Faith, Justice and Formation

Organ Scholars Thank You 

As we come to the end of an era for the Class of 2025 it is important that the Identity Team recognise and thank our two organ scholars – Christopher Costa and Isaac Tannous. They rotated playing the organ for each Friday Morning Mass and they shared the hymns in each of our major celebrations. Their presence and talent have been truly appreciated! 

It is certainly not an easy thing to do – play the organ – but these two have stepped up and grown in their skills over the year. We hope they continue to play, utilising their learnings from the College. 

Congratulations and thank you Christopher and Isaac!

St Patrick’s Parish, Mortlake Spring Clean – SOL Service Opportunity

St Patrick's Mortlake is having a Parish Spring Clean and need student volunteers to help.

It will take place on Wednesday 1 October from 9:30 AM till 12:30 PM.  Simple maintenance tasks like cleaning, painting and tidying will be on the list to make the Parish sparkle as they head towards the Christmas season. Lunch and a drink will be provided.

You can earn three SOL Service points for being involved. Older students would be preferred.

Please RSVP to the Parish Office on parish@stpatsmortlake.org.au so they know who will be attending.  You cannot just turn up.

Gillian Daley 

Director of Identity 

Our Catholic Identity

I recently had the privilege of attending the Identity and Mission Symposium at Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Peta Goldberg, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane and foundation Professor of Religious Education at ACU. Her reflections offered profound insights into our Catholic faith, particularly the multiplicity of identities through which we live and express that faith - insights I would like to share with our community.

Broadly speaking, Catholic Identity was once generational and deeply woven into the fabric of Australian society. However, expression of Catholic identity has evolved significantly over the last quarter century, reflecting a steady decline. The trend is most evident in recent census data which shows that between 2016 and 2021 Catholic identification fell by 2.6%. Today, Catholic affiliation sits at just 20%, with weekly Mass attendance at a modest 8.2%. Of those aged 15-24, 46% report no religious affiliation at all – the second highest rate of disengagement nationally. However, if we look beyond the national data of declining numbers what we see is also a de-traditionalisation of faith - that is, a rise in people who identify with but do not necessarily understand Catholicism, an increase in ‘four-wheel Catholics’, continuing disconnection with formalised religion, and an ever more common interest in a smorgasbord of beliefs. 

Amid this broader cultural landscape, St Patrick’s College stands apart as countercultural in the way that we are unashamedly Catholic. Results from the Student Spiritual Life Survey conducted earlier this year underscore the strength of our community’s faith life; 80% of students identify as Catholic, with 25% regularly attending weekly Mass outside the College and a further 21% participating at least two to three times each month. These figures highlight not only the enduring significance of Catholic identity within our College, but also the vitality of faith practice among our students. 

Yet, we can also look beyond our own data set to recognise that while we have a strong faith community, there are many diverse expressions of our Catholic identity within the College - diversity that enriches our life together and fills us with hope.

It is within this context that Peta Goldberg’s insights became particularly pertinent for me – particularly her reflection on the phrase from John 14:2 ‘in my father’s house there are many rooms.’ This powerful metaphor speaks to the rich mosaic of beliefs and practices that make up the various Catholic identities across the globe. 

Human nature often leads us to view the world solely through the lens of our own experience, forgetting that we inhabit only one room in God’s vast house.  At times we need reminding that there are many others who each occupy their own rooms; others who have their own distinct Catholic identity, set of teachings, and practices - none of which are any more or less valid or deserving of respect than our own. 

For many students and families their education here at St Patrick’s College is their entry point into Catholicism. Therefore, the way that we embody and live out the Gospel sets precedent for their engagement with and understanding of Catholic faith. At its heart, the Church is an inclusive body, called to read the ‘signs of the times’ and to respond to the diversity of Catholic identities within it. If our College community fails to do this effectively, we risk becoming exclusionary which is contrary to the very core of our teachings and Touchstones. 

The day was enlightening and reminded me of our core business. I look forward to continuing to work in this space at St Patrick’s College as we celebrate our faith and connection to one another.

Brittney Fogliani

Head of Identity - Middle School