Faith and Mission
This week we launched our Christian Service-Learning Program, called Roncalli Service (the family name of Pope John XXlll) for our Years 8-11 students. Our mission at John XXIII College is clear – we seek to be people of competence, conscience and compassion who are committed to God and the service of others. Roncalli Service is more than a checkbox; it’s a practical way our students live out these values. By integrating education, faith, and service, we are helping students develop not just academically but also as caring individuals who want to make a positive impact in our community. Through these experiences, our students are putting into action what it truly means to be competent, conscientious, and compassionate in their commitment to God and the service of others.
As parents and guardians, we invite you to foster a culture of compassion and service at our College by discussing what activities your child might engage with, signing their Action Plan and encouraging active participation in Roncalli Service.
Our Year 7 students will begin their Roncalli Service later in the year. On Wednesday, they started their St Omer experience with a Reflection Day run by 24:7 on the theme of a ‘Community in Christ'. They explored how their family and school community can form a foundation upon which they can live and share their lives in the service of Christ.
Janeen Murphy
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission
Vale Father Wayne Davis
On Wednesday the College was represented at the funeral Mass of Father Wayne Davis. At Saint Mary’s Cathedral Perth, the Archbishop, assisted by clergy from the diocese, gave thanks for the life and ministry of Father Wayne.
Father Wayne passed away in Hollywood Hospital on Sunday, 11 February, following a short illness.
A large number of families in the College will have known Father Wayne as the Parish Priest of Floreat and Claremont parishes. Many students across Primary and Secondary will have been confirmed by Father Wayne. Similarly, many students will remember Father Wayne’s part in celebrations of their First Communion or Reconciliation.
Father Wayne will be greatly missed by faithful parishioners, his friends and his family. May he rest in peace.
Vale, Father Wayne.
Community Mass
Thank you to Year 10 students who prepared this morning’s liturgy. Although the College Community Mass does not take the place of the weekend Eucharist in parishes, we proclaimed the readings of the Second Sunday of Lent in anticipation of the Mass of this Sunday (or Saturday evening). During the Season of Lent, the Church gives us some particularly rich readings from Scripture, and these will be included in our community celebrations of the Eucharist Each Friday.
Next Friday, students in Year 8 will take on the preparation and look forward to seeing Year 8 students, families and friends. Not only Year 8, but all in our community are warmly invited to gather for the liturgy. If you are new to the College or have not attended Community Mass before, just come to the Chapel for an 8:00 start – there are no reserved seats. After Mass the conversation continues over coffee in the café!
Community Mass details:
- College Chapel
- Fridays in term time
- Starts: 8:00am and concludes 8:30am
Do you have a child in Years 3, 4 or 6?
Parishes have begun enrolling for their Sacrament Programs and parents are encouraged to enrol their child in their ‘home’ parish.
The program is family-focused, parish-based, Catholic school-supported. This means that parents are respected as first educators in the faith of their children.
The family is supported by the College Religious Education program. In Year 3, students are taught the content for First Reconciliation; in Year 4, the content for First Holy Communion and in Year 6, the content for Confirmation. Students celebrate these sacraments in their parish.
Each Parish has a unique Sacrament program. As they become available, details from the parishes located nearest to the College will be updated on the College website.
Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so don’t be afraid to ask:
- Your parish priest or Sacrament Coordinator
- The Archdiocesan website;
- Email Mary-Anne Lumley or phone on 08 9383 0513.
Season of Lent
There are 6 Sundays in Lent and, every year on the second Sunday, the Church offers us an account of Jesus’ transfiguration – this year from the Gospel of Mark. Michael McGirr from Caritas Australia gives us a reflection for this gospel passage.
When Jesus took his closest friends to the top of a high mountain, they experienced something quite extraordinary. The transfiguration gave them a glimpse of what it meant for Jesus to be the son of God. It is hardly surprising that Peter said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here.’ The Gospel also tells us that Jesus’ friends were frightened, and this is also easy to understand. They were overwhelmed. Nevertheless, it’s not long before Jesus reminds them that he is destined to die. His friends must come down from the mountain and walk with Jesus through all the ordinary and arduous days and weeks that lie ahead.
We can all say ‘it is wonderful for us to be here’ no matter where that happens to be. Life is full of wonder. That doesn’t mean it is always easy. We live in the arms of a very deep mystery. God’s love enfolds us.
Throughout Lent, we are called to support Project Compassion, an initiative of Caritas Australia. This year, Project Compassion celebrates 60 years of partnership with some of the most marginal communities in the world. With your help, we have walked alongside literally millions of people in dozens of countries.
This week we encounter the story of Ronita who lives in Quezon City, part of metro Manila in the Philippines. Becoming a mother at a young age meant that her schooling was cut short. Her husband, Lean, leaves for work at 3am and returns at 9pm, earning less than $US10 per day in a demanding job in waste disposal. On such a small income, Ronita and Lean, along with two young children, are able to rent a room of about 10 square metres.
With your help through Project Compassion, Caritas Australia has been able to support the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to run the Alternative Learning System program. This program has meant that Ronita has been able to continue her education. The FCJ sisters provide a safe space for many young people such as Ronita to finish school and find better jobs. Ronita has had the opportunity to change her life.
Caritas Australia believes that the world can be transfigured to become more like the kingdom of God of which Jesus spoke. We can encounter people whom others choose to ignore. When we do so, we discover that here too are children of God. We are asked to listen to them.
© Michael McGirr for Caritas Australia