Catholic Identity & Mission News
A very warm welcome to all new and returning students and their families as in 2025, our St Peter’s College community aims to ‘Be the reason for hope’. For our Catholic community, it’s an extra special year too because it’s a ‘Year of Jubilee’! Traditionally celebrated every 25 years, Pope Francis has pronounced 2025 to be a Year of Jubilee with the theme being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. This theme recognises that we are all are on a journey seeking knowledge, connection and meaning in our lives. In a Jubilee year especially, we are invited into the opportunity to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. It is an invitation to renew our hope, a hope which comes from knowing that God loves each one of us, whoever we are.
Pope Francis has asked us to be signs of hope for others, by putting Catholic Social Teaching into action through caring for our common home and supporting our sisters and brothers who are experiencing war, hunger or poverty. At St Peters, we have drawn a fantastic Jubilee connection with our annual theme – ‘Be the reason for hope’! (1Peter 3:15) Voted in by an overwhelming majority by our staff and student leaders in late 2024, this theme is drawn from a longer quote from the First Letter of St Peter in the Christian scriptures.
This is the full quote:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
As we start our new school year, let us draw on our College motto of ‘Be not afraid’ and strive to be the reason for hope in our families, in our school, and in our local and global communities!
An upcoming event for your consideration:
‘Mothers Who Pray for Their Children’ is a Catholic Marian movement that unites mothers in prayer for their children’s well-being, faith, and spiritual growth. With a group currently running in our local parish, St Agatha’s, I pass on their warm invitation to attend their upcoming conference.
“We are excited to invite all mothers in your school community to our 2nd National Conference, taking place on Saturday, 15th February 2025, at the Melbourne Catholic Leadership Centre. This event will be a powerful day of prayer, reflection, and formation, strengthening mothers in their mission of faith and intercession for their children.
This year’s theme, "On the Cross, Reconciliation," will be explored by an inspiring lineup of guest speakers, including:
Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS – Bishop of Port Pirie, SA
Fr. Rob Galea – Priest & Founder of ICON Ministry
Angela Abdo – Foundress & General Coordinator of the Movement
Carol CT – English Mission Coordinator
Salwa Elias – EWTN Producer for Australia & New Zealand
Bookings can be made at www.motherswhoprayfortheirchildren.com or trybooking.com”
Ms Fiona McKenna
Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission