Faith and Mission
Indigenous Culture
‘Warami Mittigar’ – which means “Hello friends... welcome!” in the local Darug language.
Exciting Indigenous Cultural Initiatives Underway at St Luke’s
Over the past FEW weeks, our Indigenous student leaders have been working hard to transform ideas into real initiatives that celebrate culture and community. One exciting project to watch for is the launch of the School Totem Project survey—WEEK 7! We’re inviting all students and staff to have their say in selecting a meaningful totem that will represent our St Luke’s community. The chosen totem will be announced on Friday 13 June.
Friday 13 June will also be a special day of cultural celebration, as we welcome Dalmarri, a group of Indigenous artists based on Darug Land. Dalmarri specialises in Aboriginal art, culture, and education, and works with schools and organisations to foster cultural awareness through art and storytelling. On the day, students will participate in yarning circles and collaborative cultural painting, alongside invited guests and community members.
Stay tuned for more details and a full recap of this important event in our Week 9 edition of The Net!
Student Reflection: Indigenous Veterans Day Service
Last Friday, myself, Lachlan, Karli, and Ms B. Wick had the honour of attending the Indigenous Veterans Day service in Hyde Park. It was an amazing experience that brought together students from many different high schools and primary schools to recognise and pay tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.
During the service, we learned about the experiences of Indigenous soldiers—the bravery they showed during times of war and the challenges they faced when returning home, often without the recognition or support they deserved. It was both moving and eye-opening to hear these stories and understand the sacrifices made by these courageous individuals.
Being part of this day reminded us of the importance of acknowledging all who have served and continuing to walk the path of reconciliation. It was a privilege to represent St Luke’s at such a meaningful event.
A big thank you to Ms Wick for accompany students on the day
Faith and Formation
Formation
Stage 5 Lifted Event
The LIFTED Unleashed event, facilitated by Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP), was an uplifting and energising experience for our Stage 5 students. This event offered a meaningful space for students to engage with their faith through music, testimony, and open discussion.
From the moment the day began, there was a tangible sense of joy and community. The live music created an atmosphere of celebration, while the personal testimonies shared by young speakers resonated deeply with our students. Their stories were powerful reminders of God’s presence in the everyday and the transformative impact of faith in the lives of young people.
The small group discussions allowed students to reflect more personally, express their thoughts freely, and listen to the experiences of others. Many students commented on how refreshing it was to be in a space where faith could be explored authentically and openly with their peers.
Overall, LIFTED Unleashed was not only a celebration of Catholic identity, but also an invitation for students to deepen their relationship with God and consider how they can live out their faith in a real and relevant way.
Student FIAT Group
Last week, we held the first meeting of our student FIAT team – Faith in Action – bringing together students who participated in the various LIFTED events held throughout the term. This passionate group gathered to reflect on their experiences and brainstorm ways to bring their faith to life through meaningful action within our school community. The students shared thoughtful ideas for initiatives that will help strengthen our culture of service, prayer, and social justice here at St Luke’s. We look forward to seeing these student-led projects come to life in the coming months.
St Luke’s Environmental Day – Friday, 6th June
Today, friday June 6 St Luke’s celebrated the Environment. Our YCS student group put together a series of activities aimed at all year groups of the school. We hope to provide a reflection of the day in our next addition of The Net.
LiturgyOn Friday, 23 May 2025, students from the Year 11 Band attended a Liturgical Music Masterclass hosted at St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown. The masterclass was delivered by Tony Alonso, a renowned liturgical music composer from the United States.
The event brought together students from schools across all NSW dioceses for a meaningful day of prayer, reflection, and singing. Tony shared his deep understanding of liturgical music, highlighting its purpose in worship and the importance of involving the entire congregation.
Inspired by the experience, students returned with a renewed enthusiasm and are eager to implement some of Tony’s insights in their own school liturgies.
Students Celebrate Their First Mass with Fr Gayan
Students from the School of Foundations and the School of Leadership recently had the special opportunity to attend their first Mass, celebrated by Fr Gayan. The participating classes—Riley, Acutis, Gringotts, Magicians, and Diagons—embraced the experience with reverence and enthusiasm. Through scripture readings, liturgical responses, and sacred music, students were able to actively engage in the celebration and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. It was a meaningful moment for students to grow spiritually and appreciate the richness of the Mass as a central part of our tradition.
Social Outreach
Social Justice Focus - Term 2 - Caring for our Environment
WASTE FREE WEDNESDAYS - Social Justice Initiative
In alignment with Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to care for our common home, we have introduced ‘Waste Free Wednesdays’. This initiative encourages students to bring lunches free from single-use plastics, fostering environmental stewardship and reflecting our Catholic values.
Each Wednesday, we’re encouraging all students and staff to bring waste-free lunches to help care for our environment.
- That means: Reusable containers Refillable drink bottles Nude food (no wrappers or single-use plastics)
Let’s work together to reduce waste and protect God’s creation.Every small action makes a big difference!
Think Green. Act Clean. Be Waste-Free!
Thank you for your support in making this initiative a success!
Vinnies Van
On Saturday night, St Luke’s Catholic College had the privilege of accompanying three Year 12 students on the Vinnies Van outreach. The experience was both humbling and enriching, as students braved the cold to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of service, compassion, and human dignity.
Throughout the evening, the students demonstrated maturity, empathy, and genuine kindness as they interacted with members of the community experiencing homelessness. They listened attentively, served respectfully, and engaged in meaningful conversations.
It was encouraging to see their willingness to step outside their comfort zones and connect with people from different walks of life.
The experience also provided an important opportunity for the students to reflect on the call to serve others. It was a reminder that true service is not only about meeting material needs but also about being present, listening, and showing faith in action.
We’re incredibly proud of the way these students represented our school and our values. This night left a lasting impression on all of us, and we hope it continues to inspire their commitment to social justice and service.
Australian Red Cross
St Luke’s has partnered with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to provide members of our community the opportunity to donate blood. From August 12-16th the mobile van will be parked at Marsden Park Bunnings to accept donations. Members of our community aged 18+ can join the St Luke’s team and donate blood on these dates. This opportunity will be available every three months, as this is the maximum frequency that you can donate. For more information or to join the St Luke’s team, please email Martyn Ellis at mellis3@parra.catholic.edu.au
Year 11 Visit to MacKillop House: Building Intergenerational Connections
This week, a group of our Year 11 students had the privilege of visiting MacKillop House in Baulkham Hills, a residential aged care facility run by Catholic Healthcare. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in intergenerational connection and service, living out our school’s commitment to compassion and community.
During their time at MacKillop House, students participated in a lively game of Bingo, shared conversations with the residents, and brought smiles through simple acts of kindness and presence. The experience allowed students to listen to the stories and wisdom of the older generation while offering companionship and joy in return.
This visit not only fostered empathy and respect but also deepened the students' understanding of how faith can be lived through service to others. We look forward to continuing this relationship and providing more opportunities for our students to grow as faith-filled and socially conscious young people.
From the St Luke’s Parish Community
You're Invited!St Luke’s 3rd Annual Dinner Dance Fundraiser
Join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, food, and fundraising at our third Annual Dinner Dance!
Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PMLocation: The Performance Hall
This year’s theme: A Taste of Italy
Come solo, with friends, or as a couple and enjoy a delicious Italian-inspired menu, featuring freshly made pasta and wood-fired pizza cooked onsite.
Reserve your tickets today!Email the St Luke’s Fundraising Team to book your spot.
Want to get involved?
- Sponsor the event: Cash donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and go directly toward event costs.
- Volunteer with us: We’re looking for helping hands for setup, food and drink service, and more. If you have an RSA license, we’d love your support.
Contact the St Luke’s Fundraising Team at Stlukesfundraisingteam@gmail.com to donate, volunteer, or find out more.
Let’s make this our best year yet—see you there!
First Holy Communion 2025
The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be celebrated in our Parish on the weekend of 21/22 June.
MINISTRY FORMATION SESSIONS~
We will be holding sessions for the following ministries:
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMOHC): Wednesday, 11 June at 7 pm in the Hub at the school.
- Altar Servers: Wednesday, 18 June at 7.30 pm in the Hub at the school.
These sessions are for all current parish members, those who expressed interest during our recent ministry recruitment drive, and anyone else who would like to get involved. We look forward to seeing you there!
Contact
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
Ged Oblea: marsdenpark@parracatholic.org
Administrative Assistant
Ph: 02 8530 0173 Mobile: 0422 724 160
Website: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.org.au/