Faith and Mission
St Luke's Catholic College
Indigenous Culture
‘Warami Mittigar’ – which means “Hello friends... welcome!” in the local Darug language.
As our 2026 Year 12 Indigenous student leaders have just finished their journey at St Luke’s Catholic College, we would like to acknowledge the important contributions they have made to our College community. They helped strengthen our Indigenous culture and identity, and we are proud to continue the work they have started.
As the new group of Indigenous student leaders, we are excited to take on this responsibility and build on their achievements. We are determined to continue celebrating and sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, creating opportunities for all students to learn, connect and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives.
Our goal is to ensure that all initiatives are not just one-off projects but become a lasting part of St Luke’s. Some will take time to develop, while others we hope to introduce over the coming terms.
We are grateful to the Year 12 leaders who have paved the way for us and look forward to continuing their legacy while bringing our own ideas and contributions to the College.
We are proud of our culture, proud to be Indigenous student leaders and excited about what we can achieve together at St Luke’s.
Karli Pankhurst
On behalf of the Senior Indigenous Students
Faith and Formation
Liturgy
Parish Mass - During Weeks 1–3, Kindergarten and Year 11 students attended their Parish Masses, marking the conclusion of our class Masses for the year. Kindergarten students enthusiastically participated by reading the Prayers of the Faithful and asking Father Gayan thoughtful questions about the Mass, deepening their understanding of our Catholic faith and liturgical traditions.
In Midday Prayer, our new Year 12 leaders began learning how to lead prayer with the support and guidance of our experienced Year 4 and Year 8 leaders. Students worked collaboratively, sharing their knowledge and supporting one another to ensure that Midday Prayer is led with reverence, respect and response. These experiences continue to strengthen our students’ confidence, leadership and commitment to creating meaningful prayer experiences for our school community.
The Liturgical Ensemble and Choir sees students expressing great excitement about new opportunities to share their musical talents through singing and worship. The choir and newly formed Liturgical Ensemble provide students with meaningful opportunities to use their musical gifts to support liturgies, strengthen our faith community, and share their love of music. Following student requests, there is also a growing interest in recess Open Mic performances, allowing students to share their talents in a more informal setting and bring music and community together beyond the classroom.
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Term 4
Fr Gayan has kindly made himself available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am until Week 9, with the final opportunity on Wednesday, 9 December.
This opportunity is available to all students in Years 3–12 who have made their First Reconciliation.
Students wishing to participate are asked to register their interest through this Google Form. Parents and carers of students in Years 3 and 4 are welcome to complete the form on their child's behalf.
We encourage students to take this opportunity to experience God's love, forgiveness and mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Christmas Carols 2027 - Save the Date!!
Mark your calendars! Our annual St Luke’s College and Parish Christmas Carols will be held on Friday 4 December 2026, commencing at 5:30 pm, gates open at 5 pm..
This special evening is a wonderful opportunity for our Parish and College communities to come together to celebrate the joy, hope and true meaning of Christmas.
Our students are already busy practising and preparing for their performances, and we look forward to seeing them share their musical talents with our community. Through music, song and the sharing of the Christmas story, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on the message of love, peace and hope that Christmas brings.
The evening is also an opportunity for families, students, staff and parishioners to come together, strengthen connections and enjoy the wonderful sense of community that makes St Luke’s so special.
We warmly invite all families to join us for what promises to be a joyful evening of Christmas celebrations. Please save the date, with further details about the evening to be shared closer to the event.
Faith In Action
Vinnies Van
Throughout the year, staff from across the College, alongside Stage 6 students, have participated in the Vinnies Van , volunteering on Saturday evenings once a term in Mt Druitt and Parramatta. This initiative provides a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to put their faith into action by living out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly Human Dignity, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, and Solidarity.
Through serving food, sharing conversations and listening to the stories of those experiencing hardship, students and staff move beyond simply learning about Catholic Social Teaching to actively living it. These encounters encourage participants to recognise the dignity of every person, develop empathy and compassion, and understand their responsibility to respond to the needs of others.
This Saturday night, we once again have students and staff heading out into the community to serve the people of Parramatta, generously giving their time to support those experiencing hardship. Their willingness to participate reflects a genuine commitment to living their faith through service, compassion and meaningful connections with others.
The Vinnies Van experience reinforces that faith is not simply something we believe, but something we are called to live through our actions. By giving their time, building genuine relationships and accompanying those experiencing vulnerability, students and staff demonstrate Christ's call to love and serve others, contributing to a more just, inclusive and compassionate community.
Music Therapy
This term, our Stage 4 students have continued to build meaningful relationships and friendships with the residents of Marsden Park Care Community (MPCC) through their regular visits. Students have been enthusiastically learning and practising a range of songs in preparation for the upcoming MPCC Spring Fair and end-of-year Christmas concert.
This initiative provides a wonderful opportunity for students to put their faith into action, demonstrating kindness, compassion, respect and inclusion through their interactions with residents. It reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principles of Solidarity, Human Dignity and the Common Good, as students recognise the importance of connecting with others, building relationships across generations and ensuring everyone feels valued and included.
Through these shared experiences, students are learning that living their faith is about more than words. It is about being present, bringing joy to others and making a positive difference in their community.
Both students and residents are looking forward to sharing their musical talents and celebrating the friendships they have developed at these special community events.
Christmas Hampers
As Christmas approaches, our St Luke’s Catholic College community is once again preparing to support the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal, helping individuals and families experiencing hardship during the Christmas season.
This annual initiative provides a wonderful opportunity for our students and families to Live the Good News by putting their faith into action through generosity, compassion and service to others. It also reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principles of Human Dignity, Solidarity and the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, reminding us of our responsibility to care for those in need.
As in previous years, each year group and stage will be allocated specific items to contribute towards the Christmas hampers. Families will receive further information about the items their children are encouraged to donate, along with collection dates and arrangements.
Through our collective generosity, we hope to make Christmas a little brighter for families in our wider community.
We thank our St Luke’s families for their continued kindness and generosity, and for helping us share the hope, love and joy of Christmas with those who need it most.
St Mary MacKillop Faith in Action Award Program
Throughout 2026, fourteen students from Years 8 and 10 have been participating in the St Mary MacKillop Faith in Action Award Program. This initiative encourages young people to follow in the footsteps of St Mary MacKillop by putting their faith into action through meaningful experiences of service, outreach and advocacy.
Our ten Year 10 students are working towards the Gold Award, while four Year 8 students are working towards the Silver Award. Throughout the year, these students have demonstrated a wonderful commitment to helping others and making a positive difference in their community.
Students have participated in a wide variety of activities, including visiting residents at local aged care facilities, taking part in music therapy sessions at Marsden Park Care Community, preparing sandwiches for the Vinnies Van, volunteering on the Vinnies Van Night Patrol, assisting with Jeans for Genes Day, participating in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout and contributing to our school's Young Christian Students (YCS) group.
A particular highlight for some of our Gold Award students was Outreach Week, held during the final week of Term 3. This diocesan initiative provided students with opportunities to step outside their usual environment and encounter people from different walks of life. The program featured three immersion experiences: Cana Farm, where students volunteered in farm activities and engaged with members of the community; the Street Retreat in Sydney's CBD, where students visited organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness and learned about the challenges they face; and the Ephpheta Centre, where students engaged with members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community. These experiences encouraged students to develop empathy, challenge assumptions and recognise the dignity of every person.
This week, nine of our Mary MacKillop Award students are also participating in the Faith in Action Encounter Day at CathWest Innovation College, Mount Druitt. Working with Jesuit Refugee Service and Jesuit Social Services, students will explore the experiences of refugees and other vulnerable members of our community, deepen their understanding of social justice and consider how they can become advocates for positive change.
As the program approaches its conclusion for 2026, we congratulate our participating students on their dedication, compassion and willingness to serve others. Their efforts reflect the spirit of St Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods, who encouraged the Sisters of Saint Joseph to respond actively to the needs of those around them.
Through their actions, these young people are demonstrating that faith is not simply something we learn about, but something we are called to live each day.
YCS:
Our YCS students have resumed their collaborative journey, with the newly appointed Year 7 leaders enthusiastically taking the initiative. They are exploring ways to expand the team, raise awareness of homelessness, and plan meaningful activities guided by the 'See, Judge, Act' approach, turning reflection into compassionate action.
From our Parish Community…
ALL SAINTS & ALL SOULS DAY MASSES
The Solemnity of All Saints will be celebrated at all weekend Masses on 31 October and 1
November. All Souls Day Mass will be celebrated on Monday, 2 November at 6.30pm, as we remember and pray for all the faithful departed.
Parish Pilgrimage – Jubilee Year of St Francis
As part of the special Jubilee Year of St Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, our parish warmly invites all parishioners to participate in a special pilgrimage to Good Shepherd Church, Plumpton, administered by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our parish community to come together in prayer, reflection and fellowship as we celebrate the life and legacy of St Francis.
Pilgrimage Details
- Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
- Location: Good Shepherd Church, Plumpton
- Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Program
- 11:00 – 11:30 am: Rosary
- 11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Reconciliation / Novena Prayers to St Francis
- 12:05 – 12:45 pm: Mass
- 12:45 – 1:30 pm: Shared light lunch
RSVP: Parishioners are invited to register their attendance using the sign-up sheets available after weekend Masses or by contacting the Parish Office.
We encourage all parishioners to join us for this special celebration of faith and community.
Parish Contacts
Should you need to contact the St Luke’s Parish Community, the contact details follow here:
Fr Gayan Thamel: gayan.thamel@parracatholic.org
Parish Priest
For general inquiries and sacramental process details:
Ged Oblea: ged@stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au
Parish Secretary
Ph: (02) 7261-0246.
Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/