Catholic Identity
Catholic Identity Leader: Mrs Elizabeth Holligan
Reflection Friday 7 February 2025
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 9 February 2025
Welcome to this new school year. To those of you returning, welcome back! To those of you who are new to the school this year we extend a very special welcome to St Anne’s College. Welcome to our college. Welcome to your college. Because you’ve joined us, we are now a whole new college community.
We begin this school year in prayer, entrusting to God all that we will do this year and asking God to be with us through all the ups and downs of our journey. We begin the year with prayer because we recognise that we live and move and have our being only through the grace of God and only through the light of God in our lives.
We begin our school year together by reminding ourselves that we are always in the light and presence of God.
Last weekend was significant both in the Church season and for our college. Parish Priest, Fr Rene Ramirez RCJ, was ordained as a Bishop on Saturday at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. We send our prayers and best wishes to Fr Rene in his new mission as Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. This coming Sunday you are welcome to join our college and St Mel’s Parish community at Christ the King Church for 5pm Sunday evening Mass in Thanksgiving for Bishop Rene, his ordination as Bishop, and to wish him all the best in his future mission. May Christ guide Bishop Rene as he leads others towards the life giving waters of Christ's Divine Love.
General Notices - Catholic Identity Leader
St Mel’s Parish 2025 Sacramental Program
St Anne’s College, as part of St Mel’s Parish, partners with St Mel’s Primary School and the Parish to run the Parish Sacramental Program each year. Once this year’s program has been finalised, dates will be published in the Parish Bulletin and in our college communication channels. The Confirmation and Eucharist Sacramental Program is recommended for Catholic children in Grade 4 and above. The Reconciliation Sacramental Program is recommended for Catholic children in Grade 3 and above. Further information can be obtained by contacting the St Mel’s Parish office via (03) 5831 2194 between 9.30am and 2.30pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Voucher Fundraising
We have received thanks from the South Shepparton St Vincent de Paul Society, for all the support provided by the St Anne’s College community last year and particularly for the donation of food vouchers totalling over $3,000 in Term 4 last year. Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul Conference assists many members of the local community facing challenging times financially and personally. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraising last year.
Whole School Opening Mass
Our opening school mass is a very significant way the St Anne’s College community, students, family and friends celebrate the opening of our new school year. Last Tuesday we were blessed to have Fr Ruel and Fr Ronald celebrate our opening school Mass with us. Fr Ruel reminded us of the importance of love in our lives and our love towards each other as we live our lives as pilgrims of hope.
As a Catholic school, we value the opportunity to gather together and pray as a community and encourage family and friends of all faith backgrounds to join us at our future Mass and Liturgies.
Religious Education Curriculum Changes 2025
Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd has released the revamped Religious Education Curriculum across the Diocese. Together with all other Catholic schools in the Sandhurst Diocese, St Anne’s College students commenced the year with this new revised Source of Life Religious Education Curriculum. I am happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the revised Source of Life Religious Education Curriculum.
Upcoming events
We have a very busy term ahead, highlights include Project Compassion, Caritas fundraising, Ash Wednesday, Lent and Stations of the Cross. May our good God guide us as a community to share our talents and to show love towards each other.
God Bless.
-Mrs Elizabeth Holligan, Catholic Identity Leader.