Especean

Faith, Justice and Formation

Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence

Yesterday saw the celebration and presentation of all the Archbishop’s Award recipients at St Mary’s Cathedral. It is with pleasure that we proclaim that the St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, Archbishop of Sydney Award for Student Excellence for 2025 goes to Anthony Naim. Below is the citation that was read for him at the ceremony by Year 11 student, Gabriel Azar. This award is focused on commitment to faith and excellence in school, beyond the walls of school and within the student’s parish. Congratulations Anthony! We are very proud of you!

 

Citation:

Anthony Naim is an authentic and enthusiastic young man of faith. He is the College’s Social Justice Prefect, leading the Social Justice Action Group. He is also an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion he leads the weekly Rosary group and actively participates in liturgical celebrations. He is an advocate for justice issues, was part of the College’s Inaugural Fiji Immersion to learn about the effects of climate change and travelled to Portugal for World Youth Day in 2023. 

He is academically gifted, a humble student and participates fully in the College’s Co-Curricular life. His commitment to faith is reflected in his weekly attendance at Mass and involvement in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Concord. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he was responsible for livestreaming his parish’s masses. He is also actively involved in preparing the Holy Week liturgies. Anthony truly lives his faith through word and deed.

Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders 

EREBB is the gathering of all Edmund Rice schools from around the world, in the pursuit of peace, justice and advocacy. There are many initiatives undertaken and many connections made, reminding us that we belong to a global network. There are approximately 15 clusters of schools worldwide, and St Patrick’s College’s cluster includes schools in Canberra, India, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. The principles and guidelines of our connection include global dialogue, Edmund Rice Networks, leadership, spirituality, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Students in Junior School Justice (JSJ), the Faith in Action Team (FIAT) and the Social Justice Action Group (SJAG) will be involved in these interactions, with the possibility of others being invited to attend. This afternoon, six of our Student Leaders will be in an online conversation with students from Australia, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sierre Leone and Tanzania, hearing from the special guest, Br John Casey, cfc who is the Global Congregational Leader for the Christian Brothers. No doubt they will learn a lot and have much to share from this interaction.

 

This Friday at the Senior School assembly, we will hear from a member of Edmund Rice Ministries in Nairobi, Kenya, Samuel Karanga, who is visiting to share his experiences of the impact of the work of the Christian Brothers and their ministries, showcasing how we can be involved.

There is a lot going on in this space, and we are part of it. This connection helps us live out the Edmund Rice charism in our daily lives, hopefully guiding our students to live lives with purpose and about giving back rather than just seeking personal gain alone. A global network is a powerful way to make positive change for a better world for all.

SOL Service / Volunteering Opportunity

We have been invited to help Vinnies Vans (St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol) raise money at an NRL game on Friday 5 September. It will be the Rabbitohs v Roosters match taking place at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park. We need 10 students from 4:30 PM to 8:45 PM to collect money in donations buckets and have the opportunity to watch the game at the Vinnies Vans Community Corner. Videos showcasing the work of Vinnies Vans will be shown at the match that night, helping people see the impact they have. So many of you contribute to all of this through your donations of food, making sandwiches, and going out with the vans. A Team Vinnies jersey and hat will be supplied to all volunteers to wear on the evening.

 

Volunteers must be 16 and over. If in Year 10, this will count for SOL Service. If in Years 11 or 12, this is simply a great way to contribute to the community while supporting the footy, as both of these clubs have a real connection to the Vinnies Vans. If your son (or you as a student) are keen please email me at gillian.daley@spc.nsw.edu.au by this Friday 29 August, 3:00 PM.

Fathers’ Day Mass and Morning Tea Invitation – Final RSVP

Below is the original invitation to the Fathers’ Day Masses from the Especean. The final RSVP date is next Tuesday, 2 September. The number of responses at this point would indicate that we need to combine the two masses due to a lack of interest, thus limiting seating. We really need everyone to work with us by indicating attendance, as we aim to create a special occasion for you.

 

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The College’s Fathers’ Day Masses will take place on Friday 5 September at the College Gymnasium. All fathers, grandfathers and father figures are welcome to celebrate with their sons. (No mothers, siblings outside of SPC or others.)

 

Due to space restrictions, there are two Masses based on Houses, which are rotated each for fairness. If you cannot make your allocated Mass, we hope you can make it next year and that you can enjoy Mass with your sons in your parishes on Sunday 7 September. (We cannot switch people around sorry.)

 

  • 7:45 AM Mass is for families in Hanrahan, Hickey and Rice.

  • 9:30 AM Mass is for families in Berg, Coghlan and Crichton.

 

If you would like to do a reading or be a Eucharistic Minister or take on another role, please indicate on the form below by Monday 25 August at the latest.

 

All fathers and father figures are invited to a Morning Tea hosted by the P&F at 8:45 AM between the two Masses. Venue to be advised.

 

Could you RSVP at this link so we can collate numbers for seating, communion, and morning tea please?

 

SPC Fathers' Day Mass and Morning Tea 2025.

 

On a related matter, I suggest you consider public transport or being dropped off on the day.

 

We look forward to celebrating this special relationship with you on the day and thank the modelling of our fathers as we aim to form the best young men possible.

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For those who ordered Fathers’ Day gifts they will be available for collection by the students this Thursday, 28 August. Boys will be emailed with details.

 

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity