The Net

Faith and Mission

Social Outreach:

Caritas - Project Compassion

We will be holding a K-6 Disco to support Caritas Australia.  The Disco will be held in our Performance Space on Friday March 15.  Tickets are $10 per student (this includes a drink and snacks) and are to be purchased through the QKR App.  We have split the year groups for the Disco, times are as follows:

  • Kindy to Year 2 students  will be from 4.15 to 5.45 pm
  • Year 3 to Year 6 will be from 6 to 7.45 pm

We look forward to having our K-6 students in attendance!!

 

Social Outreach started with a bang this year! We have begun our first term with our annual Project Compassion (Caritas) Lenten Appeal and have once again committed to supporting the Ignite food store run by the Jesuit Social Services (JSS). 

 

The Project Compassion Lenten Appeal assists many vulnerable people on a global scale. From providing resources to attain fresh water for a community to supporting adults getting an education. 

If you would like to support this appeal, you can make a donation through the QKR App. by selecting the ‘Fundraising’ option.  

 

Among many other things, the Jesuit Social Services run The Ignite Food Store in Emerton. They are able to keep shelves stocked through the generous donations of others from the local community, which they then sell at a discounted price. More information about the organisation can be found Here. 

If you would like to support their work in the community, please send in any of the items listed below with your child to school. 

 

Week 6 will see some of our Year 10 and 11 students visiting our elderly citizens at the Catholic HealthCare facility in Norwest. 

Last year we had a small group of students visit the facility. It was a proud moment to see the gentle and kind way they interacted with our seniors showing the love of Christ. They engaged in conversation, assisted with arts and crafts and joined in a game of bingo. We look forward to our next visit! 

 

Lastly, our Vinnies groups K-6 and 7-12, will meet every Monday at recess. These groups will get together and look at new ways they can help better our school community and get involved in the local community. We are looking forward to all the fresh ideas and good works that will come forth in the coming weeks! 

 

 

Liturgy:

The year started with a very special Staff Opening Liturgy to welcome the teachers back to the school year. The theme of this year, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4), reminded us what St Luke’s is all about.  Teachers had time to reflect on this word by writing a goal, dream or inspirational words for themselves that represented what they needed to leave behind on the shore to cast out into the deep at St Luke’s this year.

 

In week 2 we celebrated our Opening liturgies to gather as a Catholic community to reflect and pray for the year starting. School of Foundations came together early in the school day on Wednesday 7th February, followed by the Schools of Leadership and Eentrepreneurs later in the day.  Students reflected on how times of change and growth can be challenging and exciting. Deacon Tony encouraged the students to look for God and turn to him in these times, as God is always by our side. As we start the school year we pray that all of our students grow deeper in their faith as we journey throughout the 2024 school year.

 

In week 3 the College celebrated Shrove Tuesday followed by Ash Wednesday. 

 

Shrove Tuesday is a Christian celebration where we prepare ourselves for the Lenten period. For this occasion, the Hospitality students and our parent helpers were able to distribute pancakes to all our students.  Thank you to the parents that were available to help us on the day!!

 

Following Shrove Tuesday, we celebrated Ash Wednesday as a College. Ash Wednesday is the start of the Lenten season of the liturgical Church year.  Lent is the time before Easter, the day we celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead. For this occasion, School of Foundations gathered in the morning to receive Ashes on their foreheads. Students were able to see the visible sign of the Christian time that we are entering. After recess, the Schools of Leadership and Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to partake in this significant day by receiving the Ashes under the phrase “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”  

 

Throughout Term 1, each stage group will celebrate liturgies with a different focus, reinforcing what is covered in their classes.  These liturgies help students make connections between their learning and the deep Catholic roots of St Luke’s Catholic College. 

 

Many blessings,

Isabel Ruiz Davila

 

Formation:

YCS @ St Luke’s:

News from Irene Baik; Youth Engagement Officer, YCW-Diocese of Parramatta.

 

On the 16th of January, leading up to Survival Day, Australian YCW (Young Christian Workers) and Cardijn Community Australia invited participants to come along on the journey to reflect and learn together. We heard from young leaders and activists from their own communities to see how they have taken up the invitation to walk alongside this journey. Our group of young leaders and activists were Sabrina Stevens, Madeline Forde, Josh Lourensz, Yolanda Gill and Sudeep Velagapudi. Our purpose of the webinar was to start conversations around the lead up and the result of the referendum. On the night of the webinar, many experiences were shared and many of our participants were able to share their thoughts and come up with actions to keep the conversation going and to stand in solidarity with our First Nations People.

Sudeep was invited to be a panelist for this webinar as he is an active leader in his school community and especially from his involvement in the YCS (Young Christian Students). Sudeep represented the St Luke’s community in this National webinar and spoke about his experiences as a young leader in his community, campaigning for the ‘Yes!’ Campaign during the referendum. Sudeep shared his thoughts and his experiences with the audience and came up with suggestions for the process of reconciliation with the other participants. His presence was so valued by organisers and the participants, Australian YCW thanks Sudeep for his contribution ! 

 

 

Year 12 Retreat:

The Year 12 retreat was held at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre from January 31 to February 2 this year.  Students were a little apprehensive as to what to expect as they had never experienced an overnight Retreat before.  The Theme for the Year 12 Retreat was “Have no fear, Take heart, Do Not be afraid”,  as stated by Pope Francis at the closing mass of World Youth Day 2023.  

 

Students were given time to reflect on their HSC journey and were encouraged to let go of everything holding them back.  We welcomed Chris Doyle to share with the group in his way of weaving contemporary music, humour and scripture together.  

 

There were many highlights but I would have to say that the last night in which students read a letter they had written to their future selves in 2023, and without knowing also read a letter from their loved ones was most notable.  The letters from loved ones all touched our students and emotions ran high as well as tissues disappearing quickly!!

 

A big thank you goes to Mrs Roach, Mrs Genovese, Miss Rees, Mr Fucille, Mr Jenkins, and Mr Ellis for the great support and leadership provided whilst on Retreat.  A big thank you also goes to Mrs Bauer for visiting us throughout the week.

 

 

Mrs Julie Atkins

Leader: Faith and Formation