Faith and Mission

Term 3 is a special time for our community to reflect on our Founders. On Friday, 19 July, we celebrated Loreto Heritage Day. Next week, we also acknowledge St Ignatius of Loyola’s Feast Day, and on Friday, we will be celebrating John XXIII Day. Each of our founders has shaped the identity and mission of our College, grounding us firmly in the Ignatian tradition and guiding our commitment to education, faith, justice and service.

Pope John XXIII, affectionately known as 'Good Pope John,' was a beacon of hope and renewal in the Catholic Church. His papacy, though brief, left an indelible mark through his convening of the Second Vatican Council, which aimed to modernise the Church and make it more accessible to the contemporary world. His spirit of openness, compassion, and dedication to social justice continues to inspire our College community. At John XXIII College, we strive to embody his vision by fostering an environment where every student feels valued, encouraged to explore their faith, and empowered to contribute positively to society.

Mary Ward, a trailblazer for women's education, founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) in the early 17th century. Her unwavering belief in the importance of educating women was revolutionary for her time and continues to resonate today. Mary Ward's commitment to education, faith, and social justice aligns seamlessly with the values we uphold at John XXIII College. Her courage, resilience, and dedication to empowering young women serve as a powerful example for our students, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), laid the foundation for Ignatian spirituality, which emphasises finding God in all things, discerning God's will, and striving for the greater glory of God (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam). His Spiritual Exercises, a set of meditations and prayers, continue to guide individuals in their spiritual journeys. At John XXIII College, Ignatian principles shape our educational approach, encouraging students to develop a reflective mindset, seek justice, and engage in service to others. Ignatius's legacy challenges us to cultivate a deep and personal relationship with God and to use our gifts for the betterment of humanity.

As we celebrate our Mission Day next Friday, let us remember the incredible contributions of Pope John XXIII, Mary Ward, and Ignatius of Loyola. Their legacies, grounded in their commitment to Christ, continue to inspire us to live out our mission with passion and purpose. Together, as a community, we strive to create a world where faith and education go hand in hand, fostering a more just, compassionate, and inclusive society.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Community Mass

Ward House will prepare the next Community Eucharist, which will be on Friday, 9 August. All families are welcome, and Ward especially so. There is always coffee and a buzz of conversation in the Circle of Friends Café straight after Mass, and all are invited. 

Community Mass is held weekly in the Chapel on Friday mornings, commencing at 8:00am and concluding at 8:30am. There are a few variations in Term 3, so the schedule is shown below. 

If you have any queries regarding Community Mass, please contact mary-anne.lumley@johnxxiii.edu.au. 

The College celebration of NAIDOC

Last Friday, Secondary students participated in a Smoking Ceremony for NAIDOC Week, which occurred during the holidays. The ceremony was led by Noongar Traditional Owner, Matthew McGuire, and assisted by members of his family.

In his words of welcome, Matthew spoke to the NAIDOC theme of ‘Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud & Proud’. Matthew reflected that ‘loud’ is not synonymous with boisterous; on the contrary, some of the most powerful voices are quiet and considered. He also proposed that, while NAIDOC week is a time of celebration, the strong culture of Aboriginal people endures, and the connection to the lands and waterways is unbroken. Matthew concluded with a Noongar song about a spider whose web is fragile, yet gifts people with a sense of interconnection within a web of unity. Matthew then invited students to engage in the Smoking Ceremony. The Smoking Ceremony ‘cleanses the spirit, body and soul whilst on Noongar Country [and] signifies something new’.[1] It was a wonderful way to commence Semester 2!

[1] Kaartdijin Noongar (noongarculture.org.au)

GOOD NEWS for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Scripture – John 6:1-15

Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and a large crowd followed him. Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ 

Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.’ 

One of his disciples, Andrew, said, ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ 

Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand sat down. 

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted. When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted.’ So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. 

Reflection on the Scripture

Australian writer and historian, Nick Brodie, offers this reflection, based on a longer homily by Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis draws our attention to the boy’s role in today’s Gospel passage. He ‘makes us think’, the Pope says. ‘His compassion moved him to offer what he had.’

There is no suggestion in the Gospel that the loaves and fish were forcibly taken from the boy. Rather, it is implied that they were his gift. An act of human charity is, therefore, a key element in Jesus’ miracle.

Another noteworthy factor is Jesus’ sense of priority. This episode, the Pope points out, ‘shows us again that Jesus is attentive to people’s primary needs’. This has implications for we who seek to follow him.

After all, the boy was discovered because Jesus prompted his disciples to think about how they could feed the crowd. As the Pope says, ‘the people were hungry and Jesus engaged his disciples so that this hunger could be satisfied.’

While Jesus offered the crowd much more than food – ‘his Word, his solace, his salvation, ultimately his life’ – he did not neglect their physical needs. ‘And we, his disciples, cannot ignore this’, the Pope affirms. We are called to follow the example of Jesus, his apostles, and the boy with a few loaves and fish. We must not turn our backs on the people or retreat from the world. We must face up to the reality we find – and do what we can. 

© Nick Brodie