Faith and Mission

Refugee Week 2024: Finding Freedom

As we approach Refugee Week 2024, our school community is invited to reflect on this year's theme, 'Finding Freedom.' This theme highlights the importance of offering refuge, hope, and new beginnings to those forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and hardship.

Pope Francis’s encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, speaks directly to the 'joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties' of migrants, refugees, and indeed all displaced and marginalised people. At its core, it is a call for greater fraternity and social friendship between all peoples and nations. Pope Francis urges us toward 'fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate, and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.' Instead of the self-centred attitudes of nationalism and individualism, he calls for love and openness to prevail over 'cool, comfortable, and globalised indifference.'

Refugee Week presents an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and to celebrate the resilience and contributions of those who have sought refuge in Australia.

Supporting CARAD's Donation Drive

In conjunction with Refugee Week, we are supporting a donation drive for the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Detainees (CARAD). CARAD provides essential support to individuals and families seeking asylum, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. By contributing to this drive, we extend our Ignatian spirit of service to those who need it most.

We invite all families to join us in this important initiative by donating the following items. Suggested donations include:

Basmati rice
Passata
Honey
Sweet biscuits
Tinned fruit
Dried fruit and nuts
Hand wash
Spray and wipe
Toilet cleaner
Deodorant
Shaving cream
Shampoo and conditioner

Donations can be dropped off at Student Administration from Monday, 17 June to Friday, 21 June. Your generous contributions will be delivered to CARAD, making a meaningful difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in our community.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

This morning the Year 11 pilgrimage students prepared and participated in our Eucharist. Thank you to those students – and to all students, families and staff who come out on these crisp mornings to celebrate the Eucharist as a community.

The Gospel of Mark, from this Sunday’s liturgy, was proclaimed this morning. In part it reads:

Bernadette Lopez www.evangile-et-peinture.org www.bernalopez.org

‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like?

It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil

is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;

yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all

and puts out big branches

so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

Mark 4:30-32

Community Mass Details

Fridays in Term time
8:00am start – 8:30am finish
College Chapel

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Over the course of the year, the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at various year levels: Primary, Year 8, Year 10 and Year 12. Through the sacrament, people encounter the healing and forgiveness of Christ. It is a time for quiet, individual reflection or prayer, but experienced in community.

The College is lucky to be able to draw on the assistance of priests from various parishes who remind the students that the sacrament is about the unfailing and loving mercy of God more than human sinfulness.

Participating in Reconciliation provided me with the opportunity to reflect on my actions and seek forgiveness from God. This experience has deepened my connection to my faith and strengthened my bond with my peers through the activities and prayers we shared.

Carla Chipperfield – Year 10

I really love going to Reconciliation because I reflect on what I've done wrong and how I can learn from God, and also feel more holy and relaxed.

Luke French – Year 10

It was an extremely calming experience and allowed me to be alone with my thoughts without having to worry about anything else.

Maggie Pazin – Year 12

I found Reconciliation a great opportunity to relax and reflect on my choices and I find it very important to talk about the things that are holding you back which Reconciliation provides a great opportunity to do so.

Jasper Van Ast – Year 12