Deputy Principal

The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls

All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day) is the day after All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en). It is a feast day celebrated on 1 November by many Christian churches. It is an opportunity to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. 

Franciscans celebrate the many saints from their religious order on 29 November. This date is special for Franciscans as it was on this day in 1223, that the final Franciscan Rule of Life was approved.

All Souls' Day is commemorated on 2 November, the day after All Saints' Day. It is a special day in which we remember all of those close to us who have died and celebrate the wonderful gifts that they have given to us and our world.

In writing about death, Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue offers a hopeful vision of our relationship with our loved ones who have died:

Our friends among the dead now live where time and space are transfigured.  

They behold us now in ways they never could have when they lived beside us on earth. Because they live near the source of destiny,  

their blessings for us are accurate and penetrating, 

offering a divine illumination not available according to 

the calculations of the given visible world.  

Perhaps one of the surprises of death  

will be a retrospective view of the lives we lived here 

and to see how our friends among the dead 

clothed us in weave after weave of blessing. 

(from Benedictus) 

At this time of year, may you feel the blessing of the loved ones who have gone before us.

Loving God, 

through Baptism, 

you gather your holy people 

and call them to share in the joy of your saints. 

By their help and example 

you guide us to live for others as Jesus taught. 

May their prayers strengthen and comfort us 

as we follow Jesus to his promise of everlasting life. 

We make this prayer in His name. Amen. 

Saint Mary, Mother of Jesus. Pray for us. 

Saint Francis of Assisi. Pray for us.

Saint Clare of Assisi. Pray for us. 

Elizabeth Hayes. Pray for us. 

All Holy Men & Women. Pray for us.

Kedron Youth Rally

Kedron Parish’s final Youth Rally for the year will be held at the Church of St Therese and St Anthony (Little Flower). This event is an opportunity for students to connect with other young people from the Franciscan schools of Kedron and beyond.  Please find attached information about this event from 5.00 – 8.00pm on Sunday 26 October. 

All students are welcome to attend even if they have not registered. Students are to wear casual clothes. Supper is provided. 

Z Club Birthing Kit Packing Day

On Tuesday 12th October, the Z Club held its annual Birthing Kit Packing Day. In two hours, our student volunteers and representatives from the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers, packed 400 birthing kits. These kits provide women with the basic equipment – gloves, gauze, soap, string, a scalpel and a plastic sheet – to have a safer and more hygienic birth and therefore, help to reduce preventable death and mortality in mothers and newborns. We are especially thankful for the support shown by the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers in donating 200 birthing kits for us to pack and to Dr Kerrie Tuite and Bronwyn Evans, President of the Zonta Club of Pine Rivers, for joining us on the day. 

Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

During Term 4 each year, each Homeroom group is asked to prepare a grocery hamper and purchase a modest Christmas gift for families in our local area who are doing it tough. This charitable venture has been a special part of the Mount Alvernia College community for many years and we value the partnership that we have built with the Saint Vincent de Paul Kedron Conference during this time. 

Each Homeroom has received some generic information (gender and age) about each family member they are supporting and a list of items required for each hamper. By now, all students should know what item(s) they need to contribute. Students may be asked to contribute a small sum of money towards the purchase of gifts for the family. 

Students can contribute these items to the cardboard box in their Homeroom up until Wednesday 26 November. The hampers will be formally presented to representatives from Saint Vincent de Paul at our Christmas liturgy on Thursday 27 November. Thank you for your generous support. 

Toys for Joy/Words for Wantoks 2025

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Toys for Joy and Words for Wantoks collection. The donations were collected this week and will soon be on their way to support communities in PNG.

Collection for Stationery Aid

As we approach the end of the academic year, please remember that we are a collection site for Stationery Aid. This organisation collects donations of new or unused stationery and used stationery in good condition. These donations are packaged up for students whose families struggle to provide the educational resources needed for school. Stationery Aid is seeking donations of the following items:

- all types of pencils

- crayons

- pencil cases

- rulers

- erasers

- sharpeners

- unused exercise books/note pads/scrapbooks

- highlighters

- pens

- glue

- paints and paint brushes

- maths equipment (protractors, compass, etc.)

- staplers and staples

We cannot accept ring binders or lever arch folders.

Donations can be placed in the small blue wheelie bin located on the Ground floor of the Anthony Building (near Reception and the lift). Thank you for your generous support.