Faith, Justice and Formation

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Launch

Last Friday the whole College gathered around Breen Oval to celebrate First Nations culture, commit ourselves to reconciliation and launch the College’s RAP, which has been developed over the past couple of years by a team of staff, parents, and community members. We were blessed that the rain held off so we could be together and experience the powerful smoking ceremony led by an Old Boy of Christian Brothers’ High School, Lewisham, and the cultural dances graciously shared with us by students from the same school, under the guidance of Blake Griffiths. Our First Nations students and their families, as well as members of the RAP Committee and the College’s Identity Committee took centre stage on the oval alongside our large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags created by every member of St Patrick’s. 

We heard from Junior School Captain, Marcus Donovan, about his cultural heritage, from Mrs Warsop, our First Nations Facilitator, about the development of our Plan, from senior students about how we can all be involved and from Deputy Principal, Mr Byrne, about how reconciliation is needed ‘now more than ever’, as well as acknowledging country, calling us all into prayer and the RAP being formally presented.

As a nation we still have much to do. It is not just about fixing problems that we were not here to cause, but about righting wrongs because we see the injustices that continue and making sure we don’t cause more problems into the future. Friday was a big step in this direction. Thank-you to everyone who was involved and to the young men who opened their minds and hearts to learn and grow. The RAP can be found on the College’s website.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity

SPC Winter Appeal Thank You 

I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s Winter Appeal – the generosity on display was truly overwhelming and demonstrates the remarkable character of the St Patrick’s College community. By the time we had collected all the donations, the Bangawarra Room was bursting at the seams. These make a huge difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society, especially with the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness and extreme cost of living pressures. Giving people a warm place to sleep and the means to stay clean upholds their self-respect, recognising our Christian calling to affirm the dignity of all people. This year, our donations have been delivered to St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol, the House of Welcome, Jesuit Refugee Services and a domestic violence shelter. We thank our parent volunteers for making the deliveries to these partners as part of their service to the community – Claudia Elia, Monique Ghosn, Lucy Kassis, Elena Sagby, Grace Bogomiagkov, Raja Touma, Grainne Nixon, Sonia Bechara, Tina Vu and Thai Nguyen. Once again, I’d like to thank everyone for their generosity and donations; it really does make a difference. 

Thomas Coorey

Social Justice Prefect

Walk with Christ

Attending the Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession in Sydney was an incredibly moving experience. As we gathered on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the atmosphere was filled with a palpable sense of joy and reverence. The procession wound its way through the bustling streets of Sydney's CBD, transforming the urban landscape into a pathway of spiritual celebration.

The presence of the Eucharist at the heart of this procession brought a profound sense of peace and blessing to everyone present, invoking Christ's benevolent spirit upon the city and its inhabitants. It was a powerful public proclamation of our faith, echoing the words of Pope John Paul II who emphasised the grace and joy that comes with participating in such a reverent act.

The devotion and unity among the faithful were truly inspiring. It was a testament to the vibrant spiritual life within the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, reflecting our collective commitment to honouring the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 

The event not only strengthened our faith but also served as a reminder of the blessings Christ bestows upon our city and our lives. The Walk with Christ was a beautiful fusion of faith and community, leaving us all enriched and spiritually renewed.

Aiden Elias and William Chahin

Year 12 Students