Ministry News
A warm welcome to all.
As we move through Term 3, our Catholic Ministry continues to live out the mission entrusted to us by Jesus and inspired by the example of St Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph.
In the coming weeks, we look forward to several important events:
Year 12 Vinnies Sleepout – 21 August Our Year 12 students will spend the night in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness, raising both awareness and funds for the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Community Day – 22 August This year’s focus will be on homelessness, directly linking with our Vinnies Sleepout efforts and calling us to action through Mary MacKillop’s words: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
Trivia Night – 29 August Hosted to support Year 12’s fundraising for St Vincent de Paul, this promises to be a fun and engaging evening, with proceeds going towards those in need. As St Vincent de Paul himself reminded us: “Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another.”
These initiatives align beautifully with the 2025–2026 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement: Signs of Hope on the Edges: Serving Homeless People With Mental Ill-Health. It is a timely reminder that our call to serve extends especially to those who find themselves on society’s margins.
A Prayer for Pilgrims of Hope
O God, Source of all Life,
you created earth as our home
and us in your image, out of love.
Set our hearts astir with that same love,
that we might build a culture of encounter
and systems that justly serve
those living in homelessness
and mental ill-health.
Jesus our Brother,
you noticed those living on the edge,
listened, healed and served them, out of love.
Move us from our embarrassment or discomfort
by those who show us your suffering face.
Instead, may we be taught by them,
offer our loving friendship
and share your good news together.
Holy Spirit, Source of all Hope,
you inspire our relationships
with transforming power, out of love.
Deepen our vision and enlarge our hearts
so that the fear and isolation
of homelessness and mental ill-health
may be countered by love’s warmth and certainty,
that we might walk together as pilgrims of hope.
Amen.
Year 11 Retreat
Meanwhile, Year 11 students are currently away on retreat, preparing themselves to become servant leaders in our community. Guided by our mission statement, they are reflecting deeply on the values of Integrity – Service – Growth, and the call to “Care for justice; act with integrity.”
Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) 2025 – Registrations Now Open
Looking ahead, excitement is building for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) 2025, where young people from across the country will gather to celebrate and grow in their faith. This Jubilee Year of Hope promises to be a powerful encounter for young people across Australia.
We encourage all families to consider this life-changing event for the young people in your lives. Don’t miss out – registrations officially close on 19 September.👉 Register Here
As a community, may we continue to keep our eyes and hearts open to the needs around us, responding with generosity, courage, and the love of Christ.
Vinnie Cooper
Ministry Coordinator