Catholic Identity

Pentecost  

Last Sunday, the Church celebrated Pentecost, often known as the birthday of the Church. Pentecost marks the time when the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus, giving them the courage and strength to continue his mission and share the message of God’s love with others.

As a Catholic school, Pentecost is an important reminder of who we are called to be. We are invited to be people of faith, hope and action, living out the Gospel through kindness, compassion, forgiveness and service to others. It reminds us that the Church is not just a building, but a community of people guided by the Holy Spirit.

At St Mary’s, this message is especially meaningful. In a time of change, we continue to draw strength from our faith, from one another, and from the spirit of community that has always been at the heart of our school. Pentecost reminds us that even in difficult times, we are called to stay united, support one another and continue to bring light and hope to those around us.

Sorry Day Liturgy 

This week, our students took part in a prayer liturgy to acknowledge National Sorry Day. This provided an opportunity for students to learn about an important day in Australia’s history and to reflect in a respectful and age-appropriate way.

National Sorry Day is held each year on 26 May. The first National Sorry Day was held in 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament. The report documented the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were removed from their families under past government policies.

As a Catholic school, we value opportunities for students to learn about truth, respect, justice and reconciliation. Our students participated thoughtfully in the liturgy and continued to develop their understanding of this important part of Australia’s story.