Faith Formation
and Mission
Vinnies Winter Appeal
As the weather has cooled down, our student leaders have been busy leading the school’s Vinnies Winter Appeal.
In Week 9 our SRC team of Years 7-11 representatives and Year 12 Captains generously contributed a delicious spread of baked goods. Macarons, cakes, slices, muffins and biscuits were snapped up by eager staff and students, with lines stretching across the Courtyard. Also in Week 9, a lolly guessing competition was held. There was plenty of interest in winning the enormous jar, but there could only be one winner - congratulations to Mrs Fellows, whose grandchildren were the lucky recipients of 467 lollies!
In Week 10 the team shifted their focus to the inaugural College Freeze Out. Through our cold winters, some people in the Wagga community cannot afford to heat their homes. Others are sleeping rough, exposed to bitterly cold nights and frosts. It can be easy to forget, as we enjoy the comforts of our beautiful facilities here at the College, just how hard this must be.
For the Freeze Out, the heaters at the College were turned off. Students and staff were all encouraged to donate just $2 to Vinnies. Generous hearts were on display with many people donating over that amount. With our target reached, the heaters went back on at the start of Lesson 4.
Students were also encouraged to bring items to donate to Vinnies. The sight of so many of our students walking up the hill to the school carrying bags of donations was truly heartwarming. We were also grateful to Maree Halloran, a friend of the Mater Dei community, who personally knitted 100 scarves as part of this donation drive.
At the culmination of this two week appeal, our community has raised $2,479.37 for the Vinnies Winter Appeal - thank you to everyone for your generous support. It is wonderful to see what we can achieve as a team, letting our light shine out for the benefit of the broader community.
We are continuing to collect donations for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. In particular we are looking for winter woolies and toiletries. If you and your family are able to donate, these can be dropped into the front office.
| Winter Woolies | Toiletries |
|---|---|
| Blankets | Soap |
| Scarves | Deodorant |
| Beanies | Body Wipes |
| Gloves | Shampoo |
| Warm Jumpers | Toothpaste Toothbrush |
| Socks | Combs / Hairbrush |
| Coats / Jackets | Sanitary Items |
| New underwear |
Year 11 Reflection Day
Don't forget – Year 11 Reflection Day is on next Monday, 29th June!
This on-site faith formation program, held in our Marian Centre, will be led by Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries.
What's the Focus?
The day will explore a concept deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus, Servant Leadership. Jesus taught us in Mark 10:42-44 that true leadership isn't about power, but about serving others and making the world a more just and caring place. Through interactive workshops, our students will discover how to become leaders who prioritise the wellbeing of their peers and community.
This program connects perfectly with our ongoing Student Leadership initiatives, which will continue on Tuesday, June 30.
Important Information:
- Date: Monday, June 29th (All Day)
Location: Marian Centre (on-site)
Attire: Sports Uniform
Refreshments: A light morning tea with cake and fruit will be provided. Students with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring their own snacks.
We know Reflection Day will be a powerful experience for our Year 11 students. Thank you for supporting their growth in faith and leadership!
Staff Formation Day
On Friday 5 June, Mater Dei staff gathered for their annual Staff Formation Day. Centred around the poet Eugenio Montale’s reminder that “Our only hope is something unexpected”, staff stepped back from their daily routines to explore new perspectives and the Christian Claim.
Gathered at the Wagga Wagga Country Club on a beautiful winter’s morning, staff listened to guest lecturer Dr Paul Chigwidden who explored Luigi Giussani’s The Religious Sense and the universal human desire for meaning. Paul challenged staff to look beyond contemporary mindsets that seek comfort, ease, and certainty and instead embrace Pope Benedict XVI's reminder that “the ways of the Lord are not comfortable. But we were not created for comfort, but for greatness.”
Assistant Principal Shaun Ellis then presented on Virtue Development and how virtues can nurture and liberate staff. Cardinal Virtues are a part of everyday life here at the College and they are familiar to parents through the positive updates we share through Compass.
Finally, three staff members generously shared testimony of their faith journeys. Nathan Irvine, Emma Thomson and Rebecca Gill spoke movingly about the role of faith in their lives and how Christ sustains each of them.
As always, our Staff Formation Day renewed in our staff a deep sense of faith and purpose, strengthening our connection to community and our shared vocation in Christ.
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Next Monday, June 29th, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two of the most revered figures in the Catholic Church. This special day is a chance for us to reflect on their incredible lives and the lasting impact they had on the Church we know today.
Together, Peter and Paul represent the two pillars of the Church: stability and growth. Peter provides the strong base, while Paul embodies the Church's dynamic mission of spreading the message of Christ.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, take a moment to reflect on the importance of their contributions. Their unwavering faith and dedication continue to inspire us today.
Saints Peter and Paul, apostles of Christ, pray for us!
Grant us the strength of Peter's faith and the zeal of Paul's preaching.
May we, like you, be instruments of God's love in our world. Amen.
NEAA Nagle Prize 2026
Mater Dei is a dual charism school, given our history with both the Presentation Sisters and the Christian Brothers. Through our Presentation charism, we are inspired by the example of Nano Nagle, the 18th century founder of the order.
The 2026 NEAA Nagle Prize is a national prize competition that invites students to reflect on what it means to bring light, hope and positive change to others, following in the footsteps of Nano.
The College had the opportunity to submit one entry to each prize category. We were delighted with the student entries and wanted to share them with the whole community. In the creative writing category, Rhys Elliott (Year 7) created a beautiful poem reflecting how we can be a light for others.
For the visual arts category, Sophie Francis (Year 9) painted a beautifully hope-filled scene featuring the Lady of the Lantern. Well done to both students for sharing their talents!
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
On 12 June, we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a very special feast for Nano Nagle. In the Sacred Heart, Nano saw the human face and heart of God's love and compassion - a heart burning with mercy, kindness, and care for all people. As a school within the Sacred Heart Parish and in the tradition of the Presentation Sisters, we are called to live out these same values. Through our community's generous response to the Vinnies Winter Appeal, we too have shown an outpouring of love and compassion for those in need, putting our faith into action and following Nano's example of service to others.
On Sunday July 5, our Parish will celebrate its 61st Anniversary, alongside a commemoration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Mark Edwards OMI will be the principal celebrant for the 9am Mass. Following Mass, brunch and cake will be shared in the school hall. The Parish Steering Committee will present on the proposed church renovation. All are welcome for this special 61st anniversary day. If you intend to join the celebrations after Mass, please RSVP on the sheet in the church foyer.
Mater Dei families are always welcome at Sacred Heart Kooringal; please see the full list of Mass times below.
As we approach the winter holiday break, let us keep this prayer in our hearts:
Dear God,
As we anticipate the school holidays, we thank you for the gift of time.
May we use our holiday break to rest, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves,
our loved ones, and you.
Guide us in pursuing activities that nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.
May we return to Mater Dei renewed and ready to continue
our journey of learning and faith. Amen.
Ms Anna O’Brien | Acting Leader of Faith Formation and Mission