Religious Education News

Wednesday 28th August was the feast of St Augustine who was born in 354 AD in what is now the north African country of Algeria. In his lengthy book called “Confessions”, Augustine tells us that he was influenced to become a Christian when, somehow, he heard God telling him to “take up and read”. Augustine started to read the Bible and discovered God. Augustine wrote these words: “Leave the past to God’s mercy, the present to his love, and the future to his providence.”

Many times we are worried about things that are beyond our control. We allow ourselves to become fixated on past events or events that may not turn out to be as bad as what we think they may be. Augustine, like Jesus, encouraged others to trust in God - Jesus often told his followers not to be afraid. 

Over the last few weeks at O’Connor we have had many opportunities to trust in God’s guidance of our lives and not let our fears overwhelm us. Year 11 students had many opportunities on their recent retreat to live out this teaching, participating in activities like the ‘leap of faith’ when they had to climb up to the top of a 12m pole and step off, trusting that their safety harness would hold, as well as the commando course which showed that whilst we can do many things on our own, we can do much, much more when we trust in others around us.

Our faith life at O’Connor has continued to be very busy, with our regular Wednesday Masses (welcome back Fr Anthony!), ongoing assistance to the Catechists program in the state schools in Armidale (thank you Year 10!), Year 11 retreat (thank you Bridie Giles for all your work there!) and preparation for the Vinnies Winter Appeal sleepout which will take place on Friday 20th September (thank you Mrs Leggatt and the Vinnies team!). Year 10 students will soon have the opportunity to apply for positions as Lasallian Youth Leaders in 2025, an important stage in their progress into life as senior students at O’Connor. It’s fantastic to see the interest displayed by students in going those extra steps to give back something to the community that has given them so much.

As the weather warms up and we move into Spring, we are reminded that we are daily coming closer to the Church season of Advent, the beginning of a new Church year, with all the promises that it holds. We look forward to a hope-filled future, trusting in God’s providence, and do not fear about what might be (and often never happens!). 

In the words of John Baptiste de La Salle: Do not have any anxiety about the future, But leave everything in God's hands, For God will take care of you.

Mr Andrew May

Religious Education Coordinator

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Please see the times for Parish Masses in celebration of the Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses will be held on the Thursday at 7am and 12 noon in the Our Lady of Angels (OLA) Chapel adjacent to the CSO. 

Our Founders - St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Keeping in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral Parish is easy through their website and Facebook pages.

With such a difficult year and a half it has been harder for parishioner's to give to the parish through the plates, particularly when the church is closed as it is at present. The Parish account details are available on the Parish bulletin. 

Cathedral Parish Website

Information about our founders

La Salle Website

Ursuline Sisters Website