Faith and Family Matters
Prayer for our Fathers
Loving and Merciful God,
We thank You today for the gift of fathers and father figures who reflect Your love, strength, and care in our lives.
Bless all fathers with wisdom to guide their families, patience to nurture with compassion, and courage to lead by faith and example. Fill their hearts with Your peace and help them to grow in holiness as they seek to follow the example of Saint Joseph, faithful guardian of the Holy Family.
Comfort fathers who carry heavy burdens, strengthen those facing challenges, and reward those who sacrifice daily for the good of their children and loved ones. We remember with gratitude fathers who have gone before us into eternal life. May they rest forever in Your loving presence.
Lord, help us to honour and cherish our fathers, showing them love, respect, and appreciation not only today but throughout the year.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Religious Creative Arts Competition 2026
The theme this year was the value of Faith. These submissions were especially selected for their religious capacity to explore and engage with the theme from a religious point of view, as well as their originality of ideas, composition and design elements.
Congratulations to the follow students who are our finalists:
Visual Art Category
Early Stage 1 - Charlie Liang
The disciples were in a boat with Jesus when a big storm came. The waves were very strong. They were scared. They woke up Jesus and he told the waves and the wind to be quiet. The disciples learned that they could trust Jesus when they needed help. When I am frightened, I can have faith in Jesus, too. I say a little prayer.
Stage 1 - Owen Liao
God made our planet for us to live in and He created day and night. Faith to me means believing in Jesus and God. I am a good follower because I try to help others when they need it just like Jesus did. In my artwork I have included the Holy Spirit wo helps me to be kind to others.
Stage 2 - Rohan Aouad
My artwork shows how faith grows and becomes stronger over time. The vine represents growing faith, and its long, winding shape symbolises the journey of faith through life. The tree represents God, who provides strong support, safety, and guidance. Just as the tree supports the vine, God supports our faith and helps it grow. The birds represent trust and faith, believing they will be safe and cared for. The grapes symbolise the fruits of faith, which are the good things that faith brings to our lives and to the world. Together, these parts of the artwork show how God helps our faith grow, supports us on our journey, and inspires us to share goodness with others.
Stage 3 - Junnosuke Kotaki
This painting is based on a real moment that I experienced. It shows a stormy scene with strong winds, heavy rain, dark clouds and a gloomy sky. As the storm continued, a bright beam of sunlight suddenly broke through the clouds, creating a beautiful rainbow that stretched across the sky above the sea. The waves were still moving in the wind, but the sunlight brought a sense of peace and hope. The rainbow and sunlight are important symbols of God’s promise, faith and hope. They remind us that even during difficult times, God is always with us, guiding and supporting us. Just as the sunlight appeared after the storm, God brings hope and light into our lives when we face challenges. The rainbow also reminds us of God’s love and His promises to His people. Through this artwork, I wanted to show that faith helps us trust in God, even when times are difficult because He is always watching over us.
Short Film Category
Stage 2 - Jack Wheeler & Kabir Bargoti
Our movie is about Kabir accidentally tripping Jack down the stairs, but Jack didn't know it was an accident causing a terrible insult fight. A little kid was walking by and he saw the fight, and he went straight to the teacher. Then the teacher asked the boys to apologise to each other, and then the fight came to an end. The faith in this is when the little kid told the teacher and the boys apologised to each other.
Stage 3 - Esmeralda Bergoeing, Solana Garcia & Emma Williamson
When we first read the theme, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” we immediately thought about how difficult it can be to trust the process when you cannot see the outcome. In our short film, A Puzzle, A Puzzle of Faith, we portray three nerdy students attempting to complete a puzzle without a blueprint or a picture on the box. At first, the task is frustrating and confusing. We are faced with what seems like a random pile of puzzle pieces, including one that looks suspiciously like a squashed potato. As the story unfolds, we realise that faith can feel much the same. It is often messy, uncertain, and lacking clear proof or answers. Our film captures the journey from wanting certainty to learning to trust. We wanted to show that faith is not about seeing the whole picture. Instead, it is about having the courage to keep putting the pieces together, trusting that they all have a purpose.
Creative Speech Category
Stage 3 - Noah Tham
This creative speech explains the quote: "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." When I say, “You can’t see the wind, but you believe it’s real,” I’m implying that we should believe in things that we cannot always see. My presentation explains how you can't see the wind, but we believe it is real. I thought faith meant always being courageous, but after having a bad day, I realise the true meaning of faith: you never see the finish line, but we take the next step anyway and this means a lot to me. Now I see faith in the way that helps me believe in God in the difficult times and I hope and pray that God will always come and help me when I am in need.
We wish these students the best of luck as their work will now be judged by the diocesan judges at Catholic Schools Broken Bay.
Kind regards
Liana Stella
REC
Need Help Parenting?
FREE E-SAFETY WEBINAR FOR PARENTS.....
You're invited to our Term 3 FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS with the expert eSafety Commissioner team: 'Influencers, Ideology and Impacts - How algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs'.
Lunch and learn! Grab your lunch and a cup of tea and join us during the day for this 45-minute session.
Wednesday 16 September12.30pm - 1.15pm
REGISTER HERE: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8907281592113064534
This webinar explores both the benefits and risks of recommender algorithms and offers practical strategies to help parents and carers to support young people build more positive and safer online feeds:
Not suitable for those under 18.
Recording available for registered participants for 72 hours following the webinar
HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF CATHOLIC CO-EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD?
SAVE THE DATE - back by popular demand!
FOR FAMILY CHRISTMAS PUDDING MAKING - "Stir it Up Sunday" will be on Sunday 22 November after the welcome to Kindy 2027 Mass from 11.30 am til 12.30 pm.
Happy Father's Day for all our Dads and Father figures.
We pray especially for the children in our school who have lost their fathers at such a young age. You may also like to read this article from Jesuit Publications titled Being a dad in today’s world’ by Michael McVeigh, Australian Catholics, Winter 2026. Fathers reflect on parenting, faith, sacrifice and discipline.
Pope Leo, the father of the Catholic Church on earth, wants us to pray this September
that water be protected so that we might learn to appreciate it with gratitude, justice, and moderation, and so that we might discover how water is a sacred gift that calls us to responsibility, solidarity and to care for life. Why not take a moment to pray with the Pope on https://www.popesprayer.va/praywiththepope/?v=september26
Reminder that Coffee Connect is on every second Thursday of the month at Ciao Down in Lindfield from 8.15 - 9.15 am. ALL WELCOME TO DROP IN OR STAY. Great way to improve your English and meet new or old friends. Bring your children too
Big thank you to all the Kindy Mums who organised such a great Father's Day breakfast!!
In Christ,
Anne Gray
Parent Engagement Coordinator
anne.gray1@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Wednesdays and half day Thursday