Faith and Mission
Indigenous Culture
‘Warami Mittigar’ – which means “Hello friends... welcome!” in the local Darug language.
Celebrating Indigenous Student Leadership & Culture in 2025
Our Senior Indigenous students will have the opportunity to attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior Students Forum at CathWest Innovation College next week. The forum is a culturally rich and inspiring day designed to support students as they begin exploring future pathways into university, TAFE, apprenticeships and the workforce. Students will participate in cultural activities, hear the inspiring story of Louise Luu, a proud Wangkangurru Yarluyandi woman with Vietnamese heritage, and connect with alumni, career advisors and support networks available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
At St Luke’s Catholic College, we are incredibly proud of the leadership shown by our Indigenous students across the school community. Recently, our Indigenous students have been leading the Acknowledgement of Country within our School of Foundations using the St Luke’s Acknowledgement written by students from our own College. This has been a powerful opportunity for students to share culture, deepen understanding and foster respect and connection across our community. We thank our Indigenous students for the pride, leadership and wisdom they continue to bring to St Luke’s.
Faith and Formation
Liturgy
Liturgical Music
Leaping into Term 2, there are many opportunities for students and staff to encounter and engage with their faith. The choir is in full swing with students learning new songs and hymns. The past couple of weeks students have been rehearsing for our Mother’s Day Liturgy. Choir rehearsals take place each Thursday from 2:45–3:45pm in the Music Space. It is not too late to sign up!
St Luke’s is also beginning an audition process for students who are interested in collaborating in a Liturgical Band. This band is open to students in the School of Entrepreneurs. Students who are interested in using their talents in prayer and worship for liturgies and other school events should audition.
Students who wish to audition are asked to meet in the music rooms on Friday the 15th (Week 4) at Lunch in the music rooms.
We are auditioning for the following roles:
- Guitarist
- Keyboardist
- Drummer
- Vocalist
- Bass Guitarist
Auditions will be held in Week 5.
If you can play a band instrument (Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet) and are interested in auditioning, please contact Mr. Tromp mtromp2@parra.catholic.edu.au
Holy Week and the Risen Christ
At the end of Term 1, we were delighted to welcome Andrew Chinn to St Luke’s as we gathered to celebrate and commemorate Holy Week. Through music and singing, students explored the story of the Last Supper, the death of Jesus, and His Resurrection.
The students were highly engaged throughout the experience, and the music helped bring these important events to life in a meaningful and memorable way. It provided a wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the significance of Easter.
Living as an Easter People
On Tuesday of Week 1, Term 2, our Stage 2 students brought the Resurrection of Christ to life through a moving and meaningful dramatisation. Through this experience, students explored the significance of the Resurrection and reflected on how Jesus brings hope into our lives.
It was a deeply prayerful and memorable moment for all involved, inviting us to consider what it means to live as Easter people. We are called to be ‘alive’ with joy—lifting our eyes, walking with heads held high, and embracing a spirit of hope rather than discouragement.
As a community, we are reminded to be the hands and feet of the risen Jesus, sharing His love and joy with others each day.
Parish Mass
Students across the College will continue to attend the Thursday 9:00 am Mass in the church. Families are warmly invited to join us as we gather in prayer and celebration.
Faith In Action
Music Therapy
Selected students in Stage 4 will continue to attend Music Therapy once a fortnight on Mondays, where they learn new songs while engaging with residents and building meaningful relationships.?
Through our regular visits to Marsden Park Community Care, students sing with residents and form genuine connections, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
This experience reflects our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching—particularly the dignity of the human person and the call to build community—as students demonstrate compassion, respect and care for others.
Month of May - Rosary
Throughout May, students and teachers across K–12 are invited to come together each lunchtime to pray a decade of the Rosary in honour of Mary, our Mother.
Each day, we will reflect on the Sacred Mysteries, taking time to pause, pray and grow in faith as a united, faith-filled community.
This beautiful expression of devotion will continue each lunchtime for the remainder of May. All students are warmly invited to join us.
Students are invited at lunchtime to go to the Wizards classroom on level 2 of the School of Foundations daily through the month of May. All are welcome!!
LIFTED Junior and Rise
Stage 3 and Stage 4 students were invited to the LIFTED Rise event at Nagle College, Blacktown. This initiative was facilitated by Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) in partnership with the CSPD Mission Team.
The day offered a rich and engaging experience, with uplifting music, moments of reflection, meaningful conversations, and opportunities for students to deepen their faith within a vibrant Catholic community. Offered on a voluntary basis, the event invited students to encounter Jesus through live music, personal testimony, group discussion, and prayer.
A highlight of the day was guest presenter and Catholic musician Lou Daniels, who was a headline performer at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne last year.
Faith In Action: Vinnies Sandwiches
This term, Vinnies Sandwiches has recommenced, offering students a practical opportunity to serve and support the wider community.
Through this initiative, students live out our school values by showing compassion, generosity and care for those in need. It reflects key principles of Catholic Social Teaching—especially the call to serve the poor and vulnerable and to uphold the dignity of every person. The next opportunity to contribute to this initiative is Friday May 8 and then June 19. If you are interested in helping, please contact Miss Saab.
Faith in Action: Supporting Vinnies Van Outreach
This term, our Mini Vinnies students will have the opportunity to put their faith into action by preparing snack packs for those in need. Working together, students will assemble 100 snack packs that will be distributed through the Vinnies Van service in Greystanes, supporting individuals and families across the Parramatta and Mt Druitt communities.
This initiative is closely connected to learning in Religious Education. Teachers have intentionally linked classroom learning to Faith in Action opportunities, helping students understand how Catholic Social Teaching calls us to care for the poor and vulnerable and uphold the dignity of every person.
We are grateful to have secured the food items needed for this project and look forward to seeing our students live out the Gospel through compassion, generosity and service.
From our Parish Community…
Our Parish, Our Story – St Luke’s 2025
We’re excited to share this special booklet featuring highlights of parish life and reflections from our ministry teams. Click the link to view: https://redirme.com/2sahhe
WALKING WITH CHRIST:
Fortnightly on Thursdays at 7.00pm in the Parish Office. Next session: 14th May. Looking
for space to grow in faith, explore Scripture, and walk with others in our parish community?
Come and join us! For more information, email: marsdenpark@parracatholic.org
Parish Ministry Recruitment Drive – 23/24 May
This Pentecost weekend, our parish will host a Ministry Recruitment Drive. Come and learn about the different ministries and how you can get involved. We invite all parishioners to prayerfully consider sharing their time and talents in service of our parish community.
St Luke’s Night of Masquerade
St Luke’s Parish invites you to:
Parish Contacts
Should you need to contact the St Luke’s Parish Community, the contact details follow
here:
Fr Gayan Thamel: gayan.thamel@parracatholic.org
Parish Priest
Ged Oblea: ged@stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au
Parish Secretary Ph: (02) 7261-0246. Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukesmarsdenpark