Catholic Identity & Mission News

Lent has begun! The College’s Ash Wednesday liturgies were held in House groups on Wednesday morning and staff and students were challenged to ‘Unite against poverty this Lent’. For those unfamiliar with Lent, it is the 40-day period of preparation for Easter, the most sacred time on the Christian calendar. Our Social Justice groups, Ministry classes and Clyde North House Groups in particular, are gearing up for their fund raising and awareness raising efforts for Caritas Australia’s annual ‘Project Compassion’ campaign. 

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s major fundraising campaign, held annually over Lent. Last year alone, Caritas assisted nearly 3 million people across 36 countries (including Australia!). Their work involves not only responding to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and fires, but also in helping communities address chronic issues such as food scarcity and unstable water supplies. There is a wealth of further information at caritas.org.au/project-compassion , and you can also donate online at this site!

On Tuesday, I was privileged to accompany Ms Melanie Bell (Social Justice Coordinator – CLN) and six of our student leaders, Stella Ploudias, James Cortese, Clara Matters-Jara, Selena Saldanha, Vichit Kan Vong and Michelle Muchai, as we attended the launch of Project Compassion in the Diocese of Sale, at Mary MacKillop College, Leongatha. There we heard from Sally Murphy from Caritas Australia and Bishop Greg Bennet about the challenging and important work of Caritas, and our obligation to follow the example of our loving God, Jesus, in using our time, talents and resources to lift up those in need. We were then able to meet with other school leaders to share ideas and experiences and socialise! Our St Peter’s College students were a credit to their families and our College in the way they presented themselves. They were friendly and outgoing and judging from the positive compliments I received about them, inspired others that they were trying to ‘be the reason for the hope’ in their commitment to the cause and in their interactions with others. My sincere thanks to them for their strong and cheerful leadership, especially on this day. 

On Monday, March 3, we farewelled Sr Julie Ogbole at her requiem mass at St Thomas the Apostle. My fellow Deputy Principal, Julie Banda, and I were joined by student leaders Anthony Krotwaar, Sharleen Muigai, Selena Saldanha, Lily Agnew, Olo Sanerivi and Zayliah Schwalger, as we represented the College in paying our respects to Sr Julie, her family and the Sisters of the Nativity. Sr Julie was given the most beautiful send-off by a church packed with her many friends including (almost) all of the priests from the Diocese of Sale. Her life was remembered in words, photos, prayer and in the Eucharist, in the most reverent and special way. Our St Peter’s cohort agreed that it was a fitting tribute to Sr Julie, and we felt very privileged to have been a small part of it. 

Bishop Greg presided over the funeral and delivered a warm and moving homily. Almost as soon as I returned to school, I emailed the Bishop’s office and asked for a copy of it. With his permission, I offer excerpts here for your reflection and ask for your continued prayers for Sr Julie, her family in Nigeria and her religious family, the Sisters of the Nativity, especially Srs Faustina, Victoria and Grace who will miss her every day. 

They who trust in him will understand the truth; those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

WISDOM 3: 8

It is only natural that our hearts are sad at the death of Sr Julie. The presence of so many people – young people and not so young – gives testament to the power of her Christian witness. 

All of us can think of moments when in prayer, reflection, sacramental preparation, faith formation, parish and diocesan committees, Sr Julie’s words, actions and inspiration touched us so powerfully. In every aspect of her life, Sr Julie reflected someone close to God. Her intelligence and capacity to convey the richness of the Word and Tradition enabled us to grow in our search for truth. In this year of Jubilee, Sr Julie was a witness of pilgrim hope: The hope who does not disappoint us – Jesus Christ.

Like a good steward, Sr Julie stood ready, her lamp lit, awaiting the Lord. As others kept vigil with her, she awaited the one in whom she had placed her trust. In the days that followed [her prognosis], Sr Julie was carried by love, prayers, presence and visits of thousands. The God who was with her at her first breath was with her in her last. The Sisters of Nativity were there when the angels came to take her to paradise: Sisters in this life, sisters in eternity. 

On this day as we pray for Sr Julie, we take pause to hold and cherish the gifts we saw in her. We take time to think how our lives were enriched by her thoroughly Christian witness: kindness, compassion, mercy, joyfulness, patience, gratitude, faith, hope and above all love. Sr Julie had placed her life in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life: She had claimed him, and in faith we believe, he claimed her, too.

Eternal rest grant unto Sr Julie, O Lord, and let perpetual light shone upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Bishop Greg Bennet, Bishop of the Diocese of Sale. 

Ms Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission