John XXIII College Newsletter

Faith and Mission

This Sunday, 35 Year 11 students, accompanied by staff members Luke Bostelman, Erin Basile, Xavier Mitchell and Jess Pillera, will set out on the 2025 John XXIII College Pilgrimage. In partnership with Red Earth, they will travel to remote First Nations Homelands in Cape York, where they will be welcomed by Traditional Owners and Elders and invited to learn from their cultures, connection to Country, and way of life.

 

The Pilgrimage is both a faith formation opportunity and a meaningful expression of the College’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation. Grounded in Ignatian spirituality and the Catholic Social Tradition, the program invites participants to reflect on justice, faith, and identity in light of their experiences.

 

Since October 2024, students have engaged in a range of preparatory activities, including formation sessions, a retreat, and the Solidarity Walk, which raised over $10,000 in support of our international partners in India and Cambodia. These opportunities are designed to deepen awareness, build cultural understanding, and foster a spirit of openness and reflection.

 

On Thursday evening, a Commissioning Mass was held – a reverent and joyful Eucharistic celebration that brought together pilgrims and their families in prayer ahead of the journey.

 

While on Pilgrimage, students and staff will take part in daily reflection and journaling, exploring where God may be present in their surroundings and how they are called to live justly and with greater awareness. The experience invites them to encounter new perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations around cultures, community, and faith.

 

We extend our sincere thanks to the staff accompanying the group for their commitment and leadership. Their presence is vital to the depth and success of this experience.

 

We wish the group every blessing for the journey ahead and look forward to hearing their insights and reflections upon their return.

 

 

 

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refugee Week - thanks from CARAD

Thank you to our wonderful community for your generous support of the CARAD collection during Refugee Week. CARAD (Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees) provides vital support, advocacy, and essential items to people seeking asylum and refugees as they build new lives in our community.

 

We were deeply moved to receive this message from CARAD:

“Thank you so much for the incredible support you and your school have shown CARAD. Honestly so heart-warming and much needed.”

Your kindness and solidarity truly reflect our College values and make a real difference.

Community Mass

Thank you to our amazing music students (and their teachers!) who enriched this morning’s liturgy with their music. It is appropriate to also acknowledge the faithful members of Chapel Choir; every Friday morning at 7:30am they arrive at the Chapel for rehearsal prior to leading all of us in singing the Mass at 8:00am. A well-known maxim of St Augustine is ‘the one who sings prays twice’ and in our Friday morning Mass, the singing helps our community to pray. Music also brings joy and beauty to our liturgies, and we are truly blessed to have a dedicated Chapel Choir, and also many other choral ensembles, instrumentalists and teachers who make all this possible. 

 

To conclude Semester 1, Year 12 students will prepare Community Mass next Friday. Year 12 families are especially welcome to attend this Mass, and to gather for a warming cup of coffee and conversation in the café after the Mass. 

 

If you have any questions about Community Mass, please contact Mary-Anne Lumley.

 

Community Mass details

  • College Chapel
  • Fridays in term time
  • Starts at 8:00am; concludes at 8:30am.

Sacraments

Year 4 – Holy Communion

 

Congratulations to these Year 4 students who have completed their preparation for their First Holy Communion, and who received their certificates in a ceremony in the College Chapel. These students celebrate the sacrament with their families in their parish. Because parish schedules vary, some students are eagerly waiting for their First Communion later in the year. Others have participated in parish celebrations this term. 

 

Congratulations these students and their families:

 

Claremont Parish 

Sophie Ainslie

Harlow Bester

Luca Biagi

Edie Fennessy

Luke Fleay

Ethan Horlin

Nikole Orugun Boyer

Susana Quiceno Yanez

Henrik Rear

Charlie Rohr

Zach Sibenaler

Aston Waller

 

Floreat Parish

James Czajko

Aurelie Ford

Josie Hawkins

Lucio Martin

Grace Russo

Luke Russo

Charlie Savage

Oliver Woods

 

Nedlands Parish

Margot Meunier

 

We look forward to announcing other students in Semester 2.

 

Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so don’t be afraid to ask. Below are some useful points of contact: 

Feast of the Sacred Heart 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 

and at Community Mass this morning we proclaimed the readings of the feast.

 

Image: Philip Chircop, SJ.
Image: Philip Chircop, SJ.