Faith, Justice and Formation

Father’s Day Masses

Last Friday we celebrated Father’s Day with Mass and Breakfast. Our Mass centered around the father/son relationship being grounded in love, like God’s relationship with each one of us. We also connected this to environmental stewardship as Friday was the Spring Ember Day in the Church calendar dedicated to climate change, harvest and care for creation, as well as being focused on prayer and penance.

Fr Geoff Plant celebrated both Masses with us, delivering an amazing homily on love and how it can flourish when nourished with living water.

We also had a really pleasing number of dads volunteer for roles in the Mass, and many students stepped up to make us all proud, especially their dads. We thank them all. The fathers and sons blessed each other, and Year 12 gave a special blessing over all dads and father figures present in language.

Between the Masses all guests gathered for a breakfast prepared and hosted by the amazing members of our Parents’ and Friends’ Association.

We hope everyone had a beautiful day and that this continued into Sunday. As a community we remember all dads present with us and those who have already gone before us.

Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence

Yesterday saw the celebration and presentation of all Archbishop’s Award recipients at St Mary’s Cathedral. It is with pleasure that we proclaim that the St Patrick’s College, Strathfield Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence for 2026 goes to Christian B. Below is the citation that was read for him at the ceremony by Year 11 student, Baxter G. This award is focused on commitment to faith and excellence in school, beyond the walls of school and within the student’s parish. Congratulations Christian! We are very proud of you!

Citation:

Christian is a mature and committed member of St Patrick’s College, Strathfield and a young man with deep faith and an active spiritual life. At school, he helps lead the Rosary group and engages enthusiastically with the College’s Seminarian in Residence, regularly participating in his lunchtime talks. He was successfully awarded a place in the Cardinal Pell Leadership Program in 2025, an overseas immersion program in Italy and England for aspiring student leaders. He came back renewed in his faith, joyfully sharing his testimony of faith with the wider community.

 

He has also helped facilitate a Year 5 formation program at our College. Faith is an integral part of Christian’s life as evidenced by his Mass attendance multiple times a week, and through his role as an altar server at his parish, Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, Harris Park. A dedicated parishioner, Christian also participates in his youth group, ‘Come Alive’, attends the youth retreat every year, and actively seeks a range of opportunities to deepen and live-out his faith. 

Recent Formation Events

Over recent weeks two year groups have engaged in their formation events, as part of the Formation Vision of the College which goes from Year 5 to Year 12.

The Year 9 Integral Justice and Reflection Day brought together faith and justice, looking at ecotheology and how we are called to be God’s stewards for our Earth, connecting to the Justice and Solidarity Touchstone. Year 9 students are to continue the work of this day at all times but most specifically at the moment they are collecting items which are often not considered recyclable. As a College, we will collate them and send to relevant organisations including Banich and Terracycle. Your support of these students is appreciated and something we encourage all families to engage with.

Year 12 students were given the option on their Spirituality Day to tap into an area which helps them develop their own spirituality or awakening, in the hope it will be something they can take into life beyond school, reflecting the Liberating Education Touchstone. The cohort enjoyed a spectacular day with eight different activities, coming together to conclude the day with a liturgy and meal. The celebration of Unity Through Diversity was evident as the young men could opt for deepening their spiritual development through art, music, creation, the body, justice and more.

All Formation events continue to shape our young men. ‘Formation is the path walked together, growing in faith and understanding our beliefs, strengthening our relationships with self, others, creation and God.’ (SPC Formation Vision) 

These events are important because our purpose as expressed through the SPC Formation Vision is ‘Engaging all community members to grow an understanding of their relationships, through a deep knowledge of Christ and the Spirit, allowing for authentic reflection leading to a liberation of self, and in turn the world in which we live.  As Catholics our mission is to make Christ known to others.’

Gillian Daley 

Director of Identity 

Year 6 Altar Servers 2027 

I am pleased to announce the selection of current Year 5 students as Altar Servers for 2027.  

Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank all students who submitted an application. The quality of applications was exceptionally high, and it was encouraging to see so many students willing to serve our College community. The selection process was challenging due to the large number of worthy applicants.   

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as Altar Servers for 2027: 

Being an altar server is a privilege and a significant leadership opportunity within the faith life of the College. I thank these students for their willingness to serve and look forward to seeing them grow in confidence and faith throughout the program. 

I would also like to extend my gratitude in advance to our current Year 6 Altar Servers of 2026, who will assist with the training and mentoring of our new altar servers during Term 4.  

Congratulations once again to our successful applicants and thank you to all students who expressed an interest in this ministry.  

Jacinta Young  

Head of Religious Education - Stage 3