Catholic Identity & Mission News

Each year in Term 3, St Peter’s College staff participate in a Staff Spirituality Day. With the theme of our Jubilee year being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, our staff day on Friday, August 8, is a day of pilgrimage in the city of Melbourne! We have been planning this day for months and there are 13 itineraries that staff have been able to sign up for – it should be a wonderful, enriching day!

Our bishop, Bishop Greg Bennet, has written to our staff to encourage them on this pilgrim journey. He writes, “A pilgrim can be understood as one who travels to a holy place, usually on foot…. I am pleased to hear that on your Spirituality Day this year you are undertaking a pilgrimage to a number of sites of significance in the life and mission of the Church today. As teachers in a Catholic school, the opportunity to reflect on how you can support the mission of the Church through your vocation as educators of our youth is vital…It is my hope that in participating in this day of pilgrimage, you can be encouraged and inspired to follow the example of all those you meet in offering a Christ-centred vision for living in our society.”

Bishop Greg’s reference to teaching as a ‘vocation’ is very pertinent in a Catholic school. Yes, teaching is a form of paid employment and has rights and entitlements similar to other occupations, but it is often also a vocation for many. A vocation is something that is of deep significance to people and that they devote their time, efforts and often lives too. When a person is a teacher, they have the responsibility and privilege to educate the whole person: academically, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It is not an easy job and arguably, teachers rarely get to ‘switch off’. A day like Staff Spirituality Day aims to give teachers one day where they can explore the religious tradition of the College and take some time to re-charge their batteries. And it is timely that it occurs not only during National Vocations Week, but also on the Feast Day of Australia’s first saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. I ask for your prayers and support for the staff of St Peter’s College as they participate in this important day of formation.

National Vocations Awareness Week

This week, across Australia, the Church celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week—a time dedicated to prayer, reflection, and encouragement for all people to listen to God's call in their lives. Whether it be the call to priesthood, religious life, married life, or single life, each of us is invited to respond to God’s call with generosity and faith.

During this week, let us pray in a special way for more vocations to Priesthood and Religious life. Let us also pray for those discerning their vocation, for those who have already answered the call, and for hearts open to God's guiding voice.

May we each be renewed in the desire to live out our unique calling with love, courage, joy, and hope.

Ms Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission