Hope at St. Joseph's College

This year, we have celebrated the theme of Hope through various communal rituals, Masses, and house gatherings, reminding us of the light that faith brings, even in the simplest of moments. We gathered at St Mary’s Church as house groups to celebrate our house patrons, and we were grateful to have Father Novie generously share his time with us to lead these celebrations. Our house groups also gathered together at Kildare Campus this year to celebrate and be together. These student-led liturgies allowed further connections and friendships to form among students, helping to build house pride.

A key manifestation of Hope in our community is the spirit of giving. Through our Foundation Day activities and winter appeals, we have actively lived out this value, sharing with those in need and fostering a culture of generosity. These acts of kindness, driven by compassion and solidarity, have made Hope tangible in the lives of many. Our Year 9 students were blessed to spend time with Sr. Brigid Arthur from the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) this year. Sr. Brigid shared her story and the work that BASP does in the community. This supported our students in connecting their efforts and empowered them to take action and impact change.

Hope for a future filled with endless possibilities provided the impetus this year for our celebration of the Season of Creation. Our students took up this challenge by organizing the St Joseph’s Op Shop. We had an enormous response from our community, engaging in sustainable fashion. During this time, our staff reflected on the Earth Care goals and began working towards refining our plan of action.

We also find Hope in the smaller, everyday moments—in the classroom, as we witness students embrace new challenges, and in our relationships, where the strength of our connections provides support and encouragement. Whether through trying something new or simply being there for one another, we continue to build a community of Hope, where each member plays a role in lifting others up and creating a positive environment for all.

This ongoing journey of Hope reminds us that it is not only in grand gestures but also in the quiet, consistent efforts of learning, giving, and supporting that we see the true power of this theme. We are reminded by Pope Francis that “Education is, above all, an act of hope in those before us, in their possibilities to change.”