Faith & Identity

My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. (St Paul writing to the faithful in Philippi: Philippians 3:17)

It's that time of year again when our senior VCE students finish the normal class pattern and enter the exam period. Many of our Year 12 students, and a good number of our Year 11 students, will be focusing on who they need to be so they can experience the joy of meeting the challenge of exams. Our VCE music students have already commenced exams, just as our VET/VM students have completed all their coursework and assessments. We must remember the many pathways at SPC. Importantly, I am confident the entire SPC community is keeping all students in their prayers.

However, before the ‘exam storm’ comes the peace and reflection of our Annual Thanksgiving Mass. Our community, students, families, and staff gathers in St Patrick’s Cathedral to unite in our thanks to God for all the gifts of this year.  Every good gift and every perfect gift our students have enjoyed comes from our God, who is love. All gifts are bestowed from the God who lights up our intellects with eternal truth, rewards us with a clear conscience in our pursuit of the good: through all the development and changes of the students over their time at SPC, there is our loving God, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (c.f. James 1:17), the Eternal Constant. Not just at the end of the year, but always, let us encourage our young men to have the words of St Paul before them:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

I would like to offer thanks to those who, possessing a wide range of different gifts according to the grace given to each of us by God (c.f. Romans 12:6), generously contribute to the success of our Thanksgiving Mass. 

• The Maintenance Team: Luke Geddes, Will Cousens, Glenn Skyrme, Thomas Swan, and Sean Willmott. These men are a constant support throughout the year to the Faith and Identity Team. 

• Peter Shawcroft and Pat Murphy (The AV Team) for technical expertise 

• Matt Miller, Head of Senior School, and Year 12 Year Level Leaders, Shane Murphy and Chris Gleeson, 

• Year 12 Homeroom Teachers: Carly Twaits, Ganisha Doma, Howard Clark, Jennifer Casey, Sue-Ellen Jirik, Mitch Leviston, Daniel Willey, and Nathan Geoghan.

• All the teachers who attended on the evening 

• Tanya Drake, Nyarth Yanwei, and their team for the bountiful supper.

• Mark Mclean for his specialist skills and generous heart  

• Majella Muller and new Student Council for the music, expertly assisted by Helen Lee and Mitch Leviston 

• The Year 12 students and their families  

• Fr Eladio Lizada OSJ for his constant witness to the love of God 

• Andrew Chamings and Brendan Monaghan for their wisdom and insight

• Ebony Corden, who watches over all things with joy and precision.  

Gracious God, we pray for unity of heart, mind, and soul in the St Patrick’s College community. Bless our students and teachers with a shared desire to learn your truth and goodness. Help us to grow in our shared sense of purpose, to support each other’s efforts, and to grow in the way of love. May St Patrick’s College continue to be a place where knowledge and friendship flourish. Amen.