Catholic Identity

2026 Diocesan Theme
Seek Peace & Pursue It.

Our New Diocesan Theme ~ From our Staff Beginning Year Prayer ~

ALL IN ~ Reconciliation Week ~

This year, St Mel’s is honoured to host the Catholic Education Sandhurst Reconciliation Mass for Healing & Justice at Christ the King Church as part of National Reconciliation Week.

The 2026 theme, All In, calls all Australians to actively walk together in the spirit of reconciliation, healing, justice, and hope. We are incredibly proud that our students played a significant role in this diocesan celebration.

Students from our school, alongside other Catholic primary schools across Shepparton, came together to form a combined choir, filling our church with songs of hope, unity, reconciliation and peace. Our Year 6 student leaders also participated in the Mass through readings and prayers, helping to lead our community in reflection.

The celebration began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, honouring the deep spiritual connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land and acknowledging the richness and strength of the world’s oldest continuing cultures. The Mass also included Indigenous music, didgeridoo playing, and dance, creating a powerful and prayerful experience for all gathered.

As a school community, we are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside others across the Sandhurst Diocese in this important act of reconciliation. Through prayer, music, storytelling, and community, we continue our commitment to walking together with respect, understanding, and compassion. ALL IN!!!

We are incredibly proud of our students and thankful to all staff and families supporting this meaningful celebration.

We were also ALL IN at school throughout the week, celebrating and acknowledging National Reconciliation Week within our own community. Our Year 5 students and choir members led a special Assembly Prayer focused on reconciliation, healing, and hope. Students and staff across the school contributed to creating our ALL IN Wall, a visible sign of our commitment to walking together in respect and unity. Many meaningful conversations, activities, stories, artworks, and reflections also took place across our pastoral groups as we continued learning about truth, culture, justice, and reconciliation together.

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

Sacramental Mass ~

We are overjoyed to share the wonderful news of our recent sacramental celebrations. On Sunday, our school and parish community gathered together to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist for our Sacramental Candidates. It was a truly beautiful and faith-filled occasion, filled with joy, reverence and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

First and foremost, congratulations to all the children who received their sacraments. Your commitment to your faith journey and your openness to God’s presence in your lives is inspiring. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen you, and may receiving Jesus in the Eucharist bring you peace, courage and hope each day.

This year’s theme, Seek Peace and Pursue It, was reflected beautifully throughout the celebration. As a community, we are reminded that peace begins in our hearts, in our relationships and in the way we live out our faith each day. Through the sacraments, our students are called to continue walking in the footsteps of Jesus, sharing His love and peace with others.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the families of our Sacramental Candidates. Your love, support and commitment to nurturing your child’s faith has been invaluable throughout this journey. Your presence and involvement in the Mass and preparation gatherings helped make this occasion so meaningful and memorable.

A sincere thank you also goes to Mel and our dedicated parish sacramental team for their care, preparation and guidance. Your time, commitment and support of our students and families is a true blessing to our school and parish community.

Our Sacramental Mass, led by Fr Ronald, was a beautiful celebration of faith, community and belonging. The choir, led by members of our school community, added a special and uplifting presence to the celebration, filling the church with song and joy. Together, the prayers, music and reverent participation of all present created a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of our faith community.

As we continue to grow together in faith, may we keep these children and their families in our prayers. May they continue to seek peace, pursue kindness and walk closely with God throughout their lives.

Once again, congratulations to all our Sacramental Candidates and thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration so special.

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

Saint Anthony of Padua

Celebrating Pentecost – The Birthday of the Church!

On Sunday 24th May, when our Sacramental Candidates are confirmed, we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and marks the moment the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles, giving them the courage and strength to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Pentecost is often called the Birthday of the Church, because it marks the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world.

At our school, Pentecost reminds us that we are called to be people of courage, hope, and unity. Just like the early disciples, we are invited to share God’s love with others through our words and actions. The Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire us today, helping us build a community that is welcoming, compassionate, and filled with joy.

To celebrate Pentecost in our school community, students have been learning about the symbols of the Holy Spirit, wind, fire, and the dove and reflecting on how the Spirit is active in their own lives. You might like to ask your child: