Catholic Identity

Blessing of the Animals & St Francis of Assisi Awards  

• When: Friday, 16th October, 9.15 am (until 10.15 am approx.)  
• Where: Basketball Court  

• Who: Everyone, especially our beloved pets!  

We will celebrate St Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day on Friday, 16th October. A part of the Feast Day celebration will be the Blessing of the Animals. 

We invite our school families to bring along their pets to be blessed. Students can bring along a photo of the pet to be blessed if they are unable to bring along their pet or if their pet has died. It is important to note some safety requirements that we need to be mindful of for our Feast Day celebrations:  

1.  Pets must be on leads and small animals would be best left in their cages for safety 

2.  Parents must remain with pets at all times, especially the larger dogs. Parents are invited to sit with their child and pet amongst the class group.  

3.  We ask that large dogs are kept to the edge of our gathering area around the basketball court. Your child can sit with you.  

4.  All pets are to be taken home at the conclusion of the awards.  

Following the Blessing of Animals, the St Francis of Assisi Awards are presented to two recipients from each year level. One boy and one girl will be recognised for their work in emulating the charism of St Francis throughout the year. Each student will receive an award and a beautiful citation written by their teacher to illustrate how they live out the Gospel values as St Francis did. We hope to see you all there with your beloved animals. All are welcome!

This year marks 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi, whose life and faith continue to inspire people around the world. Known for his deep love of God, care for the poor, and reverence for all of creation, Francis lived the Gospel with extraordinary simplicity, humility, and joy. His witness reminds us that holiness is found in placing Christ at the centre of our lives and serving others with compassion. 

The legacy of St Francis remains especially significant today as we seek to build communities of peace, kindness, and respect for our common home. As we commemorate this milestone anniversary, we are invited to reflect on his enduring message: to be instruments of God's love, to care for one another, and to recognise the dignity of all creation.

Memorial Service  

On Friday 6th November at 11:45 am, we will hold our Memorial Ceremony at the Memorial Garden. During the ceremony, we will remember and pray for our loved ones who have died and will always hold a special place in our hearts. All are invited to join us for the ceremony. 

Catholic Identity Leader

Dave Waters

Annual St. Luke Mass for Healthcare Workers

Calling all doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and healthcare related workers and students! Our parish will be celebrating our first annual ‘St. Luke Mass for Healthcare Workers’ from 6pm on Tuesday 20 October at St Therese's Church, Kennington. 

This special liturgy honours the dedicated men and women who bring Christ's healing touch to the sick and vulnerable. A special 'Blessing of the Hands' Prayer will take place during the Mass, followed by light refreshments in our Welcome Area. Please join us as we pray for and celebrate your vital ministry of care.