Assistant Principal Mission

The St Aloysius Social Justice Group of Cronulla Parish sincerely thank the students and staff, especially Ms Nelson, for creating the beautiful artwork displayed in the church foyer of St Aloysius Cronulla for the Season of Creation (1 September to 4 October). (Feast of St Francis of Assisi).

The theme for Season of Creation 2026 is "Living Water"; hence, Year 8 students produced a beautiful display that depicts magnificent sea creatures of all sizes, shapes and colours. This visual representation deepens our appreciation of nature and God's gift of creation. It also reminds us to care for our common home, as instructed by the late Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si  (Care for Our Common Home) and restated by our current Pope Leo.

We are privileged to be able to share this valued artwork with our parishioners at St Aloysius. Thank you to the students and staff of St Aloysius Cronulla for your commitment to nurturing and caring for our environment, our planet and our home.

Art  is a powerful medium through which to send this message, and you have done exactly this.

Eucharistic Procession 

 Article from SCS website 

More than 350 students from four Sydney Catholic Schools walked with parishioners through Cronulla on Friday, 18 September for an inaugural Eucharistic Procession. 

The event brought together school and parish communities from the Sutherland Shire as they began their local preparation for the Eucharistic Congress 2028 in Sydney. 

Students from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware, St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla and St Aloysius College Cronulla gathered at Shelley Park, before walking along the Cronulla Esplanade to St Aloysius Church, where the four school communities came together with parishioners for a prayer service and Benediction. 

Along the way, the procession paused at several points to pray for different intentions, including students' families, local lifeguards and marine animals. Students also carried a specially prepared prayer booklet for the day, with reflection questions exploring how Jesus has helped them make good choices, their own worries and feelings, and the love and sacrifice of Jesus. 

Fr James McCarthy, Parish Priest of St Aloysius Cronulla, led the procession, providing an opportunity for students, staff and parishioners to walk together with the Blessed Sacrament and publicly witness to their faith. 

Fr James said processions have a long history in the life of the Church and provide an opportunity to bring Christ beyond the walls of the church, "where we walk together with the body of Christ". 

"Sometimes we can be insular in faith within the boundaries of the church building, but the blessings of Christ shouldn't just be limited to the building of the church." 

"The blessings of Christ should be extended everywhere." 

Fr James said the procession was also an opportunity for young people to see that faith is part of every aspect of life.

“Faith encapsulates the entirety of our life, and it shouldn’t be narrowed down to a little pocket.

“And it’s good for young people to know that the church is not just this little building, but the blessings of Christ include every element of life.

“God is part of all of those experiences, and we want Christ to be part of that, and we want God’s blessings.”

Catechist Training Day  

On Wednesday, 14 October, our Year 9 students will participate in a formation and training day as part of their preparation to teach Scripture at Burraneer Bay Public School in 2027. This initiative continues our commitment to developing confident, faith-filled young leaders who can serve our wider community with generosity and skill.

Students are asked to meet at Thornton Hall, St Aloysius Primary School, at 8:45am. They are to wear their sports uniform and bring recess, lunch, a drink bottle, and any personal items they may need throughout the day.

This training day is designed to equip students with the practical and interpersonal skills required to teach Kindergarten to Year 3 students in a fortnightly rotation next year. 

Throughout the program, students will:

• Work collaboratively within a teaching team
• Learn how to present well-planned, structured lessons
• Develop confidence in classroom communication
• Build age-appropriate strategies for engaging younger learners

By investing time in formation now, we ensure our students are well prepared to step into this important ministry with maturity, responsibility, and enthusiasm.

St Mary’s Cathedral 

Year 8 students will be attending an excursion to St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday, 19 October for a guided tour as part of their Religious Education learning. This experience will deepen students’ understanding of Catholic tradition, sacred spaces, and the significance of the Cathedral in the life of the Church. Students are required to bring their own recess, lunch, and a water bottle, as there will be no opportunity to purchase food on the day. 

Volunteers provide tours to assist students understand the significance and importance of the Mother Church of Australia.

Year 8 Sydney Catholic Schools Religious Education Test

In Week 2 of next term, Year 8 students will complete the SCS Religious Education Online Test. The assessment consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that measure students' knowledge and understanding across a broad range of topics taught in Years 7 and 8, providing a clear snapshot of their learning and readiness for future study in Religious Education. Students have been preparing thoroughly by revising key concepts and practising past papers to build confidence for the test.