John XXIII College Newsletter

Faith and Mission

This Sunday, November 17, marks the eighth World Day of the Poor, declared by Pope Francis under the theme, 'The prayer of the poor rises up to God.' Taken from the Book of Sirach (cf. Sir 21:5), this theme reminds us of the deep connection between humility, prayer, and compassion. 

 

In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that 'the poor hold a privileged place in God’s heart' and invites us to learn to pray with and for the poor, echoing God’s love and care for those most in need. This call to solidarity is a powerful reminder of our mission to reach out, particularly during this season of giving. 

 

As we prepare for Christmas, let us answer Pope Francis’ call by contributing generously to our school’s Christmas Appeal, which supports LifeLink, Shopfront, and St Vincent de Paul. These organisations provide invaluable support to those struggling with poverty, isolation, and hardship in our local community. 

 

Let us embody the love of Christ this season, as Pope Francis reminds us that 'we are called in every circumstance to be friends of the poor, following in the footsteps of Jesus.' Every contribution, large or small, brings hope and help to those in need. Thank you for your generosity. 

 

Please refer to the Primary and Secondary sections of the newsletter for specific items that are most needed this year. For those preferring to donate directly to LifeLink, donations can be made here: LifeLink | Donate 

 

 

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

 

 

 

 

 

Community Mass

Next week, the liturgy will be prepared by students in Year 7. All are welcome to Community Mass, especially if you are new to the College. After mass, coffee and conversation continues in  the Circle of Friends café.

  • College Chapel
  • Fridays in term time
  • Starts: 8:00am and concludes 8:30am.

A College Anniversary

Today is the 38th anniversary of the blessing of new classrooms at the Mount Claremont Campus of John XXIII College, and the dedication of the College Chapel. Then Archbishop of Perth, William Foley, blessed the building and dedicated the Chapel on 15 November 1986. 

 

For some time before, it had been the dream of Sr Denise Desmarschellier to have a Kindergarten to Year 12 school on a single campus (following the amalgamation of Loreto and Saint Louis Colleges in 1977). With the assistance of a courageous and visionary group, the campus we now know and love came into being.

 

Sr Denise was especially concerned with the architecture and location of the Chapel. While it had been proposed that the Chapel be built on higher ground, towards Heritage Lane, Sr Denise insisted that it needed to be centrally located on the campus – at its heart. The adjacent Chapel Lawn was also intentional as was the box window in the south-east corner where the tabernacle is housed, so that it is visible to the outside. Originally the Chapel bell-tower and cross were visible from all parts of the campus.

 

Sr Denise’s vision for the Chapel interior was that each person ‘felt the chapel had been tailormade for them’, whether they were part of a class, a small group or by themselves. According to the architect, ‘the brief was to create a chapel which could accommodate one person or 400 people in equal comfort so that each felt at one with the chapel’.[1] 

 

The imposing roof interior involved the innovative use of glue-laminated jarrah in a cruciform shape. Both the architect and engineer subsequently won a timber-in-architecture award. For Sr Denise, the use of jarrah was deliberate because it is ‘native to Western Australia and is appropriate in our aims to teach children to appreciate their natural environment’. 

 

Thirty-eight years on, the Chapel remains at the heart of the College and is a place for liturgy, prayer or quiet reflection. At the celebration of the Eucharist on Friday mornings, staff, students, families and friends gather as one – even though the numbers attending may vary. At the Mass this morning, which was prepared by Year 9 students, we honoured the imagination, generosity and hard work of all who dreamt into being this beautiful campus, with its many unique buildings and spaces, and with the Chapel at its heart. 

 

[1] Architect Tony Brand, from Brand Deykin and Hay.

Sacraments

Do you have a child in Years 2, 3 or 5?

Parishes have begun enrolling for their 2025 sacrament programs. Children must be enrolled in a parish program, even though they will be prepared for the sacraments in their Religion classes.

 

Each Parish has their own unique Sacrament program. Information from from some local parishes, including Nedlands and Subiaco is provided below. 

 

NEDLANDS – HOLY ROSARY

Enrolment evening for parents/carers

Friday 7 February, 6:00pm. 

Parish Centre, 45-47 Tyrell Street, Nedlands.

nedlands@perthcatholic.org.au

 

SCARBOROUGH – IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Enrolments close: second week in February.

See here for enrolment information and for details on each of the sacraments.

 

SUBIACO – ST JOSEPH’S

Expressions of interest for the 2025 sacrament program close at the beginning of February.

Further information here.  

elaine.eng@stjosephssubiaco.org.au

 

Parents often have questions about the Sacrament program, so don’t be afraid to ask:

Advent & Christmas

Many families seek out ways to meaningfully celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas together.

 

Some parishes local to the College have shared their Christmas schedule, including ‘children-friendly’ Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve.

 

CITY BEACH – HOLY SPIRIT 

  • Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 6:00pm
  • preceded by carol singing at 5:30pm.

DOUBLEVIEW – OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

  • Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 6:00pm.