Catholic Identity

2025 Diocesan Theme
Pilgrims of Hope: Embracing the Jubilee Year 2025

2025 ~ 2026 Sacramental Program

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Commitment Mass & Student Baptism & Our Time Together First Cluster Group

Our 2025–2026 Sacramental Program has begun, with families and students coming together to celebrate this special journey of faith.

Last weekend, students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation participated in our Commitment Masses, making their promise to walk with our parish community in faith and preparation. We were also blessed to celebrate the Baptism of one of our students Sam, a beautiful moment of welcome and joy for her family and our parish community. Congratulation Sam!

On Thursday, our First Cluster Group “Our Time Together” gathered, sharing stories, reflection, and learning more about God’s love and forgiveness at St. Anne's College. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and families to connect and grow together in faith.

We thank our families, students and staff who have supported the program so far, and we continue to keep all our Sacramental Candidates in our prayers as they journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Season of Creation ~ New Friends in Our Community

As the Season of Creation comes to a close, it’s reminded us of the importance of caring for our earth ~ a responsibility that continues all year round.

This week, one of our families has entrusted us with the care of their Nonno and Nonno’s goldfish. What an exciting moment welcoming them into their new home! Be sure to stop by and say hello to our new friends.

Our Preps may have a special task this coming week: naming our new members of the school community. It’s wonderful to see our students embracing care, responsibility, and a sense of connection, values that extend both to our environment and to all living creatures around us.

"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola

Mission Month ~ Garage Sale: Living Our Faith in Action

Our Year 5/6 students are taking the lead with a Garage Sale this Thursday from 2:30pm – 4:30pm in the school hall. This initiative is entirely student-led, with support of the Uppers staff, growing from their learning in the Source of Life unit and Mission Month, and demonstrates how they can live out their Catholic faith through service, generosity, and care for others.

Students have collected pre-loved items from their homes, families and school community, which they will sell to raise funds for local needs through Foodshare and global needs through Catholic Mission. This project allows them to actively practice compassion, stewardship, and social justice, while developing leadership, organisation, and teamwork skills.

The Garage Sale is a wonderful example of our students turning their learning and faith into meaningful action. We are proud of their initiative and encourage families to come along, support the event, and celebrate their efforts in making a difference in both local and global communities.

Items range in price from 50c to $10, and students will have the opportunity to purchase items during school time by purchasing tickets, 50c per ticket. Please send money in a clearly marked envelope or come in and join your child and make some purchases yourself.

Actions speak louder than words, let your words teach and your actions speak”

Saint Anthony of Padua

Diwali – Celebrating Light and Belonging

This week, we joined with members of our school community to recognise and celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness, goodness over fear, a message that beautifully connects with our own Catholic understanding of Christ as the Light of the World.

At St Mel’s, we are blessed to be part of a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith community, where we learn from one another’s stories, traditions, and celebrations. Taking time to share in Diwali helps us deepen our sense of belonging, respect, and unity, as we continue to build a community where every child and family feels valued, and included.

May the spirit of Diwali inspire us all to continue being lights of kindness and hope for one another.

November ~ In our liturgical calendar

In our liturgical calendar, we look to the month of November. In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of those who have died. The month begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on the 1st of November and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on 2 November.

Today, November 1st, is All Saints Day. This day is dedicated to remembering those who have been canonised saints by the Church. Some discussions you might like to have as a family - Who are some saints you know? St. Mel, St. Patrick, Mary Mackillop, Mother Teresa. People are sometimes named after saints, do you know anyone? What qualities might a saint possess - faith and belief in God, love for fellow people and standing up for those who have no voice, compassion, and service to others?

How can we learn from saints? How can we follow in their footsteps?

Who do we know that shows the qualities of a saint in our own lives?

Mungo Immersion ~ the Meeting Place Reflection

I’d like to take a moment to thank our staff who engaged so thoughtfully in our Staff Prayer Reflection focused on my Mungo Immersion. I felt truly blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in the Mungo Immersion and to share that experience with our staff team ~ connecting it to Indigenous culture, our Catholic faith, and the story of our school.

I’ve included my personal reflection and prayer with this newsletter as a way to continue the conversation and invite further reflection. A special thank you to Michael Chisholm from CESL for joining us last Wednesday, it was very meaningful to have the leader of our immersion present and sharing in this time together with our staff.

Mungo Immersion Prayer.pdf