Faith and Mission

Earlier this term, our College community had the privilege of hosting the launch of Fr Frank Brennan SJ's edited book celebrating the life and legacy of Sir William Deane. Throughout the evening, we were reminded of Sir William's unwavering commitment to justice, reconciliation, compassion and the dignity of every person. 

These same themes resonate deeply in the Australian Catholic Bishops' Social Justice Statement for August 2026, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division. The statement challenges all Australians to respond to growing social division, hostility and polarisation with the Gospel values of love, respect and encounter. The Bishops remind us that Christian discipleship is not simply a private faith experience but a public witness to human dignity, truth, justice and peace. 

At a time when many people feel increasingly divided by politics, religion, culture, and social media, the Bishops call us to be bridge-builders rather than contributors to division. They encourage us to listen before reacting, seek understanding before judgement, and engage respectfully with those whose experiences or views may differ from our own. 

As an Ignatian school, we are called to form young people of competence, conscience, and compassion who are committed to God and to the service of others. The Social Justice Statement invites each of us to consider how we contribute to a culture of encounter in our homes, classrooms and wider community. It asks us to reject language and behaviour that diminish others and instead choose actions that foster respect, understanding and hope. 

The legacy of Sir William Deane and the message of this year's Social Justice Statement challenge us to live our faith with courage and generosity. In a world that can seem increasingly fractured, we are reminded that the Gospel offers another way: a way of listening, reconciliation and love.

May we continue to build a College community where every person is known, valued and welcomed, and where our commitment to justice is expressed not only in words but in the everyday choices we make to serve others.

For those wishing to read the full statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, it is available below.

The YouTube clip of the launch of Equality, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion: the Inspiration of Sir William Deane edited by Fr Frank Brennan SJ can be viewed below.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

Thank you to all the Year 7s who contributed to today’s Eucharist, by singing, reading, ministering at the altar, bringing the offertory gifts, ringing the bell, and by turning up and participating. We proclaimed the readings for this Sunday. Thank you to Redemptorist, Fr Edmond Nixon, for celebrating with us. In his homily Fr Edmond referred to the reading from Romans, and invited us to not be afraid of silence, but to embrace the quiet and make room for all that is deepest in our hearts. 

 ‘How rich are the depth of God … who could ever know the mind of the Lord’. 

(Romans 11:33-36)

Next Friday, we look forward to celebrating with Year 9 students, who will prepare the liturgy for us. Everyone is welcome to our Friday community Mass. 

Community Mass details 

• College Chapel
• All welcome!
• Fridays in term time
• Starts at 8:00am; concludes at 8:30am.