Faith and Mission

Faith and Formation

ACBC Social Justice Statement Launch 2024/25

Hundreds of students, teachers and staff from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese came together at West HQ Rooty Hill recently for the 2024-2025 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Social Justice Statement Schools Launch: Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.

The launch was attended by Year 8 and 9 students from St Luke’s as well as students from more than 20 schools around the diocese. The launch was celebrated as part of the Parramatta Diocese’s LIFTED GO event which invites students to come together to better understand and consider the role they can play in improving social and environmental justice issues in the world.

"LIFTED GO was an inspiring day for our students to encounter the call of Jesus to seek peace in a world through the Social Justice Statement,” said Mark Smith, CSPD Executive General Manager Mission. “This is a particularly powerful call today with so much suffering caused by conflict. I hope our students return to their schools empowered by this call of Jesus to seek peace in and for our world."

Students discussed current conflicts in the Middle East and around the world and how they deal with conflict in their own schools and communities. They considered the importance of trust, which is based on truth, in being able to achieve peace.

Liturgy

Official Blessing and Opening of St Luke’s Catholic College

The building program for St Luke’s Catholic College was finalised earlier this year, due to this we celebrated our Official Opening and Blessing on Wednesday October 30.  We welcomed Bishop Vincent, the Bishop of Parramatta, along with the Member of Parliament for Londonderry; Deputy Premier; Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Carr, Episcopal Vicar for Education, Very Reverend Robert Riedling EV; Pastoral Director of St Luke’s Faith Community, Deacon Tony Hoban; and the Executive Director of Education, Parramatta Diocese: Mr Jack de Groot along with Mr Anthony Karam a member of the Board of Directors for Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

Bishop Vincent lead us in liturgy.  His words and encouragement have truly set a strong foundation for the journey ahead at our College.

We are also deeply grateful to everyone who attended—students, families, staff, and community members. Your support and participation showcased the strength and spirit of our school community, and we couldn’t be more thankful for your involvement in this milestone.

On the same afternoon, the whole school community came together to celebrate this important event for the college. As a Catholic community, we celebrated this milestone by participating in a liturgy.  Deacon Tony reminded us that even by being a big College, we aim to be small and recognise each member of our community.

Social Outreach

Operation Christmas Child 

A big thank you to all families who donated Christmas boxes for children overseas, through our ‘Operation Christmas Child’ outreach initiative. Boxes should have been dropped into the office last week ready for their delivery to the drop-off location. 

Vinnie’s Christmas Hampers

This term our main social justice focus in term 4 is the Christmas Hampers for families in need, through the St. Vincent De Paul Society. 

Each class has been given a particular item we would like donated so that we can create hampers for families doing it tough this year. Below is a table detailing items required from each class group. 

All donations need to be in by week 9, so that we have enough time to pack and send hampers. To uphold the dignity of those receiving the goods, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for 6 months. All items must be non-perishable.

As always, thank you for your support and generosity. It is greatly appreciated! 

YCS @ St Luke's:

Diocesan YCS Leadership Retreat at St Luke’s Catholic College

On 21st November 2024, St Luke’s Catholic College will proudly host the Diocesan YCS Leadership Retreat from 9 am to 2 pm. This impactful day will bring together Young Christian Student (YCS) leaders from across the Diocese, with workshops led by both student leaders and experienced YCW leaders. The retreat aims to deepen Catholic formation among YCS leaders, foster relationships, and collaboratively develop action plans for 2025.

Through a focus on "Servant Leadership," participants will gain essential organisational and interpersonal skills, equipping them to lead in a world that is ever-changing. This retreat is an opportunity for young leaders to grow in faith, connect with peers, and prepare to make a positive impact in their communities.

Julie Atkins

Faith & Formation Team