Message from the Director of Schools

Dear Colleagues,

Pope Leo XIV Encyclical - Magnifica Humanitas on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence 

Pope Leo released his first encyclical last week on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. I urge everyone to take the time to read this Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIV Magnifica Humanitas (15 May 2026).pdf It focuses on human dignity and respect and value of every life ‘made in the image and likeness of God. The encyclical discusses the rapid rise of AI and its profound impact on human dignity. Instead of issuing a broad condemnation or praise of AI, it calls on leaders, tech companies, and all of us to ensure that technological advancements serve the common good instead of creating a dehumanising system. 

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has released a pastoral kit on Magnifica Humanitas, aiming to make Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical more easily understood. 

Catholic Schools Week ‘Our Hope-Filled Future’

Catholic Schools Week was a wonderful celebration of the gift of Catholic education in our Diocese. Schools from across the diocese joined together at the three deanery Masses. The Masses were a wonderful expression of our Catholic identity celebrated by Bishop Peter Murphy, who was joined by Monsignor Ted Wilkes. It was great to have our clergy from across the deaneries join us. My thanks to Fr Chris, Fr Curren, Fr Ross, Fr Clarence, Deacon Paul and Deacon Allem (Southern Deaney); Fr Paul, Fr Juvi, Fr Eli, Fr James, Fr Thaddeus, Fr Steve, Deacon Paul and Deacon Max (Northern Deanery); Fr Saji, Fr Deleep, Fr John, Fr Samson and Fr Antony. The music was wonderful and thank you to McCarthy Catholic College, O’Connor Catholic College and St Philomena’s Catholic School’s students and staff who led the music. My thanks also to the many young people who fulfilled ministries such as reading, altar serving and presenting the gifts at the offertory. The participation of everyone made the masses a true celebration of our faith.

On Monday, we held the inaugural Armidale Cluster Professional Learning Day where staff from St Patrick’s Walcha, St Joseph’s Uralla, St Mary of the Angels Guyra, St Mary’s Armidale and O’Connor Catholic College gathered at O’Connor to learn and share together. It was great to start Catholic Schools Week in this way. 

It has been fantastic to see the many and varied activities that schools have done to celebrate this week. Thank you, everyone, for supporting each other to realise a hope-filled future. 

Angelus Art Competition ‘Mary Our Mother’

During Catholic Schools Week, we were thrilled to announce the winners of our Diocesan art competition. With over 700 entries, the Episcopal panel of Bishop Peter Murphy, Elizabeth O’Brien and Brianna Woodhead from the Armidale Chancery Office had their work cut out for them. Exploring the theme “Mary Our Mother”, the winning artworks will now form the visual heart of our Diocesan Angelus resources, helping our entire community pray together.

In Early Stage 1:

1st place - Blair from St Xavier’s Gunnedah 

2nd place - Sienna from St Michael's Manilla 

Highly commended - Georgia from St Nicholas’ Tamworth 

Stage 1:

1st place - Remedy Holy Trinity Inverell

2nd place - Ella from St Joseph’s Warialda 

Highly commended - Hollie from Holy Trinity Inverell

Stage 2:

1st place - Nola from St Joseph’s Tenterfield

2nd place - Lillian from St Joseph’s Uralla

Highly commended - Archer from St Patrick’s Walcha

Stage 3:

1st place - Hugh from St Patrick’s Walcha

2nd place - Audrey from St Patrick’s Walcha

Highly commended - Nixon from St Nicholas’ Tamworth

Secondary:

1st place - Layla from St Mary’s College

2nd place - Chloe from McCarthy Catholic College Tamworth

Highly commended - Jannat from Holy Trinity Inverell

Congratulations to all our winners and to every student who submitted an entry. Your art is a beautiful form of prayer. Thank you for sharing your artistic talents and faith with us in this week of celebrating our Catholic identity!

Selfie time