Religious Education News

Wow!! The midway point of the term, and so much is happening in the Faith Formation and Religious Education spaces at O’Connor. 

Last week was Catholic Schools Week, and we were proud to host the CSW Mass for the second year in a row. Students and staff from around the Diocese gathered together with most of the Diocesan priests and Bishop Peter to celebrate all that is great about Catholic education. We are so fortunate to have a full size chapel at our College, with many visitors commenting positively about our school (and wishing us well for the construction site that is the Angela building!). Many thanks to the students who led the music as well as our altar servers and school captains for their work on this day. You were fantastic ambassadors for our school. 

It was wonderful to have one of our Year 11 students recognised for her commitment to service at the Catholic Schools Week awards. Madeleine Cowley has been strongly involved in our school St Vincent de Paul group since coming to O’Connor, and in this time has helped to run many of the school’s social justice projects, for instance the annual Pauper’s Banquet and Winter Appeals, as well as acting as an Assistant Catechist in Year 10 and a Lasallian Youth Leader this year. She has been an invaluable assistance to Mrs Leggatt who has led the Vinnies group at O’Connor for many years, and was a very worthy recipient of the Diocesan Spirit of Catholic Education Student Award. 

Next week we’ll launch our Vinnies Winter Appeal clothing drive. This is an annual event which supports the needy in our community. Students are encouraged to bring in good quality warm clothing, blankets and other items that can be either distributed to struggling families or sold at the St Vincent de Paul store in Rusden St. The baskets will be presented at our Founder’s Day Mass at the end of the term. More information will be provided through Compass and the school’s daily notices. 

This week our Year 10 students gathered at St Albert’s College for their annual retreat. Ably led by Lydia and Koe from Lasallian Mission Services as well as our very own Lasallian Youth Minister, Joe, the students spent great time reflecting on what it is to be a leader in the Lasallian tradition. A huge thank you to our Year 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders who stepped up to lead breakout groups during the day, and to all the Year 10 students who actively engaged in the day. Tomorrow our staff will gather for their annual retreat, focussing on what it is that makes our Catholic school a special place for both students and staff. 

Our Assistant Catechist program is well underway, with students from Year 10 working alongside adult Catechists at Newling and Ben Venue public schools to present Catholic scripture lessons to students at those schools. A huge thank you to all of the students who have put their hands up for this, as well as the Catechists and staff members at those schools who have welcomed our students into their classrooms. 

The last few weeks have been busy times in our classrooms as well, with our HSC students completing their final assessment tasks prior to the trial examinations midway through next term, and our 7 - 11 students also working on assessment tasks designed to help them grow in their knowledge and understanding of our faith. Our emphasis is not just on content, but also encouraging students to think critically about what they’re learning in class, and how this can be applied to their daily lives.

As we pass the midpoint of the term, let’s remember this simple prayer for our students as they persevere with their studies. 

"Dear Lord, we thank You for the gift of learning and the challenges we face. We ask for Your wisdom and guidance as we study. Grant us the strength to persevere, the clarity to understand, and the courage to face exams with confidence. Help us to always remember Your love and to strive to be instruments of Your peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." 

Upcoming events:

Staff retreat 6th June (St Albert’s College)

Year 7 and 11 Mass, Wednesday 11th June

Year 8 and 12 Mass, Wednesday 18th June

Founder’s Day Friday 4th July (including our end of term Mass and Vinnies Winter Appeal liturgy)

Mr Andrew May

Religious Education Coordinator

Our Founders - St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Keeping in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral Parish is easy through their website and Facebook pages.

With such a difficult year and a half it has been harder for parishioner's to give to the parish through the plates, particularly when the church is closed as it is at present. The Parish account details are available on the Parish bulletin. 

Cathedral Parish Website

Information about our founders

La Salle Website

Ursuline Sisters Website