Religious Education News

Today was a significant day for the students and staff of O’Connor. Firstly, we welcomed our new student leaders in the presence of their parents and the wider student community at our Student Leader’s Commissioning Mass. 

Parents were able to pin the leader’s badges on their children, marking a significant milestone in their school lives. This milestone is the culmination of a journey that started many years ago, and was one of the main themes addressed in the highly successful senior leadership retreat which our students engaged in at Coffs Harbour in the first week of this term.

The second significant moment was that the Mass was also the last time that we as a community were able to celebrate Mass with Fr Roel, who is leaving us for St Edward’s Parish in Tamworth next week. 

Fr Roel has been a staunch supporter of the College throughout his time in Armidale and has involved himself actively in all aspects of the College’s faith life. He will be very sorely missed and we wish him all the very best in the next stage of his priestly vocation.

The readings for today’s Mass featured the theme of ‘servant leadership’, when leaders are called to put the needs of others before their own. 

As Catholics we look upon the lived example of Jesus as our role model for servant leadership, remembering the times that he put himself last in order to put others forward - for instance when he washed the feet of his Disciples before the Last Supper. Our school provides many opportunities for students to act as servant leaders, through their involvement in Vinnies, Z Club, sports coaching, acting as readers and writers for HSC exams, and many other times. 

As we move towards the end of the year and closer to Advent, we are called upon to reflect and think about what we can do to become servant leaders, working to help those who need help and putting their needs before our own.

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