Catholic Identity 

In this newsletter...

• St Carlo Acutis

• Confirmation

• Preps in Pyjamas

• Luce Pilgrimage

• Columban Art Calendar

• School Masses

• Community Masses 2025

St Carlo Acutis

St Carlo Acutis  was recognised as a saint by Pope Leo two Sundays ago. Carlo loved computers and computer games. He also loved Jesus. Carlo created a website about Communion. He loved receiving Communion and he went to Mass every day. He even went when he was on holiday! In fact, because of his example his mother began to go to Mass. Carlo believed that when we receive Jesus in the Sacrament, we become like Jesus. He wanted everyone to follow and love Jesus. He always looked after those who were sad or being bullied.  He became like Jesus, always helping and caring for others.  

Carlo did not believe in following others just to be popular. He did not follow film stars, You Tube stars etc. He wanted to be unique. He did not want to be a photocopy of someone else. Carlo realised that he was created by God for a special purpose and that meant he had to be himself.   

Carlo is a modern-day saint. He is a saint who wore t-shirts and jeans and kicked a football. He is a saint who liked PlayStation and mobile phones. We do not expect someone like Carlo to be a saint! But he is! Carlo died when he was only 15, but he was very happy because during his life he showed his love for God and for others. He is a very unexpected teacher, but he has a lesson for us all.  

Just think – you are also a saint in the making!

Confirmation

On Sunday 17th August, at Community Mass, students in Year 6 celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Martin Ashe, Auxiliary Bishop for the Western Region of Melbourne, was the main celebrant for this Confirmation Mass. It was wonderful to be able to welcome him for this celebration. 

Congratulations to all of the students who were Confirmed. Thanks also must go to the Year 6 team for preparing the students for the sacrament. Thanks also all of the staff who assisted in a variety of ways leading up to the Mass, as well as during it. Special thanks to Imogen and Jamie for their work in preparing the choir, as well as our musicians who played - both current and former students of OLSC. Finally, thank you also to those students who altar served. 

We pray that our Confirmed students contibue to grow in love of God and that the Holy Spirit continues to sgtrengthen them in the gifts of the Spirit. 

Preps in Pyjamas Evening

All of our Prep students and their families are invited to join us for a 'Preps in Pyjamas' evening. Come dressed in your favourite pyjamas and join us for a night of prayer, listening to story, and getting crafty... there WILL be glitter!

Preps in Pyjamas will be on Tuesday 16th September (Term 3, Week 9), from 6-7pm. Join us in Learning Centre 3 for the evening. 

Luce Pilgrimage

Throughout this semester Luce, the Jubilee mascot, is making a pilgrimage across the school. Already, she has spent time with all of the Year 1/2 groups, and has begun visiting the Preps. Here are some of the fun things Luce has done with our learning groups. Keep a look out next term for some exciting updates about Luce and the Jubilee!

Columban Art Calendar 2026

The 2026 Columban Art Calendar is available for ordering now. All the proceeds of the sale of these calendars go towards the work of the St Columban Missionary Society, priests and lay missionaries who live and share the Good News of Jesus Christ through: 

• working with poor and exploited people

• inter-faith relations with people of other religions 

• seeking justice and dignity for those denied their rights 

• developing faith communities in the local church 

• showing respect and care for the earth and the environment.

Calendars and other resources can be purchased via: 

https://www.columban.org.au/donate/shop/columban-art-calendar/ 

School Masses

Please find below all of the scheduled school Masses for 2025. These will begin at 9am this year, so we are hoping many more families can join us at this earlier time. All are welcome!

Our last two school Masses for the year will be special events. On Friday 17th October, our Mass will be part of our Grandparent's Day celebrations. We invite as many of our grandparents to join us for this Mass. 

Our last school Mass for the year will be our school Feast Day, Friday 14th November. As part of this celebration, we will have a procession of our image of Mary around the school and church block followed by Mass. We invite all of our community to this special celebration, in honour of Mary. 

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

Community Masses in 2025

We have continued to have wonderful attendance numbers for our Community Masses so far this year. Last month we had our first Community Mass over a school holidays. We had a great number attend, and are very thankful to all of the volunteers who helped to set up and pack up, and take on roles during the Mass. 

This month, Community Mass will include the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, with Bishop Martin Ashe presiding. We are very fortunate to have him join us for this - he is very aware, and supporitve, of our efforts to build up this community and a new church building. 

We encourage you to spread the word of our Community Masses and invite as many family, friends, neighbours and others to these celebrations. 

Follow and like the Wyndham Vale Catholic Community Facebook page to get updates and further information about Community Masses and other events. 

John Dini

jdini@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au 

Catholic Identity Leader