Faith and Mission
Faith and Formation
Enhancing Catholic School Identity
From 2026, all school communities within Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) participate in the ECSI Quickscan Survey. This survey invites members of the school community to reflect on how the Catholic identity of the school is experienced and expressed, helping to inform future initiatives and ministries at a local level.
To support this important work, CSPD has partnered with the Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven to develop the Quickscan Survey. The survey consists of 26 short, anonymous questions and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The insights gained assist school leaders and teachers to strengthen mission-focused practices and inform the school’s annual School Improvement Plan, shaping the experiences and opportunities provided to students.
Students in Years 5–12 and all staff at St Luke’s Catholic College have now completed the survey, and we are currently working to finalise responses from our families. We have been given a requested sample size to meet, and we are currently about 60 family responses short of this target.
If you are able to complete the survey, we would greatly appreciate your support. We strongly encourage participation from all families, including those from religious and non-religious backgrounds. Whether you are new to our school community or have been part of it for some time, your perspective is valued and will help shape the future of St Luke’s.
Please click the link below to complete the survey by Sunday 26 April.
Survey link: https://www.ecsi.site/au/user/
CSPD Code: Ghj654School Survey Code: S94tBK
If you have any questions about the Quickscan Survey, please contact the school office on 9854 3100 or email jatkins4@parra.catholic.edu.au
Updating Student Sacramental Details
As part of the faith life of St Luke’s Catholic College, our students are participating more regularly in Mass and liturgical celebrations. To ensure that each student is able to fully participate, it is important that we have accurate and up-to-date sacramental records on file.
We provide teachers with the sacramental details we currently hold; however, as these records are not always updated regularly, there is a possibility that some students may miss the opportunity to receive a sacrament.
We kindly ask that you update your child’s sacramental details via this Google Form and provide as much information as possible regarding Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Thank you for your support in helping us to nurture the faith journey of every student.
Liturgy
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday, 18th February, our school community gathered for two meaningful celebrations to mark Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent.
Our SOF students participated in a reverent Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Throughout the celebration, students reflected on the new liturgical season through prayer, Scripture readings and the imposition of ashes. Fr Chinonye spoke to the students about the importance of growing closer to Jesus during Lent and taking time to strengthen their relationship with Him.
Later in the day, our SOL/E students gathered to celebrate an Ash Wednesday Mass. Students actively participated through prayer, singing and the Eucharist before receiving ashes. During the homily, Fr Chinonye spoke about the spiritual “weapons” the Church gives us during Lent: prayer, almsgiving and fasting, as ways to repent, turn back to God and grow in faith.
Over the past two weeks, our Stage 2 and Stage 3 classes have also been attending the Thursday 9:00 am Mass in the church, joining parishioners in prayer and worship. This has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to be actively involved in parish life and deepen their understanding of the Mass within the wider faith community.
Both celebrations, along with our ongoing participation in parish Masses, have provided meaningful opportunities for our students to begin the Lenten journey with reflection, reverence and hope.
Liturgy Engagement Opportunities
As we begin a new school year, there are many opportunities for students and staff to encounter and engage with their faith. The choir is in full swing with students learning new songs and hymns. One we are preparing to perform at the Multicultural Day showcase in Week 10.
With a number of liturgical celebrations throughout the year, students are warmly invited to join the St Luke’s SOL/E Choir. It is not too late to sign up!
Choir rehearsals will take place each Thursday from 2:45–3:45pm in the Music Space (Symphony Centre or Performance Hall). Rehearsals will commence in Week 4, Thursday 19 February.
For further information, please contact Mr Max Tromp at📧 mtromp2@parra.catholic.edu.au
Alternatively, students can register their interest by completing the following Google Form:🔗 https://forms.gle/TDL8BKHWvP1DGjvS9
Faith Formation
Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
As you are aware, this term we are focusing on the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Dignity of the Human Person throughout the College in Religious Education classes. This teaching reminds us that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore has inherent value and worth.
Through purposeful learning experiences, students will be encouraged to grow in respect, compassion and inclusion. Classroom discussions, collaborative activities and opportunities for reflection will help students develop an understanding of the importance of treating others with dignity and recognising the unique gifts each person brings to our community.
Today, Friday, March 6 students have had the opportunity to further put their Faith into Action through our Mufti Food Donation Day, supporting Jesuit Social Services -Ignite Food Store food drive. Students have been encouraged to bring along items from the requested list to support individuals and families in need within our local community.
Faith In Action
Shrove Tuesday Activities
On Tuesday in Week 4, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, this day was a time to use up luxury ingredients like eggs, milk, and flour before Lent, often by making pancakes. At school, we marked the occasion by buying pancakes and taking part in a fun pancake stacking competition. Students also learned about the meaning and history behind Shrove Tuesday.
Project Compassion
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising appeal. For over 60 years, it has invited schools, parishes and communities to live out the Gospel during Lent through prayer, reflection and action. In this sacred season of repentance and renewal, we are called to put our faith into practice by standing in solidarity with those experiencing poverty and injustice.
This Lent, our school community will have several opportunities to respond to this call. We will be hosting a school disco for our K - 6 students (date to be announced), with all proceeds supporting Project Compassion. Later in the term, students will also take part in the Big Water Walk, helping students deepen their understanding of the daily challenges faced by those without reliable access to clean water, and to grow in empathy and compassion.
Donations to Project Compassion can be made via the QKR app between 18 February and 5 April.
2026 Project Compassion Launch
Earlier this term, Miss Saab accompanied a group of students from Years 5, 6 and 10 to the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese launch of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2026. The event provided students with the opportunity to learn more about how Project Compassion supports vulnerable communities around the world and how we are all called to respond with compassion and generosity.
Below are a few reflections from our students who attended the launch:
The Project Compassion Launch provided young people from within the diocese with information about Caritas and what they and the churches/schools within Parramatta do to help the people in need. The project launched on Thursday 12 February was focused on “Uniting against poverty this Lent.” We learnt all about the 4 different people that Project Compassion is aiming to help this Lent. Sisilia from Tanzania was the main focus of our learning that day. She is a 13-year-old girl living in remote Tanzania who had to walk half an hour each day before and after school to go collect water for her and her family.
We were able to combine our thoughts and ideas with those of other schools while learning and gaining more knowledge. This entire experience was extremely profound as it allowed us to gain insight into how truly fortunate we are to live here. Throughout the experience, the facilitators also informed us of interesting facts about the limitedness of water and how less than 1% of the water on Earth is drinkable, as most of it is trapped in glaciers and in the ocean. There were many different charitable things that we could do to help people in less fortunate countries, like the water walk, which we will later take part in on the school oval, which provides our school community with the opportunity to experience the hardships that people like Sisilia face.
By - Gabriella Gunasekara, Amelia Diana, Taylor Noche and Rain Jay Sarmiento
2026 Project Compassion Launch
In Week 3 on Thursday 12 February, some students got to go on an excursion to St John XXIII for a Project Compassion Launch. We got to learn about people all around the world like Sisilia, who had to walk kilometers each day before school to get water for her family. It wasn’t clean and could make people sick, and Sisilia had to miss out on a lot of school time, which isn’t as fun as it sounds. When the Project Compassion team came in, Sisilia finally had the access to safe water she was looking for. Now she can stay in school and learn new things, and is the leader of a health group at her school.
This inspired me to not take what I had for granted, and always use my resources wisely. It was fun interacting with other students, and hearing their ideas. This Lent, I will try to follow in the footsteps of God by keeping my Lenten promise (To fast from candy, chocolate, lollies, and everything savoury) and donating to Caritas’ Project Compassion.
By - Sebastian Pressello
Year 6 Encounter Day
Earlier this term, our Year 6 students participated in an Encounter Day with Gen Bryant, joining other Year 6 cohorts from across the Diocese for a day of song, dance and prayer. The gathering was a wonderful opportunity for students to come together in faith, celebrating their relationship with God and their connection with other Catholic schools in our Diocese.
Students engaged enthusiastically throughout the day, embracing the energy and message of the encounter and reflecting on how they can continue to grow in faith and community.
Make sure you read more about this special experience in the School of Leadership section.
Year 5 Leadership Day
On Monday 23 February, our Year 5 students welcomed Gen Bryant to St Luke’s Catholic College for a special leadership encounter focused on Courageous Leadership.
Drawing on the Scripture passage “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:29), students were invited to reflect on how leadership begins with the courage to take a “brave step”, even when the waves around us feel big. Through this story, students explored how trusting in God and believing in themselves can help them step out with confidence and lead others positively.
Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of interactive activities that helped them discover how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen young leaders. They explored how wisdom, courage and kindness can shape the way they lead and how their actions can create positive “ripples” within the school community.
In the afternoon, Year 6 students joined Year 5 for a shared leadership session. Four of our Year 12 student leaders formed a panel and responded to thoughtful questions from the students about leadership. This was a wonderful opportunity for our younger students to hear authentic experiences from senior leaders and to learn about the courage, responsibility and service involved in leading others.
The day was filled with energy, reflection and collaboration, encouraging students to consider the kind of ripple effect they hope to create within our College community.
Young Christian Students (YCS) :
Our recent YCS/School Leaders Leadership Day was a wonderful success, bringing together our YCS students and school leaders for a day of reflection, collaboration and leadership formation. Through a series of engaging and interactive activities facilitated by Burn Bright, students participated enthusiastically and shared profound insights about leadership, wellbeing and their role within our school community.
One of the key highlights of the day was a collaborative session where YCS students and school leaders worked together in groups to create a vision statement for this year’s focus on reducing academic pressure among students. This initiative emerged from the Young Christian Students (YCS) “Review of Life” process, which follows the well-known See–Judge–Act framework.
The resulting vision statement reflects the students’ desire to build a faith-filled learning community where every student feels supported, empowered and connected. Students expressed the importance of nurturing growth, adaptability and collaboration so that everyone can strive for excellence without fear, discover their purpose, and flourish academically, spiritually and personally in harmony with others.
The day provided a meaningful opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, deepen their understanding of faith in action, and contribute to shaping the culture of our school. Their thoughtful discussions and creative contributions demonstrated the power of student voice when guided by reflection, faith and service.
We are grateful to Burn Bright for their effective and engaging program, and to the staff and leaders who supported the day. The experience has inspired us to explore further ways to extend these formation opportunities so that more students within our community can benefit.
The YCS Leadership Day reminded us that when students are given space to reflect, collaborate and lead, they can help shape a school community where faith, wellbeing and learning grow together.
From our Parish Community…
Sacramental Program
Thank you for participating in our Parish Sacramental Processes last year at St. Luke’s Catholic Parish Marsden Park.
Please find attached a copy of the sacramental process dates for 2026 for those who wish to continue their faith journey.
The attached PDF document has the preparation, sacrament dates and links for how to register.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.
Dates and registrations for our sacramental processes for 2026 are now open. Please use
QR code or log on to our parish website:https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/
Luke 18 Youth Group is back for 2026!
Parish Contacts
Should you need to contact the St Luke’s Parish Community, the contact details follow
here:
Fr Gayan Thamel: gayan.thamel@parracatholic.org
Parish Priest
Ged Oblea: marsdenpark@parracatholic.org
Administrative Assistant
Ph: 02 8530 0173 Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlukesmarsdenpark