Parish community, Glenmore Park, warmly invites families and parishioners to join in celebrating the Feast Day of St Padre Pio from 17–20 September.
The celebration begins with a three-day Triduum Novena and Mass on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September at 7:00pm, and Saturday 19 September at 5:30pm.
On Sunday 20 September, the Feast Day celebrations will begin with a procession at 10:00am, followed by Mass, veneration, a blessing with the relic of St Padre Pio and a fellowship meal.
Everyone is warmly welcome to join the parish community in prayer and celebration.
For enquiries, please contact (02) 4789 2232 or glenmorepark@parracatholic.org.
Ms Jeanette Cocks
Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity and Mission