Deputy Principal / Religious Education
Dear Parents and Families
World Teachers' Day
Today we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. We are blessed to have such hard working, dedicated and inspiring teachers at St Luke’s who go above and beyond to help our students learn, grow and strive to be their best. To all staff we say THANKS for all you do everyday!!!
Feast Day ~ Friday 18th October
Wow, what a day! You could feel the joy in the air and hear the sounds of the whole school
singing and laughing together. We were fortunate to have Andrew Chinn join us for our Feast Day last Friday. Andrew is a great friend of St Luke’s and to have him perform for us and run workshops throughout the day was a privilege our students will remember for a long time.
Our Feast Day started with a beautiful liturgy in the stadium led by Fr Jackson. Andrew Chinn performed ‘live’ accompanied by our choir. They sounded fantastic. For the remainder of the day staff, students, Fr Joe and parents participated in workshops in preparation for our afternoon concert. Favourite songs such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up” entertained all those in attendance. Andrew Chinn has been writing and performing for over 20 years and his enthusiasm and talent is as strong as ever.
Thank you to everyone who was able to come to share this special day with us. Seeing the smiles on our children's faces, the laughter and the singing and dancing made it an unforgettable Feast Day celebration.
Youth Mass ~ Saturday 9th Nov 6pm
In response to the success last term, we are celebrating another combined Youth Mass with St Brendan’s on Saturday 9th November at 6pm. Assistance with readings, singing and other jobs will be needed. Please let the office or myself know if you are planning to attend. Thank you for your continued support of our parish school communities.
St Brendan’s Church ~ Stained Glass Windows
The following information was recently sent to our parish schools. It gives a detailed description of the significance of the stained glass windows at St Brendan’s church. Thank you to Diane Teitzel ~ Office Manager St Brendan’s Church for sharing this information with our parish communities.
St Brendan’s Parish Shepparton, Theme and Design of Stained Glass windows in the Sanctuary
The Stained Glass Windows in the Sanctuary of the Church have been completed in the traditional late Victorian style of the original window depicting ‘Annunciation’. Because of the strong Marian theme in the existing window ‘The Annunciation’ it was decided to complete the cycle with windows that continue the emphasis on Mary, the Mother of the Church, a title given to her at the second Vatican Council. The subjects are taken from the Mysteries of the Rosary and are a reminder to us of the major Feasts of the Church. Each window has two panels (or lights) in a simple Gothic shape. At the apex of each window is a small Lunette. In the Lunettes the small scale subjects give emphasis to the themes of the subjects depicted. The windows are dedicated so that they can be seen as celebrating the various aspects of the Parish life in the history of St Brendan’s.
Window 1: Existing window – Theme ‘The Annunciation”
In the left light: The Angel Gabriel asks Mary to become the Mother of God. The sheaf and vase of lillies symbolise the purity of Mary.
Dedication: This window is dedicated to the memory of the Diviney and Maloney families.
Window 2: Theme ‘The Birth of our Lord”
This window contains symbols which are Australian and Goulburn Valley. Christ was born for the salvation of all people.
In the left light: Mary with suggestion of stable with ox and ass.
In the right light: Infant Christ in the manger, Joseph looks on. The night sky shows stars of the Southern Cross and gifts left at the feet of the manger represent produce of the Goulburn Valley – wheat, fruit and lamb. The lamb also represents the ‘Lamb of God”.
In Lunette: Symbol of St Brendan. She ship in sail (also a symbol of the Church).
Dedication: The word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us. For the children of St Brendan’s Parish.
Note: Some may say why the Australian and Goulburn Valley symbols – they were not here! An ancient artistic technique in religious art is to depict familiar scenes from life in the religious scene. This is especially so in the nativity window for Christ’s birth was a universal call to repentance and salvation.
Window 3: Theme ‘The Crucifixion’
How Mary was entrusted to be the Mother of all the disciples by Christ as He was dying on the Cross. Since this window appears directly over the place of Reservation of the Eucharist, and over the Altar of Sacrifice, the subject is most appropriate.
In the left light: Mary, the Sorrowful Mother and John facing the Cross which carries the inscription INRI. The symbol of the sun darkened over head.
In the right light: Christ crucified, his side already pierced with a lance. The skull at the base of the Cros indicates Golgotha, “the place of the Skull”. An ancient legend was told by the Fathers of the Church that the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden became Calvary, the place where the New Tree of Life stood.
In Lunette: The Pelican in her piety. This is a medieval symbol of the Eucharist. Int was believed that the Pelican pierced her own breast in order to feed her young.
Dedication: You are a Priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. In Thanksgiving for the priestly ministry of Monsignor Bones.
Window 4: Theme ‘Pentecost’
How Mary was present with the Infant Church at its ‘Baptism with the Holy Spirit’. Since that time the Disciples have spread the Gospel to every part of the world.
In the left light: The figure of Mary is seated, with scroll in her hands, revealing the word Magnificat. This symbolises ‘Mary for the Seat of Wisdom’ an ancient title given to her by the Fathers of the Church. Above Our Lady is a dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit.
In the right light: Figure of Peter, Vicar of Christ, holding the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. The figure of John the Evangelist, writing in a book, symbolic of the spiritual writers, writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In the Lunette: Open book of Scriptures with A and displayed.
Dedication: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and praised God. To the Priests and Religious who have served St Brenan’s Parish Community.
Window 5: Theme ‘The Assumption and Coronation of Mary’
How the destiny of Mary was to share fully in the Risen Christ her Son. This the destiny of all of the disciples.
In the left light: Christ, with a crossed halo is seated, dressed as King of Creation in red and gold. In upper left light is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and at the feet of Christ is a thurible to remind us of our prayer rising to God like incense, especially for those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.
In the right light: Depicts Mary being assumed into Heaven. The Crown above her head represents her Coronation as Queen of Heaven. The stars and the crescent moon are taken from the image of the woman in the Book of Revelations used in the Liturgy on the Feast of Assumption. The lily and the palm of victory of the Martyrs and those who have been faithful to Christ. The serpent at the feet of Our Lady symbolise her Immaculate Conception.
In the Lunette: Angel holds a scroll.
Angel ‘Gloria in echelsies Deo’, ‘Glory to God in the highest’.
Dedication: Come, you whom my Father has blessed, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. In memory of deceased parishioners and benefactors of St Brendan’s.
Stained Glass windows in the Chapel:
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist
4. Sisters of Mercy
Kind regards
Chris Summers
Deputy Principal ~ Catholic Identity & Wellbeing Leader