Faith and Mission
A Welcome to Our 2026 Faith Journey
As we begin 2026, we are pleased to share an important aspect of the faith life of St Luke’s Catholic College.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity
The Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) program supports Catholic schools to reflect on and strengthen their Catholic identity and mission. Through a structured process of reflection and dialogue, ECSI helps school communities evaluate how effectively faith, learning and culture are integrated, and guides ongoing growth in living the Gospel and the mission of the Church within the school context.
Next week, the ECSI survey will be sent to all families with clear instructions on how to complete it. I warmly invite all families to participate, as your responses are vital in helping us gather meaningful data that shows us where we are as a community. All students in Years 5–12 will also complete the survey in class next week, ensuring that student voice is included alongside family feedback as we reflect on our Catholic identity and life as a school community.
Liturgy
From this year onward, different classes will attend Mass at the Church each Thursday morning as part of their regular Religious Education and faith formation. This weekly opportunity allows students to experience the liturgy within the parish setting and to grow in reverence, participation, and understanding of the Mass.
This week, our Stage 2 Magicians students attended Parish Mass with Father Gayan and fellow parishioners. We are very proud of the way the students participated respectfully and reverently, engaging prayerfully and representing our school community beautifully. This marks the beginning of a new tradition, where each Thursday one of our classes will attend the Parish Mass and actively participate in prayer.
Looking ahead, on Wednesday, 18 February, the entire school community will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Students in Kindergarten to Year 4 will come together for a prayer service at 9 am, while students in Years 5–12 will gather at 11:00 am to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass. This shared observance will be a significant moment of prayer and reflection for both students and staff.
Liturgy Engagement Opportunities
As we begin a new school year, there are many opportunities for students and staff to encounter and engage with their faith. With the Lenten season approaching, along with a number of liturgical celebrations throughout the year, students are warmly invited to join the St Luke’s SOL/E Choir.
The choir is open to students in Years 5–12 and provides an opportunity for students to have their voices heard through participation in school liturgies, concerts, and other community celebrations, while making music alongside their peers.
Choir rehearsals will take place each Thursday from 2:45–3:45pm in the Music Space (Symphony Centre or Performance Hall). Rehearsals will commence in Week 4, Thursday 19 February.
For further information, please contact Mr Max Tromp at📧 mtromp2@parra.catholic.edu.au
Alternatively, students can register their interest by completing the following Google Form:🔗 https://forms.gle/TDL8BKHWvP1DGjvS9
Faith Formation
Year 12 Retreat
From some of our student leaders :
Before the school year began, our grade attended a retreat at Collaroy. Stepping away from our usual routines gave us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on who we are, what we value, and how God is present in our lives. Through a range of activities, group discussions, prayer, and moments of quiet reflection, we were able to strengthen our connections as a cohort and deepen our understanding of ourselves and our faith. The retreat provided a meaningful foundation as we returned to school to continue our HSC journey together, guided by faith and a stronger sense of purpose.
Year 12 Retreat was a beautiful way to bookmark the beginning of the final chapter of our schooling. During Retreat we had the chance to reflect on who we are, who we want to be and how to get there, helping us create goals and a vision of what we want to achieve in Year 12. It was also absolutely amazing getting to know my grade better and having the opportunities to build real, meaningful relationships with my peers and teachers alike. Retreat promoted a sense of belonging and community that would have been difficult to cultivate in any way, so I know I speak on behalf of the Year 12 grade when I say we are grateful for the experience!
Sudeep Velagapudi - College Captain
One of the most meaningful parts of the retreat was receiving letters from our parents without knowing beforehand, and then being able to write back to them. It was a really special and emotional experience that made me feel supported and appreciated. The retreat centre itself was beautiful, with a huge open field and amazing sunsets that made the whole experience even more relaxing. Being in such a peaceful environment helped us feel more connected and present throughout the retreat.
Rhythm Pandya - College Vice Captain
Having a few days to ground ourselves before Year 12 not only helped me orient my direction and goals, but helped me ease into the start of 2026. The teachers invited us to engage with all the activities and moments with an open mind so that we could fully appreciate what we had and what was to come. One of those times was when we received letters from loved ones, and so many of us cried.
The retreat wasn’t just an opportunity to engage with faith and reflect, but spend time with the rest of our cohort and make memories for our last year of school. Being able to experience time away from our daily school routines but still be with the rest of the grade only made those 3 days more special, and something that I cherished more. It’s difficult to express in words the exact feeling. It was just a rush of pre-nostalgia and bittersweetness—like everything had the weight of finality even though it was only the very start of the year.
Summer Claudio - Mission and Faith Development Leader
The Year 12 Retreat was a core part of the final year of schooling for many students. As we begin the HSC this year, the retreat was a great way to take our minds off what lies ahead, allowing us to stop, take a break, and appreciate the present moment. For many students, including myself, the retreat helped us move away from focusing on ranks and marks and instead see that our peers are real people we can connect with, not just strangers.
The retreat also offered a valuable time for self-reflection, and strong bonds were formed as students and teachers in their small groups were able to share openly and be vulnerable in the moment. The focus on faith was also a meaningful part of the experience, with Father Gayan joining us on the final day to celebrate Mass with the entire Year 12 cohort.
Tim Talam - Mission and Faith Development Leader
Year 12 Retreat was an experience that each individual part of Class of 2026 will hold with them not only for this coming year but for their whole lives as it gave us all an opportunity to not only connect with those in our cohort but with ourselves. Every moment of the Retreat was carefully planned out and structured in a way that gave us time to reflect on who we are, connect with those around us and most importantly hear God’s voice which sometimes we forget to listen to in our fast paced lives.
Kavya Shah - Stewardship Portfolio Leader
We would like to sincerely thank Mr Bagus, Mrs Mayer, Mrs Wong, Mr Fucille, Mr Ellis, Mrs Eldridge, Miss Fernandes, Ms Cuneen, Mrs Atkins and Mrs Bauer for leading and supporting Year 12 students on retreat. Your time, care, and commitment at the very start of our final year of schooling made a meaningful difference, helping students feel supported, connected, and grounded as they begin this important chapter.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
This term, students from Kindergarten to Year 10 will be exploring the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Dignity of the Human Person. This teaching reminds us that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, has inherent value and worth.
Through purposeful learning experiences, students will be encouraged to grow in respect, compassion, and inclusion. Classroom discussions, collaborative activities, and opportunities for reflection will help students develop an understanding of the importance of treating others with dignity and recognising the unique gifts each person brings to our community.
Throughout term 1, students will also be invited to put this understanding into action by supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion and the Jesuit Social Services Ignite Food Store. These initiatives provide meaningful opportunities for students to live out their faith by responding with care and compassion to the needs of others, both locally and globally.
Faith In Action
Project Compassion
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising appeal. For over 60 years, it has invited schools, parishes and communities to live out the Gospel during Lent through prayer, reflection and action. In this sacred season of repentance and renewal, we are called to put our faith into practice by standing in solidarity with those experiencing poverty and injustice.
This Lent, our school community will have several opportunities to respond to this call. We will be hosting a school disco for our K - 6 students (date to be announced), with all proceeds supporting Project Compassion. Later in the term, students will also take part in the Big Water Walk, helping students deepen their understanding of the daily challenges faced by those without reliable access to clean water, and to grow in empathy and compassion.
Donations to Project Compassion can be made via the QKR app between 18 February and 5 April.
Jesuit Social Services
Also running throughout Lent, we will be supporting the Jesuit Social Services Food Drive. Students are invited to bring in non-perishable food and toiletry items to donate, placing them in the collection crates at the front of their classrooms.
In Week 6, we will hold a mufti day to further support this initiative. To participate, students are asked to donate an item. A list of of the Top 10 items desperately needed follows here. This year, there will be separate lists for K–6 Pantry Fillers and 7–12 Toiletries to help ensure that the most needed items are collected.
This initiative provides an opportunity for students to uphold the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the dignity of the human person, by responding with compassion and care to the needs of others in our community.
Music Therapy - Marsden Park Community Care Centre
Starting Monday 16 February, selected Stage 4 students will attend Music Therapy sessions at the Marsden Park Community Care Centre from 11:00am–12:00pm. These sessions will take place once a fortnight on Mondays and will run on a rotating roster for students who have expressed interest in participating.
This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for students to put their faith into action by serving others and building connections within the wider community. Students will have the chance to learn different songs alongside the aged care residents, fostering meaningful relationships through music, and will also be invited to perform at some of the centre’s concerts held throughout the year.
Young Christian Students (YCS) :
We are excited to share that St Luke’s is exploring the opportunity to host a YCS Leadership Training Day on Friday 20 February 2026. Coordinated in partnership with Parramatta Young Christian Workers and supported by Burn Bright facilitators, this proposed full-day formation session (9:00am–2:00pm) will bring together up to 50 past and present YCS student leaders, along with students from St Columba’s. The day will focus on developing faith-based leadership, service, and social justice, empowering students to live out the Gospel through action. We look forward to what promises to be a meaningful and spirit-filled day of formation for our student leaders.
From the Faith Community…
Luke 18 Youth Group is back for 2026!
Luke 18 is a place where young people can belong, grow, and encounter God.
Expect:
- Games & fun
- Faith and Prayer
- Connection & mentoring
Whether you’ve been part of Luke 18 before or you’re brand new — you are welcome here.
Kicking off Friday, 13 February 2026
St Luke’s Church
6:30pm – 9:00pm (Starting with Mass at 6:30pm)
For parents, guardians, or youth 18 years above keen to get involved, please contact the Luke 18 leaders at
saintlukesyg@gmail.com
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
Ged Oblea: marsdenpark@parracatholic.org
Administrative Assistant
Ph: 02 8530 0173 Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukesmarsdenpark