Faith and Mission
Indigenous Culture
‘Warami Mittigar’ – which means “Hello friends... welcome!” in the local Darug language.
Celebrating Indigenous Student Leadership & Culture in 2026
Over the past few weeks, our Year 12 Mission classes have been spending time in the School of Foundations, sharing with our youngest students the importance of reconciliation and the role each of us can play in building a more just and respectful Australia.
As part of National Reconciliation Week, students participated in a meaningful activity by decorating paper hands as a visible sign of their commitment to reconciliation. The hands encourage every member of our community to "put their hand up" in support of reconciliation, justice, rights and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Together, these colourful creations have been proudly displayed on our Indigenous Wall in the Marketplace, serving as a daily reminder of our shared responsibility to walk together with understanding and respect.
The experience has also provided a wonderful opportunity for our senior students to demonstrate leadership through service. By guiding activities and engaging younger students in conversations about reconciliation, they are helping to foster empathy, curiosity and a deeper appreciation of Australia's rich First Nations cultures and histories.
This learning journey will continue over the coming weeks as we celebrate NAIDOC Week across the College. Our senior students will once again work alongside younger classes, sharing and exploring a range of Dreaming stories and their significance within Aboriginal cultures. Through storytelling, discussion and creative activities, students will deepen their understanding of the enduring wisdom, values and connections to Country that have been passed down through generations.
At St Luke's, we believe reconciliation is an ongoing journey built on listening, learning and meaningful action. We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 Mission students for leading with generosity and respect, and of our younger students for embracing these opportunities with enthusiasm and open hearts.
Faith and Formation
Liturgy
Mass
Students across the College continue to attend the Thursday 9:00 am Mass in the church. Over the past two weeks, students in Years 7 and 8 have participated in these celebrations, joining together in prayer, reflection, and worship. Families are warmly invited to join us as we gather as a faith community each Thursday morning.
Reconciliation
Over the past two weeks, students across year 3 to year 12 have had the opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Reconciliation will continue to be available each Wednesday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am for the remainder of the term. This opportunity is open to students in Years 3 to 12 who have already received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With Fr Gayan on leave we have Fr Chinonye who will be hearing reconciliation on Thursday mornings.
Parents wishing for their child in years 3-6 to participate will be asked to complete Google Form. A list of participating students will be shared with class teachers prior to each reconciliation session.
Faith In Action
Social Justice Friday - Pyjamas Day
In week 6, students across the school participated in Pyjama Day to support St Vincent de Paul and raise awareness of homelessness within our community. Through activities such as the Backpack Challenge, creating Clouds of Hope, and engaging in discussions about homelessness, students developed a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing hardship. These experiences connected strongly to the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Common Good, encouraging students to recognise their responsibility to care for others and work towards a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The day was a meaningful opportunity to put our faith into action and support the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
K-4 FIAT Reflection Journals
Throughout the year, students have used their FIAT books to reflect on their participation in Faith in Action initiatives and make connections to the Catholic Social Teaching principles explored each term. These reflections provide evidence of students' growing understanding of social justice, human dignity, solidarity and the common good. By considering the purpose and impact of their actions, students are developing empathy, compassion and a deeper awareness of the needs of others. Their reflections demonstrate how they are growing in faith, recognising their responsibility to serve others, and understanding how even small acts of service can contribute to positive change within their school, local and global communities.
Vinnies Van Outreach
On Saturday 30 May, Year 12 students and staff participated in the Vinnies Van Outreach across Mount Druitt and Parramatta. Students assisted with preparing sandwiches, loading the van and distributing food and drinks to community members experiencing hardship. Through meaningful conversations and acts of service, students put their faith into action by showing compassion, respect and care for others. The experience provided a valuable opportunity to live out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and recognise the dignity of every person, while making a positive impact within the community.
Angelina in Year 12 shares her thoughts from the night: “The Vinnies Van was a very good experience to see the community get together and unite, but it was also very eye-opening and sad to see the number of people who are struggling and need help from Vinnies. This has shown me to always be grateful for what I have and not take things like a hot meal at dinner for granted.” -Angelina
Vinnies Winter Sleepout
This week, students in Years 9-12 will be taking part in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout. This experience aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and to encourage students to reflect on the importance of compassion, dignity, and social justice. Through the Sleepout, students will learn more about the realities of homelessness in Australia and the work undertaken by the St Vincent de Paul Society to support vulnerable members of our community. We look forward to seeing our students engage with this meaningful opportunity to grow in empathy and put their faith into action. Photos to come.
Young Christian Students (YCS):
YCS Mid-Year Retreat
Our YCS students have been invited to participate in the YCS Mid-Year Retreat on Saturday, 27 June at the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa.
YCS (Young Christian Students) is a youth-led social justice movement that empowers students to become leaders of positive change within their school and wider community. Through YCS, students develop valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, project management, critical thinking, and community engagement while living out Gospel values through action.
The Mid-Year Retreat will bring together students from St Luke’s Catholic College and other YCS groups for a day of friendship, reflection, leadership development, games, and celebration. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with like-minded young people, celebrate their achievements in social justice initiatives, and deepen their commitment to making a difference in the world.
To support families, the Diocesan YCS Team has organised a mini bus for transport. Students will be picked up from and returned to the St Luke’s Catholic College car park, making participation convenient and accessible.
Permission notes have now been distributed to students. Please note that the return of the signed permission form is a mandatory requirement for participation in the retreat. Families are encouraged to return the forms as soon as possible to assist with planning and transport arrangements.
We look forward to a meaningful and enjoyable day of faith, leadership, friendship, and service for our YCS students. For any questions regarding the retreat, please contact Mrs Tessie James.
From our Parish Community…
First Reconciliation Process 2026
Please note that the registration for our First Reconciliation process closed on 12th June 2026. This sacrament is for Baptised Catholics from the age of 7 years old.
Your child will need to be prepared for this sacrament before receiving their First Eucharist.
If you missed out registering and want your child to participate please contact the sacramental team ASAP via email: sacraments@stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au
St Luke’s Night of Masquerade
St Luke’s Parish invites you to: Join us for the St Luke’s Parish Dinner Dance on Saturday 25 July at 7:00pm in the Performance Hall at St Luke’s Catholic College. This fundraising event will support Stage 2 of our church building project — the construction of our permanent church. Tickets are $120.00 each and are available from ministry leaders, at the dinner dance table after Mass, or from the parish office.
Parish Contacts
Should you need to contact the St Luke’s Parish Community, the contact details follow here:
Fr Gayan Thamel: gayan.thamel@parracatholic.org
Parish Priest
For general inquiries and sacramental process details:
Ged Oblea: ged@stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au
Parish Secretary
Ph: (02) 7261-0246.
Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/