Faith and Mission
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026, 'All In', is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation each day. It reminds us that reconciliation is not something we observe from a distance. It requires each of us to step forward, take responsibility and be active in building respectful and just relationships.
National Sorry Day, held on 26 May, began following the Bringing Them Home report, which revealed the history of the Stolen Generations. First observed in 1998, it is a day to acknowledge this truth, honour those affected and commit to healing.
National Reconciliation Week, from 27 May to 3 June, grew from the national reconciliation movement. The dates mark the 1967 Referendum and the 1992 Mabo decision and invite all Australians to learn from our shared history and take steps towards a more just and respectful future.
Across the College, students and staff have engaged in a range of meaningful experiences designed to deepen understanding and foster respectful relationships. These have included:
- A National Sorry Day reflection in Homerooms, inviting students into shared understanding
- Library displays and student activities that celebrate Aboriginal culture and storytelling
- A colouring-in competition for our younger students, encouraging early engagement with the themes of belonging and respect
- An Eddie Mabo Lunch and Learn session, offering staff and students an opportunity to deepen their historical awareness
- A range of HASS learning experiences that explore identity, justice and reconciliation
Staff formation led by Yorta Yorta man Scott Darlow, strengthening our shared commitment as educators
A central part of this time has been our Year 8 Reflection Day, where students focused on the theme of respectful relationships. Through the guidance of Sean Oorloff and Scott Darlow, students explored the dignity of each person, the importance of listening and the responsibility we hold in building inclusive and respectful communities.
This learning is deeply connected to the call of reconciliation. Respectful relationships are at the heart of walking together. They invite us to recognise the worth of each person, honour difference and build a community grounded in compassion and justice.
As a College in the Ignatian tradition, we are called to be people of conscience and compassion. In this spirit, may we continue to build a community that is attentive to truth, committed to justice and grounded in hope. May we respond to this invitation by being All In, together.
Janeen Murphy
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission
Community Mass
A special thank you to Fr Sean Fernandez, Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, for celebrating the Eucharist with us this morning. Fr Sean is a good friend to the College and the Archbishop’s representative on the College Council. Thank you also to Year 9 students for their beautiful preparation of this morning’s Eucharist, where we proclaimed the readings for ‘Trinity Sunday’. The feast of the Holy Trinity is one of the Church’s ‘movable feasts’, as it occurs the week after Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter. See below for a short reflection on the significance of this feast.
Next Friday, Year 10 students will prepare the liturgy. As always, everyone is welcome to the Community Liturgy, regardless of which Year group is preparing. Afterwards, there is coffee in the Circle of Friends Café.
Do not be afraid to ask if you have any questions regarding Community Mass. Contact: Mary-Anne Lumley: mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au.
Community Mass details
- College Chapel
- All welcome!
- Fridays in term time
- Starts at 8:00am; concludes at 8:30am.
Sacraments
Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so please don’t hesitate to ask. Below are some useful points of contact:
- The priest or sacrament coordinator in your local parish
- John XXIII College website
- The Archdiocesan website: Parishes & Mass Times
Mary-Anne Lumley: mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au or via phone on
08 9383 0513
Good News for Trinity Sunday
THE GOSPEL
Jesus said to Nicodemus,
‘God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.
(John 3:16-17)
THE REFLECTION
It took the early Christians four hundred years to fully grasp what Jesus was on about when he spoke of his relationship to the Father and Spirit. … They knew the core of God was not an idea or a principle, but was a loving relationship. Furthermore, the early Christians knew that they were invited into this relationship.
What was true for them is true for us. Think about this for a minute: we believe that the God who creates, redeems and sustains the world seeks us out and invites us into a loving relationship. This is what gives us our greatest dignity and urges us on to share this message with everyone we meet. What a privilege! What an invitation! What a God!
It also follows that if relationships are at the core of God then, for those of us who accept the invitation into the Trinity's embrace, relationships are meant to be our core business too. We are not to be isolated believers or private disciples. The degree to which we understand today's feast will be shown in the care we take in our many and varied relationships, be they social, intimate, professional, civic or international.
Every time we do anything to form new and good relationships, mend those which are broken, help other relationships to be deeper and richer or just enjoy the ones we have, we discover one thing: Trinity Sunday is indeed a ‘moveable feast’.
The reflection is part of a longer homily by Jesuit priest, Fr Richard Leonard. Fr Richard is visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Catholic University, has lectured widely and is the author of numerous books.