Mission and Identity
- Into the Heart and Home Again - Returning from Africa Part 2
- Blessed Carlo Acutis Relic received in Chatswood
- Term 4 begins with Jesus at the centre
Into the Heart and Home Again - Returning from Africa Part 2
While in Africa, we were asked to be warriors of a different narrative, and to share with you their stories. Stories from the heart. The video below has been created as part of our promise to increase advocacy for our sisters and brothers in Kenya and Uganda. Please take some time to view the video:
https://vimeo.com/user118193577
Below is the second of three testimonies that we would like to share with you. The testimony below is shared from Mr Balboa: "On Day 9 of our ‘Into the Heart’ Immersion with the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia, we found ourselves in Mannya, Uganda. There is a unique form of ‘light’ there and it’s name is Fr Emma. This walking talking shrine of hope leads many projects here, but in particular, he leads St Joseph’s Kinsekka Vocation Secondary School.
Serving a community facing intergenerational trauma resulting from previous genocide, and the ongoing impact of HIV, this school offers the only beacon of hope in a region facing almost 100% unemployment.
At midday the school community crammed into a classroom for Mass. We were rendered to tears at the palpable love expressed for God by all present. When pockets are empty and stomachs are empty, the hymns that are offered up stir the soul in ways that are beyond reckoning. The Mass was so beautiful and painfully humbling.
I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach a class at St Joseph's, and I will forever carry the joy that emanated from those moments. The smiles on the students' faces were not just expressions of happiness, but symbols of resilience and hope. In a place where challenges often outweigh opportunities, the simple act of teaching took on a sacred quality. It wasn’t just about sharing knowledge; it was about planting seeds of possibility, of showing these young minds that they, too, have the power to shape their futures. The connection we shared was profound—despite some language barriers, the classroom became a space filled with inspiration, where every smile felt like a light piercing through difficult circumstances.
The school, which had only just received electricity six months ago, stood as a testament to the spirit of determination and progress. This small victory, seemingly insignificant to some, transformed the way education was delivered in Mannya. Electricity meant more than lights—it signified opportunity. It enabled the use of essential resources that were once out of reach and opened doors to new possibilities for both students and teachers. To see the glow of light in the classroom reflected in the eyes of students was to witness the transformative power of hope in action.
In the surrounding parish, there is another beacon of hope: coffee. In an area where people have few resources, the parish initiated a project, giving those in need the opportunity to grow coffee crops. This simple gift has yielded more than just plants—it has brought dignity and a renewed sense of purpose to families. The program offers a sustainable income, with each small crop yielding about $200 AUD annually. This may seem modest, but it is life-changing for the people here. The parish purchases and processes the coffee beans, ensuring that profits are reinvested into the program, allowing it to grow and reach more families. This initiative exemplifies the true meaning of empowerment—equipping people with the tools they need to sustain themselves while uplifting the entire community.
For a school facing so many shadows, Fr Emma is a spark that has ignited a Pentecost blaze that is unrelenting. His leadership, filled with vision, compassion, and an unshakable belief in the potential of every young person, is lighting the path forward. He understands that education is not just about academics; it is about nurturing the heart, mind, and soul of each student. His work, and that of St Joseph’s, embodies the spirit of Pentecost—a fire that once lit, spreads hope, ignites faith, and brings about transformative change. Every step he takes is a step towards a future where the youth of Mannya are not defined by their challenges but empowered by their dreams.
Now that we are home, we are seeking your help. We are seeking assistance not for charity but for development. The Edmund Rice Foundation Australia and their projects on the ground dont provide a hand out, but a hand up. Through increased advocacy and fundraising, we can connect our networks and can turn financial resourcing from trickle to a flood, to support these vital projects.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says when you did it to the least of my family, you did it directly to me. As we unveil opportunities to assist in the coming months, please answer the call as we continue our journey into the heart."
Blessed Carlo Acutis Relic received in Chatswood
We experienced a transcendent celebration as a relic of the soon to be first millennial saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis, was installed at Our Lady of Dolours Chatswood last Friday evening.
It was moving to witness a number of our new student leaders contemplate that sainthood was ‘mission possible’.
Carlo Acutis, was an Italian teenager who died of cancer in 2006 at age 15. He used the internet to share his faith in God. Known as 'God’s influencer,' he is now on the road to be the first millennial to become a Saint in 2025.
Carlo was born to Italian parents Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano in London. The family soon moved to Milan, Italy where Carlo grew up. From a young age, he exhibited a strong love for Jesus and a deep devotion to the Eucharist, attending Mass daily and praying the Rosary, for he also had a vibrant love for Mary.
His mother noted that Carlo was the one who encouraged the family to return to Mass. Carlo had a great love for sport, for the environment, and a passion for technology which he used to develop his website researching
Eucharistic miracles. He served as a Catechist and was deeply attentive to the poor who lived near him.
In 2006, at just 15 years old, Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia. He faced his illness with courage, offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church. He died on 12 October 2006.
Carlo was beatified on 10 October 2020, and is to be canonised next year. He is the first millennial saint and has been dubbed the ‘Patron Saint of the internet and gamers’.
Last Friday, Our Lady of Dolours Chatswood received a relic - a small lock of his hair - and has been placed inside a chapel dedicated to him. Our parish is the only church in Australia to have a relic of the first millennial saint and is open to anyone who would like to spend some quiet prayer there.
The beautiful prayer below captures important threads of Blessed Carlo’s example:
Dear Blessed Carlo Acutis,
You lived a life of passion and purpose, always staying close to Jesus and making Him your best friend.
I look up to you as an example of how to live my faith boldly and authentically in today's world.
Help me to embrace my uniqueness and never become a mere photocopy.
Guide me to use my talents, like you did with computers and sports, to glorify God and serve others.
Teach me to find joy in the Euchartist and to make time for prayer in my busy life.
When I face challenges, give me the courage to stay true to my values and always seek God's will.
May the Eucharist become my highway to heaven.
Blessed Carlo, pray for me that I may grow in holiness and be a light to those around me.
Help me to live each day with joy, love, and a heart full of faith.
Amen
Congratulations Fr David and the parish team for an amazing Mass. Thank you to our new Year 12 Leaders for taking time out of their holidays to be present in prayer as the relic and chapel were unveiled.
Term 4 begins with Jesus at the centre
Term 4 has commenced with Jesus at the centre for students and staff alike. College Staff gathered on Monday for a Staff Formation Day exploring what the miracles and parables of Jesus teach us about being a community of radical inclusivity. On Tuesday our new Year 12 leaders gathered with students and staff from Mercy in our College Chapel to begin their Year 12 journey with the Eucharist.
We wish all students, staff and families a blessed beginning to Term 4
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity