Find new ways to spread the word of God to every corner

Of the world”

Pope Francis

Dear MCC,

Embracing the Season of Lent: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

As we enter the season of Lent, we are invited into a period of deep reflection, prayer, and renewal. Lent, which lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays), is a significant time in the Christian calendar, marking the period leading up to Easter. It is a season of preparation, inspired by the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of repentance when many Christians receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of humility and a reminder of our mortality. This powerful act sets the tone for the weeks ahead, encouraging us to turn our hearts toward God.

Traditionally, Lent is observed through three key spiritual practices: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Fasting can take many forms, from abstaining from certain foods to giving up distractions that hinder our spiritual growth. Prayer deepens our connection with God, allowing us to seek guidance, strength, and renewal. Almsgiving reminds us to be generous and compassionate, extending kindness and support to those in need.

Students can observe Lent in meaningful ways by setting aside time for daily prayer or reflection, choosing to give up a habit that may be distracting them from their studies or faith, or participating in charitable activities such as volunteering or supporting a local cause. Acts of kindness, such as helping a classmate or showing gratitude to teachers and family members, can also be powerful ways to embody the spirit of Lent.

While some may associate Lent primarily with sacrifice, it is also a season of transformation and grace. It is a time to cultivate a more meaningful relationship with God, reflect on our lives, and grow in faith. Whether through acts of kindness, dedicating more time to prayer, or focusing on personal growth, Lent provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal.

As we journey through this sacred season, let us embrace the spirit of Lent with open hearts. May it be a time of renewal, hope, and preparation for the joy of Easter.

How will you observe Lent this year? Whether through fasting, prayer, or acts of kindness, may this season bring you closer to your faith and community.

Project Compassion

As we start our Lenten journey, we also start our first College Mission initiative - Project Compassion. Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

The theme Project Compassion for 2025 is Unite Against Poverty!

This year, the theme Caritas has chosen this year, Unite Against Poverty, saying it recalls this passage from the Book of Matthew, where Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

This year as a College, our aim is to try and get as close to one of these targets as possible.

To achieve the target of $4000:

This would require all staff and students to donate $5 just ONCE during the season of Lent.

or

To achieve the target of $1500:

This would require all staff and students to donate $2 just ONCE during the season of Lent.

Every Homeroom has a Project Compassion Box where you can make a donation as often as you would like. This will run for the 40 days of Lent, which for our College takes us to the end of Term 1.

All donations big or small can be made towards this project and will make a lasting difference in the lives of many. In this season of almsgiving, how will you make a difference in the lives of those living in Poverty?

St Patrick's Feast Day 2025

On Monday the 17th of March we will be celebrating St Patrick's Feast Day.

Patrick House is named for St Patrick’s School, which the Sisters of Mercy established in Griffith in 1921. St Patrick worked in Ireland during the 5th century to bring the good news of Christ. The Patrick House banner has the logo of St Patrick’s School. It features a Celtic cross, the symbol of Irish Catholicism. The cross has a circle: some see this as a

representation of eternity. It is also another way of drawing the Chi-rho, which is also shown in the Marian Catholic College logo. The background to the banner is green, the traditional colour associated with St Patrick and Ireland, the ‘Emerald Isle’.

At MCC we celebrate this Feast Day through a dedicated prayer in Homeroom, Year 12 participating in the annual Gaelic Football matches at lunch and recess and the selling of cupcakes through Year 12 stalls and Just Brew It Cafe selling special items. To make the day a little more meaningful, students are encouraged to wear green and provide a gold coin donation. All donations made go towards the Year 12 Charities and Project Compassion.

Event Details:

St Patrick's Feast Day - 17th of March 2025

Lunch time:

Cupcake Stall:

$2 each

Just Brew It Cafe:

Green Jelly Cups - $2
Green Spider Drinks - $4
Green Cookies - $3

Gaelic football matches on the oval:

Lunch 1:

Brendan vs Marcellin

Lunch 2:

Patrick vs MacAuley

Recess:

Winners play each other in a final

Support our College in our first Feast Day of the year, wear green and Live the Marian Way!

Harmony Day

Our Harmony Day celebration is next week, Friday 21st of March. This year we are already looking bigger than previous events and have many new performances and food stalls. Our diversity is our strength in creating a place where we all belong, and it is great to see all cultures starting to come to life within preparations.

This year, the food stalls we have on offer are so far:

Year 12 - Drinks stand

Italian cultural group - Pizza and Gelato

Indian cultural group - Indian sweets and butter chicken with rice

South Pacific Islands - A taste around the Islands

Philippine cultural- A taste of the Philippines

And many more

This year we are inviting all students to dress in items of clothing that represent their country or cultural heritage. Whether it is something traditional or an item from your favourite sporting team (from your culture) or something orange. Please note, you cannot wear your sports uniform as your casual clothing. It is the expectation that if you join in the celebrations and wear casual clothes that represent your culture. A gold coin donation ($1 or $2 coin) would be greatly appreciated in supporting our College charities. If you decide to wear your sports uniform and it is NOT your sports/PE day, it is expected that you bring in a gold coin ($1 or $2 coin) donation for wearing it. All donations made will contribute to our Mission initiative Project Compassion and the Year 12 Charity.

As of Monday, posters will be sent out with prices of the cultural stalls and all pre-order forms will go out as well. We recommend all students bring cash and coins to purchase tickets at the food stalls. A lot of work has gone into this celebration, so let's embrace the Marian Spirit and Live the Marian Way.

I want to thank everyone for all your work and support in contributing to our MCC Harmony Day celebrations for 2025. Without your enthusiasm, events like this just aren't possible.

Evangelisation and Religious Education events:

Harmony Day
- Friday 21st March 2025
Morning Mass
- Every Wednesday
- Time: 8:40 am start
Meditation with Mary
- Every Tuesday and Thursday lunch
- Time: 11:20 am
- Location: College Chapel

“Never give up on the people you love.

Never give up from being happy,

Because life is an incredible show!”

Pope Francis

Mr Abdala

Leader of Faith Formation and Mission

Year 8 News

Clean up Australia Day with Year 8