Catholic Identity
Religious Education Leader: Elizabeth Holligan
Reflection Sunday October 20, Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
‘Anyone who wants to become great among must be your servant, and anyone who wants tobe first among you must be slave to all. ’Mark 10:43
Our world is full of very important people, people who are quick to tell us to follow them, people who want to rule over others even at the expense of the liberty, dignity, humanity and life itself. We are reminded, in the readings this Sunday, to follow Jesus’ teachings of love, compassion, service. Not to follow greed, hatred, violence, destruction and self-interest.
The Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis, has moved purposely away from a Church that through history was one wielding power and armies, to a Church of healing, compassion, and service. Pope Francis calls us to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, be servants to all and not to seek to be first. Our Bishop of Sandhurst, Bishop Shane Mackinlay, is currently representing Australia at the second assembly of the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops – Synod on Synodality – in the Vatican, Rome Italy. The focus is how the Church today can be a Church of communion, participation and mission in today’s world.
This term across our school students will have the opportunity to be of service to others. Through various Social Justice and Ecological Stewardship activities, fundraising activities for our Vinnies Christmas Appeal, class activities and awareness campaigns we aim to take the first step towards being the change the world needs. We pray for God’s guidance and ask God to give us courage at this time to place aside our desire to be served. May we with God’s guidance follow Jesus’ teachings of love, compassion and service and be a Church of healing and compassion.
General Notices
Year 12 Farewell Mass – Tuesday October 22 commencing 1.15pm
St Anne’s College will farewell our first group of Year 12 students at our whole school mass on Tuesday October 22 commencing 1.15pm at St Mel’s Christ the King Church. All students will be bussed to and from the Church. Please note students in Year 12 are to be in full academic uniform. Following the Mass there will be a short assembly where our 2025 College Captains and House Captains will be announced. Parents and family are most welcome to attend.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Voucher Fundraising
This term our fundraising will be directed towards the Christmas Vinnies appeal. The Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul Conference assists many members of the local community facing challenging times financially. Our local St Vincent de Paul conference is requesting our help as they aid over 450 clients this Christmas.
Each year level and PG is asked to raise funds to purchase vouchers for families and individuals in need this Christmas. You can help by donating cash or vouchers for the provision of food from business like SPC or supermarkets (not cards that can be spent on alcohol). Any cash sent will be used by the school and Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul conference to purchase vouchers. We are grateful to our St Anne’s College community for your assistance and continued support for our Social Justice initiatives during the past 12 months. During Term 1 this year our community raised over $5,000 for Caritas and Project Compassion. In Term 4 last year, with your generous support, our community raised over $3,500 assist families and others in need for the Vinnies Christmas appeal. Once again, we ask for your generous support. Vouchers will be presented to the Shepparton South St Vincent de Paul conference at our end of year mass. Your generosity, kindness and assistance are greatly appreciated in our fundraising at St Anne’s College.
St Mel’s Parish Sacramental Program meeting time update
St Mel’s Parish Sacramental Program – Reconciliation – meeting times have been updated. Please update your calendar. The Commitment Masses are this weekend at St Mel’s Christ the King Church at 9.30am or 5pm. The first session – Our Time Together One – will be at St Anne’s College on Thursday October 24 starting at 6.30pm. Times and locations of meetings are listed below:
