Year 8 Students Called to Be “Salt and Light” at Social Justice Morning

Our Year 8 students recently participated in a vibrant and engaging Social Justice Morning led by the Liturgy Youth Ministry team, exploring the theme of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's 2026 Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division. The morning invited students to reflect on how they can build a more respectful, inclusive and hope-filled community through their words, actions and online presence.

The program began in the Chapel with a Social Justice Sunday presentation, introducing students to key messages from the statement, including the importance of fostering a "culture of encounter", building bridges across differences, and promoting respectful communication both in person and online. Students were challenged to consider how they can become "salt and light" in their everyday lives through acts of kindness, justice and reconciliation.

Throughout the morning, students rotated through a variety of interactive workshops facilitated by the Liturgy Youth Ministry leaders.

A highlight of the day was the Ice Breaker Games, led by Amelia and Claire, which encouraged students to discover the diversity within their homeroom groups. Through conversations and shared experiences, students recognised the richness of their community and the importance of getting to know and appreciate one another.

In the Chapel, Niya and Liv led a reflective Prayer Service and Bridge Activity based on Gospel passages including The Good Samaritan, Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and Light) and Matthew 5:44 (Love Your Enemies). Students then contributed to a large Bridge Wall, writing practical ways they could build connections rather than divisions in their families, friendships and wider community.

Owen, Luke and Jack presented a hands-on activity Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division that combined prayer, reflection, creativity, and action. Students rotated through four interactive stations.

The activity was grounded in the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division, which calls us to build a "culture of encounter", act justly, foster reconciliation, and be "salt and light" in our communities. Students explored four key themes:

Encounter: Who am I reluctant to understand?
Justice: Who is marginalised in our community?
Reconciliation: How can I help heal divisions?
Hope: Where can I be "light" this week?

The Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division workshop invited students to engage more deeply with the Social Justice Statement. Through discussion and creative activities, students designed posters and social media graphics promoting positive messages such as:

Pause. Pray. Post.
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Choose dialogue over division.

These activities reinforced the statement's call for Christians to exercise restraint online, reject harmful communication and promote human dignity in all encounters.

Sam, Nathan and Will led the popular Think Before You Post Challenge, where students explored the influence of social media and the importance of responsible digital citizenship. Inspired by the statement's encouragement to use social media with wisdom and charity, students launched a 7-Day Digital Kindness Challenge, committing to:

Posting encouragement
Avoiding gossip
Checking facts before sharing information
Responding respectfully online

The workshop encouraged students to pause before posting and consider how their online actions can contribute to either division or understanding.

Adding a touch of fun and creativity to the morning, Audrey, Matilda, Ruby and Harper facilitated the Wear Yellow for Hope activity. Students decorated Social Justice cookies while completing social justice-themed word searches and crosswords. The yellow theme served as a reminder that Christians are called to be signs of hope in a world often marked by division and conflict.

The Social Justice Morning was a wonderful example of student leadership, faith formation and community building. Through prayer, discussion, creativity and action, our Year 8 students were challenged to become bridge-builders who promote kindness, understanding and reconciliation in their everyday lives.

As the Social Justice Statement reminds us, when we choose encounter over division, dialogue over hostility and hope over fear, we help create communities where every person's dignity is recognised and respected.

Thanks to the Year 8 teacher who gave their class time to support these workshops and the Youth Ministry initiative.

AJASS Tasmania Pilgrimage 2026

From September 8th to 11th, four members of our school community will have the wonderful opportunity to participate in the AJASS Pilgrimage to Tasmania. Representing our school will be staff members Claire Cassidy and Grace Ronchi, alongside students Amelia Hams and Claire Glasgow.

This four-day pilgrimage will explore the rich Josephite heritage of Tasmania, following in the footsteps of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods. Participants will visit significant historical and spiritual sites, engage in prayer and reflection, learn about the Josephite charism, and consider how the values of faith, service, compassion, justice, and education continue to shape Catholic communities today.

The pilgrimage promises to be a meaningful journey of faith, learning, and community. Through shared experiences and reflection, participants will be encouraged to bring the Josephite spirit back to their own school communities and continue the legacy of service and hope that inspired the founders of the Sisters of St Joseph.

We wish Claire, Grace, Amelia and Claire every blessing as they prepare for this special experience. We look forward to hearing their stories and seeing more of their pilgrimage journey when they return.

Staff Participate in Mary MacKillop Colloquium

On 31 August and 1 September, staff members Bekk Anthony and Sam Florence represented our school community at the Mary MacKillop "Daughter of Melbourne" Colloquium, held at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in Melbourne.

The two-day gathering brought together educators, leaders and ministry workers from across Victoria to explore the life, spirit and enduring legacy of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The word colloquium, meaning "conversation", reflects the event's focus on sharing experiences, deepening understanding and engaging in meaningful dialogue about living Mary's mission in today's world.

Participants attended a series of input sessions, engaged in participant exchange, visited significant Melbourne sites connected to Mary MacKillop's story and took part in periods of prayer and reflection. Throughout the colloquium, attendees were challenged to consider how Mary's commitment to justice, compassion and service to those on the margins continues to inspire contemporary ministry and leadership.

The experience provided a valuable opportunity to connect with others working in the Josephite tradition and to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of responding to God's call in a changing world.

Here is their reflection on the experience below...

Melbourne Colloquium Explores the Enduring Legacy of Mary MacKillop

Over two enriching days on 31 August and 1 September, Sam Florence and Bekk Anthony gathered with both Victorian and interstate staff from other Catholic Diocese for a Colloquium Program dedicated to deepening their understanding of the life, mission, and enduring charism of Saint Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The Colloquium was held at the Mary Mackillop Heritage Centre in Melbourne.

Participants examined the courage and determination that inspired the early Sisters to respond to the needs of those on the margins of society. One highlight of the first day was the immersive Little Lon experience, which provided insight into the harsh living conditions endured by Melbourne's poor during the late nineteenth century. Participants visited sites associated with Mary MacKillop's ministry and discovered how she worked directly with vulnerable families in one of Melbourne's most disadvantaged communities. Supported by historical archaeological artefacts and primary source documents, the experience brought Mary's commitment to social justice vividly to life. This was followed by lived experience discussions with Sister Mary and Sister Joan (both now in their 80s) who spent a significant period of time sharing their own stories around caring for a significant number of babies put up for adoption, and the creation of family support housing that enabled single mothers to live with their children while obtaining vocational work in the community. Their stories were extremely impactful on all participants.

Day two began early with an early morning pilgrimage walk to visit other historical sites around the city centre that are linked to Mary’s mission. Through stories of significant moments and places in Mary's life, including Melbourne, Penola, Portland, Hamilton, and Adelaide, participants reflected on themes of courage, change, charity, and faithful leadership, while considering how Mary's example continues to influence their own lives and ministry today.

Throughout the two days, time was intentionally set aside for prayer, journaling, personal reflection, along with engagement with Mary's own writings. The Colloquium concluded with a practical workshop exploring ways to keep Mary MacKillop's charism alive within our own school communities. Both Sam and Bekk considered how Mary’s example of faith and compassion could continue to shape Catholic education and inspire future generations moving through our school in the future; finding the two days valuable in their mission as teachers within our community.

Father's Day Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the gift of fathers and father figures who reflect your love, guidance, and care in our lives.

Bless all fathers today. Strengthen them in their vocation to lead their families with faith, integrity, patience, and generosity. Grant them wisdom in their decisions, courage in times of difficulty, and joy in the love of their families.

We remember with gratitude the fathers who have gone before us into eternal life. May they rest in your peace and be welcomed into the fullness of your kingdom.

We pray also for those for whom this day is difficult: those who grieve the loss of a father, those longing to be fathers, and those whose experience of fatherhood has been marked by pain. May they know your healing presence and tender love.

Through the intercession of St Joseph, faithful husband and devoted father, may all fathers grow in holiness and become witnesses of your love in the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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