Religious Education News

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke Chapter 10, verses 25 to 37), Jesus is challenged by a lawyer to define the concept of ‘neighbour’. Jesus had been asked by the same person what he thought the greatest commandment was, which was to love God completely. Jesus had then gone on to state that there was a second commandment which was just as important, to love one’s neighbour as you loved yourself.

In the parable, Jesus upends ideas that were considered normal for the time. A Jewish man is attacked and left for dead. Two Jews (one a priest, the other a high ranking official) walk past and do not give assistance. Finally a Samaritan, a hated enemy of the Jewish people, stops and helps the victim. 

Jesus then asked the lawyer who he thought the victim’s neighbour was, to which the man replied that the Samaritan was, because he had given assistance.

One of the points that Jesus was trying to make was that all human beings have a shared responsibility to help each other, regardless of who we are or where we come from. Jesus did not make distinctions between rich and poor, Jews and non-Jews. Many of his disciples were people who were considered to be social rejects, like Zacchaeus the tax collector, who worked for the hated Romans and was in reality a traitor to his own people. 

Here at O’Connor we try to live out this teaching to be good neighbours to all through our support for initiatives like Project Compassion. We recently held our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast, which was so popular that it also extended into pancake recess! Thank you to the students and staff who supported this fundraiser, helping to raise almost $500 for Project Compassion. Our house captains are working on other activities which will be run over the next few weeks with the aim of raising over $2000 for Project Compassion. 

Last Wednesday our school came together with St Marys and members of the Armidale Cathedral Parish community to celebrate Ash Wednesday. The term ‘standing room only’ was definitely appropriate for the Mass, which launched the Church season of Lent. It was a lovely gathering and fantastic to see the students and staff of both Parish schools celebrating Mass together (it very rarely happens!). 

Another initiative which is being relaunched this week is our Assistant Catechist program, involving Year 10 students who work with members of our Parish community to deliver scripture lessons in state primary schools here in Armidale. Students will be given training to help them in this role, which is a significant step forward into student leadership here at O’Connor. 

As we move forward into Lent, let’s keep reminding ourselves who our neighbours are, and support any initiative that helps improve the lives of any who are in need in our community. 

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