Religious Education News

This term is as always a busy term, with many different activities and liturgies taking place in addition to our normal teaching and learning! During the term holidays a number of students and staff attended the Ignite Catholic Youth Conference in Sydney, an amazing experience for all who took part. Thanks to Poppy McKay for her article about the Conference!

Year 7

This term Year 7 are exploring the ways in which we can affirm human dignity, one of our key Catholic values. Human dignity is incredibly important, and needs to be protected at all times, through decent living and working conditions, educational opportunities and provision of clean air, food and water, just to name a few! 

Year 8

Year 8 are exploring the Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic Church - Baptism, First Eucharist (First Holy Communion) and Confirmation. These sacraments help to bring us into a closer relationship with the Church as well as with God. Later this term Year 8 students will have their one day retreat (Thursday 4th September), focussing on the theme of ‘Heroes’ and how they can be heroic members of our society.

Year 9

Year Nine’s work this term focuses on the Sacraments of Healing - Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. The Catholic Church has always recognised the connection between the health of our soul and our physical health, and these sacraments help us to gain inner peace and quiet. Year 9 will also have a one day retreat on Friday 5th of September, in which they will explore the idea of ‘being the best version of me’. 

Year 10

Year 10 are developing their understanding of Catholic Social Teachings. We are fortunate here at O’Connor as we actively seek to put these teachings into practice, through our support for Project Compassion, St Vincent de Paul and Catholic Mission. As our Year 10 students come ever closer to adulthood, it’s essential that they understand the many responsibilities that they have in our society, so that it can become more just. 

Year 11

This term sees our Year 11 students completing their preliminary studies, as well as preparing for their retreat in Week 4 at Coffs Coast Adventure Centre. We are very fortunate to have obtained the services of Emily da Silva, an experienced retreat facilitator from Lasallian Mission Services for the retreat and it is bound to be an excellent experience for everyone involved. 

Year 12

Term three is a sad, yet joyous, time for our Year 12 students! At present our Studies of Religion students are busily preparing themselves for their trial exams, their final internal assessments and readying themselves for the final surge to the finish line. Year 12 had their final Wednesday morning Mass this week (one of many ‘finals’ that they will have this term) and will shortly begin to prepare for their Graduation Mass, to be held on Thursday 25th September in our College Chapel.

Social Justice activities

Last term our College outdid itself with a highly successful Winter Appeal clothing drive, donating dozens of bags of clothing to St Vincent de Paul. This Term our support for the Winter Appeal continues, with our College hosting a sleepout on the night of August 22nd. This year it will be a sleepout with a difference - all members of the College community are invited to attend a fashion parade which will take place as part of the sleepout. The parade will feature students and staff modelling a select range of clothing from our very own ‘Vinnies Boutique’ in Rusden St. Food and drink will be available for the cost of a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going towards the work of St Vincent de Paul in our local community. 

Assistant Catechist Program

Our Year 10 students have resumed their support for the work of the Catechists presenting Religious Education classes at Newling and Ben Venue Public schools. A huge thank you to the students who are doing a fantastic job with their classes, and representing O’Connor to such a high standard. 

Liturgies and Masses

Every Wednesday morning at 9:15 am students attend Mass in our College Chapel. Parents and members of the parish community are always more than welcome to join in with us for these masses. Next week’s Mass will be on Friday as we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, however we will return to our regular Wednesday masses the following week. 

Whole School Mass - Friday 15th August

Year 9 August 20 and  September 10

Year 10 on August 22 and September 17

Year 7 and 11 combined on September 3rd

Year 12 Graduation Mass Thursday 25th September, 6:00pm

Ignite Conference

Here below from one of our Year 12 students Poppy who attended the ignite conference:

Ignite Youth Conference Sydney is a four‑day Catholic youth gathering held at the Broken Bay Cathedral Precinct, drawing over 2,500 young people together for worship, inspiring talks and hands‑on workshops.                                                                              

From the Armidale Diocese, there were students and teachers from O’Connor, McCarthy Catholic College and St Mary’s Gunnedah, along with Mr Roff from the CSO. We caught the train to Sydney, picking up McCarthy and St Mary’s students on the way, and stayed at the Sydney Central Youth Hostel. Over the four days we joined students and young adults from all over NSW, Tasmania, Victoria and even Singapore, sharing in year keynotes, workshops and activities. 

We celebrated Mass with both the Bishop of Sydney and the Bishop of Wollongong. One of the most powerful moments for everyone was Eucharistic Adoration – an experience that felt like an awakening, leaving us in awe and wrapped in the presence of the Holy Spirit. On the third night we sat in on “Kym’s Couch,” hearing three moving stories of people’s personal encounters with God. We also listened to guest speakers Sam Brebner, Rebecca Crouch and Natasha Mierendorf. Every night ended with vibrant rallies, with Emmanuel Worship leading us in songs that had the whole crowd singing, dancing and feeling deeply connected to their faith.                       

My only wish about Ignite Youth is that I wish I was able to experience it earlier. If there is anyone looking for a Spiritual awakening, I encourage you to attend Ignite Youth. 

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