Faith, Justice and Formation

Friday Masses – Term 3 

Please join us, if you can, each Friday at 8:10 AM in the Chapel for Mass. It's so important to build and nourish our community by having staff, students and parents/carers at these Masses, as a shared expression of our faith and commitment to each other. Everybody is very welcome!

Here is the list of which group will lead each Mass, but you can come to any Mass. 

God bless you all for the term ahead. 

Confession Before Friday Morning Mass 

Without a chaplain, the College has been restricted with many things we would like to offer, including Reconciliation / Confession. However, thanks to the generosity of Fr John Hayes, we will trial having an opportunity for Confession prior to Friday Morning Mass. 

Fr John will be available between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM. It will be first come, first served. He will need to conclude by 8:00 AM to prepare for Mass. Confession will take place on the altar on the right side as you face the tabernacle. To guarantee your ability to see Fr John you should arrive earlier. Arriving at 7:55 AM and expecting him to be available could be problematic. Students will have priority over adults, but staff and parents/carers are also welcome.  

After three weeks we will assess the take up of this opportunity to see if we will continue when the priest is available. 

Invitation to the St Patrick’s College Parent Retreat

Would you like a chance to get away for 24 hours? Would you like to connect more deeply with other parents/carers? Would you like some time to enhance your own spirituality? Would you like to learn more about the EREA Charter and how it can impact your life, as well as the life of your sons? What is the Edmund Rice Charism all about? 

The SPC Identity Team invite you to a unique opportunity. You are invited to the SPC Parent Retreat 2026, which will run if there is enough interest.

It will be a relaxed environment with the freedom to engage. It will not be intimidating or imposing. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible and for you to go as deep as you would like. You will have the chance to experience a little of what the students do on their Senior Retreat, and you will engage with material that staff have been exposed to in the deepening of our commitment to being a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

You will have 24 hours without having to cook, clean or look after others. This is an opportunity for you!

If you are interested, could you complete this Expression of Interest form by 3:00 PM on Friday 7 August please? 

SPC Parent Retreat 2026 – Fill out form

Confirmation and payment will be required by Friday 14 August so we can lock in accommodation.

For any questions, please email gillian.daley@spc.nsw.edu.au.

Take a chance! Step out of your comfort zone and see what it’s all about. 😊

AIM Initiative – Year 6  

The AIM Initiative - the day that would change our lives forever. Recently, the Junior School Leadership Team and one representative from each class in Year 6 visited St Edmund’s in Wahroonga to observe how intellectual disabilities affect many people today, how everyone copes with these disabilities, and how we can help. Before we get into life changing things, let's walk through what an intellectual disability is. An intellectual disability is something that puts limitations on certain things for someone, such as learning, speaking, judgment and many more things that develop before the age of 18.  

All of the representatives took part in some interesting activities such as how to guide a visually impaired person, how to write in brail as well as learning about the several types of intellectual disabilities. We were also able to interact with students from the College and assist in the classrooms. We were especially amazed by the mini Woolies that they run, but unfortunately, no one had money. By far the most enjoyable activity we could all agree on, was experiencing what it would be like to be visually impaired. We were lead outside with a cane and blindfold and directed through a long route with no vision at all, just complete trust in the cane. We had to dodge obstacles (flag poles) and eventually we were surprised to see we ended up at the same point we started and that long route, turned out to be a small circle through the garden. 

To sum up, the AIM Initiative was an experience that changed our lives forever. Whether it was interacting with students, learning about disabilities, or participating in activities, their goal was definitely fulfilled; the goal of encouraging us to advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. 

Matteo S. and Maroun A. 

Junior School Leadership Team

Celebrating the Feast of St Mary of the Cross – Australia’s Saint

The Feast Day of Mary MacKillop is just around the corner; on Saturday 8 August. All are invited by Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Mary and take an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of her life – and in general, to give thanks and have a space to reflect on the many blessings in your own lives. 

Join the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Mary MacKillop Place as they celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Saturday 8 August. Make a pilgrimage to Mary's tomb, spend time in prayer in the Chapel, and celebrate the Eucharist with the community at one of the Feast Day Masses:

• 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM – Chapel

• 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM – Glen Roy Green (outdoors) [These Masses will be AusLan interpreted, and the 10:00 AM Mass will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.]

   

See the flyers below for details about other activities on the day and surrounding days, including information about how you can contribute to a connected justice action and different prayer opportunities.

For the full Feast Day program, information and more, visit www.marymackillopplace.org.au or contact ministries@mmp.org.au.

Gillian Daley 

Director of Identity