Catholic Identity & Mission News
Happy Catholic Education Week!! This year’s theme mirrors that of our Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope – and there have been many recent (and upcoming) events that have certainly given us hope of late. Here are just a few:
Firstly, we have a new pope! On May 8, North American Cardinal Robert (Bob) Prevost was elected as our new pontiff and adopted the papal name, Pope Leo XIV. Taking the name Leo certainly bodes well for a pope who will champion the rights of the poor and marginalized in our world, continuing the inspiring work of Pope Francis. Pope Leo will certainly articulate his own vision for the Church over the coming months, and we are very excited to learn more about him and be guided by his wisdom and example.
Secondly, last week, our Year 10’s participated in their Year 10 Reflection Days. Held on each campus, Cranbourne on Tuesday and Clyde North on Thursday, the Year 10’s did themselves and their families proud with their enthusiasm and active participation. The theme of the day was ‘Identity and Belonging’ and students shared the time with each other considering the people, things and events that have shaped who they are today, and who they hope to be in the future. They were very active and creative days and students took home hand-made memory boxes full of mementos. My thanks to the Year 10 RE teachers for supporting the day, and to the VM staff and students who catered a delicious morning tea and lunch for us all.
Finally, we have just started Catholic Education Week and have lots of celebrations planned! On Wednesday, a contingent of students from both campuses will attend Bishop Greg’s celebration of Catholic education at host-school, St Francis Xavier College. Here at our College, there will be music concerts, pancake breakfasts and morning teas, and a special Pastoral Care lesson hosted by our Liturgy and Social Justice Captains, just to name a few highlights! We have much to celebrate about Catholic education in the Diocese of Sale where across the region nearly 20,000 students and 3,000 staff are part of the Catholic education community.
At St Peter’s, we don’t take any members of our community for granted and are grateful and proud that we have a diverse and thriving College that is worth celebrating this Catholic Education Week!
Our Catholic Education Week Prayer
As ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ we, the community of St Peter’s College pray that we can ‘be the reason for hope’ in our world today.
May we be people of courage, and ‘Be Not Afraid’, to work tirelessly for justice and peace.
May we model the love and compassion of Jesus - in our homes, our schools, our neighborhoods, and beyond.
Let our actions reflect kindness, our words offer encouragement, and our lives mirror the immensity of God’s grace.
As Pilgrims of Hope, may we walk in solidarity with others, sharing burdens and offering friendship, bearing witness to our faith and our Catholic education.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Ms Fiona McKenna
Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission