Faith, Mission 

& Identity

The Advent and Christmas seasons often sweep us up in a whirlwind of activities: shopping, planning, concerts and parties. Yet, at its heart, this season is a profound call to pause, reflect and prepare—not just for the exchange of gifts, but for the spiritual renewal that Christmas offers.

The Gift of Advent: A Time for Preparation

We are in the liturgical season of Advent which is more than a countdown; it is a dedicated season for intentional waiting. As our students navigate the pressures of exams, social lives and future decisions, we, too, can benefit from slowing down.

Consider these simple ways to foster reflection within your family this Advent:

Find Moments of Quiet: Light a candle. Gather for even five minutes of silent contemplation to break the cycle of stress. Speak to your family about something that they are grateful for in the midst of driving or getting ready to leave the house.

Create Meaningful Conversations: Use the drive to a sporting event or a holiday gathering to ask open-ended questions like, "What is one hope you have for the world right now?" or "What is something you're grateful for that you usually take for granted?"

Connect Through Service: Encourage your family to choose one specific, impactful way to help someone else this month—it could be volunteering, organising a donation or even just writing a thoughtful letter to an elderly relative. Service grounds us in the true spirit of preparation.

Christmas: Celebrating Light and Connection

Once Christmas Day arrives, the pressure often shifts from preparation to celebration. Amidst the excitement, the core message of hope and love can be easily overlooked.

This Christmas, look for opportunities to deepen your connection with your family:

Prioritise Presence Over Presents: While gifts are lovely, the most enduring memories are made through shared experiences. Schedule time for a family movie night, a walk to see the lights or a morning of baking together.

Share Family Stories: Christmas is a perfect time to share memories—stories of your own childhood Christmases, family traditions or past moments of grace. These narratives help ground one in their family heritage and identity.

Embrace Imperfection: If a tradition doesn't go exactly as planned, remember that the season is about accepting life's realities and finding joy within them. The grace of Christmas applies to imperfect families, too.

Wishing You a Blessed 2026

As the holidays draw to a close and the new year begins, we reflect on the growth and challenges of the past year. High school is a transformative period and both students and parents have worked incredibly hard.

May the peace, joy and hope celebrated during Christmas be a foundation for the year ahead. I wish you and your family a joy-filled, reflective holiday season and a wonderful, prosperous and successful 2026!

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)

On Saturday 31st November, four Brigidine students (Jacqueline, Joely, Ellen and Amelia) were blessed to join over 300 students from Sydney Catholic Schools at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne. Despite the airport delay and cold weather, we were warmly welcomed.

We gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a prayer service for the commencement of ACYF with the special feature of having the World Youth Day Cross and Icon present which was gifted to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul II.

We embarked on a pilgrimage walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. This walk consisted of making new friends and walking alongside priests, nuns, bishops and young people in the rain and sunny weather.

The first evening plenary session that night was an eye-opener. Archbishop Comensoli and Cardinal Bychok welcomed all the pilgrims and there was even a special video appearance from Pope Leo encouraging everyone to seize this opportunity to be open to a relationship with Jesus.

Each day began with a morning plenary session that involved the amazing Emmanuel worship band and keynote speakers such as Fr Rob Galea, Josh Angrisano and Sr Mary Grace. Throughout the festival, we heard about the experiences many young people have had on their faith journey and we were inspired to strengthen our own. Were we able to attend talks like how to love your enemies, getting personal with Jesus, embracing courage and how to have hope when the world goes dark. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Anthony Fischer, participate in Reconciliation and Adoration as well as visit the relics of St Mother Teresa and St Carlo Acutis. This event has allowed us to be more open to developing stronger prayer routines and acknowledge the presence of Jesus in our lives. 

Student experiences:

ACYF was a moving experience that immersed me in a diverse range of new knowledge about my faith. It helped me to connect with my peers as well as to make so many new friends and memories! 

Monica Ribeiro

Director of Religious Education & Mission