Religious Education News

The last fortnight in our Church has been one of great change. Over the same night, we witnessed the ordination of a new Bishop for our Diocese (Bishop Peter Murphy) as well as a new Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, who has now taken on the name of Leo XIV.Popes always choose their names very carefully. Pope Francis chose his name because of his admiration for Saint Francis of Asissi who was famous for his care for the poor and marginalised in his world. Pope Leo chose this name to show that he shares in the same

 care and concern for the working poor that the previous Pope Leo did at the end of the 19th Century. Pope Leo XIII wrote about the rights and responsibilities of workers and their employers, the need to pay a fair wage for fair work, and the need for employers to treat workers with dignity. As our new Pope Leo stated, the previous Leo was a ‘social justice Pope’, and it’s his intention to continue on this great work.

Last term, our College community showed great commitment to social justice, raising almost $3000 for Project Compassion. It was fantastic to see students and staff getting behind the different activities that we ran, such as the Pauper’s Banquet and the Friday hot chip sales. A huge thank you to the senior students who led many of the fundraising activities. The money raised went to support aid projects in Samoa, Vietnam and the Central African Republic. This term we shift our attention to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, and in a few weeks baskets will appear in each PAC classroom, ready to be filled with clothing, blankets and other items that will go to help the needy in our local community. We’ve been supporting the appeal for decades now, and in the 50th year of the College it would be amazing to see every basket filled to overflowing. 

The focus on social justice carries over into our Religious Education lessons. This term, Year Seven are learning about the sacred scriptures that guide us in our care and concern for the poor and needy. Year Eight are learning about significant Catholics who have fought (and sometimes died) for justice in our world. Year Nine students are studying how our faith helps to give meaning to our lives, whilst Year Ten are growing in their understanding of how we live in community with each other, and how the Sacraments of Holy Orders and Marriage are two ways in which we can care for one another. 

This term, Year 10 students have commenced supporting the Parish’s Scripture classes at Ben Venue and Newling Public schools. This is the fourth year that this program has run and it’s great to see our next generation of leaders volunteering their time to help young people learn more about their faith. Our Year 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders will help run the Year 10 retreat in a month’s time, as well as support the next STEP Day as small group leaders. All of these activities and initiatives reinforce the meaning of our school motto, The Fruit of the Spirit is Love. 

Mr Andrew May

Religious Education Coordinator

Our Founders - St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle

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.

With such a difficult year and a half it has been harder for parishioner's to give to the parish through the plates, particularly when the church is closed as it is at present. The Parish account details are available on the Parish bulletin. 

Cathedral Parish Website

Information about our founders

La Salle Website

Ursuline Sisters Website