R.E News - Assistant Principal - Mission

This Sunday marks Social Justice Sunday. This is a long tradition in the Catholic Church in Australia dating back to 194O. Bishops all over Australia come together to issue a statement regarding social justice. The theme this year is "To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today".  

In the Bishop's statement we are called to reject stigmatisation, to work for the transformation of social determinants of mental ill-health, and to call for policies and service provision that meets the needs of the poorest and most marginalised members of our community.  The statement is considered and relevant to life today. Please read the statement as it is provided here.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching plays a prominent part of the curriculum and everyday life at O'Connor. Part of this is understanding how we "do" social justice. A simple model follows the following steps.

1. You turn up. Nothing can be done without the willingness of someone to help. 

2. You listen. It is important to listen to people's stories, their feelings and their needs.

3. You reflect on those stories. Make meaning, think, discuss and consider options and consequences.

4. You act. You do the work.

In greater detail, the following principles regarding social justice need to be considered. The following is from the Caritas website.

1. Preferential treatment for the poor. We live in an amazing world with enough resources for everyone. Yet, many miss out.

2. Dignity of the human person We are made in God’s image. This means we each have a God-given dignity.

3. Care for our common home. We are responsible for looking after the world we live in.

4. Participation. The role of people in positions of power is to look after the good of all.

5. The common good. We can only live life in all its fullness when we are in relationship with others – through community.

6. Solidarity. We should commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the good of all, to stand in solidarity with our one human family.

The following is a link to the Caritas website explaining these in more detail. Many of our students will be very familiar with this resource.

Mass for the remainder of the term is;

September 2 - 10.PAC3, 10.PAC4 and 10.PAC5

September 9 - 9.PAC3 and 9.PAC4

September 23 - 9PAC.3 and 9PAC.4

Mr Damian Roff

Lasallian Volunteer Applications 2021

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Keeping in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral Parish is easy through their website and facebook pages.