Faith Formation

The 31st of March marked the anniversary of the death of US track and field athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936  Berlin Olympics. There is a popular myth that Adolf Hitler was so angered by Owen’s victories (he was African-American) that rather than congratulate Owens, he stormed out of the stadium. The truth is much darker - the snubbing did not come from Hitler, but rather from Owen’s own President, who refused to invite African-American athletes to a victory party at the White House on their return to the USA. It is ironic that the Germans showed greater compassion and understanding towards the African-American athletes than their own country. 

During this Lenten season we have been called to show understanding and compassion towards each other. We’ve participated in Project Compassion fundraising as part of our Lenten observances, and whilst our fundraising this year has fallen short of last year’s great effort, every cent raised will go towards improving the lives of impoverished children and families around the world. I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed towards Project Compassion, from the students and staff who prepared the pancake batter for Shrove Tuesday, those who sold tickets for the Easter Egg raffle, and those who set up and ran our Pauper’s Banquet just last week. Without the compassion and generosity of these students and staff, we could achieve very little. 

The 31st of March also marked the date of the Chrism Mass, with Year Seven students joining with children from St Mary's and other local Catholic schools to observe the blessing of the Sacramental oils to be used in our Diocese over the next twelve months. We are blessed to be able to celebrate our weekly Masses here in our own chapel, in addition to those larger masses such as our Opening Mass at the Cathedral. I’d like to thank our School chaplain Father Eli, who has celebrated the majority of our school Masses this term, as well as Father Paul who has stepped in when Fr Eli has been away. 

This term we have witnessed the return of regular Reconciliation at the College. Father Eli is present at the College every Friday morning from 10 am to 11 am, and dozens of students and staff have made the most of this opportunity to reconcile themselves with God. 

Our retreat program kicked off to a flying start earlier this term, with our Lasallian Youth Leaders, Year Seven and Year Twelve students all participating in one day retreats. In addition to a day out of the classroom, retreats are a genuine opportunity for students and staff to learn more about themselves and their faith. Sometimes retreats can be challenging - but challenges can be a good thing! Next term we’ll hold our Year Ten retreat as well as our staff reflection day at St Albert’s College UNE. Another event to look forward to in Term Two is the return of the Year Ten Assistant Catechist program, with OCCC students working alongside adult Catechists to teach Scripture in local State schools. 

Our term ended with our annual Stations of the Cross Liturgy. We are blessed to have such beautiful grounds to hold the liturgy in, and a huge thank you to the students who took on the different roles in the Stations. As we proceeded through the fourteen stages of the last day of Christ’s life, we were reminded of how quickly triumph can turn into tragedy, but also reminded of the steadfast loyalty of the women and children who stayed with Christ throughout his passion, death and burial.

I’d like to thank the RE faculty at our school for their efforts throughout the term. Teaching Religious Education can be a challenge, but it is also highly rewarding. Our RE teachers work hard to evangelise and catechise - in other words, helping students to come to God in their own way and at their own pace.

As we move out of Lent and into Eastertime, I’d like to wish everyone a blessed and holy Easter, and pray that the joy of Easter enter our hearts, filling them with compassion and understanding for the remainder of the year.

Mr Andrew May

Religious Education Coordinator

Stations of the Cross

Paupers Banquet

Retreats 

LYL Formation Day 

Year 7 Retreat

Year 12 Retreat 

Shrove Tuesday

Ash Wednesday Mass