Catholic Identity and Mission 

Staff Catholic Identity Professional Learning Day

On Tuesday 25th February (Student Free Day) our staff travelled to Mary Mackillop Heritage Centre in Melbourne for a professional learning day where we reconnected with the Josephite Charism.  

It was a wonderful day, and we thank Anna, Claire and Eamon for hosting us.

Caritas Australia

As the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency, Caritas Australia works hand in hand with the most marginalised communities in Australia and overseas, to confront the challenges of poverty.

Through locally led programs, Caritas works with all people, with shared hope and compassion, towards a world where all can thrive and reach their full potential. Through partnerships with local organisations and Church networks, and as a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, Caritas are able to reach where the need is greatest and work together for a just future.

Working together for justice and dignity. Building together a thriving future for all.

Caritas has been committed to tackling poverty and inequality in Australia and overseas since 1964.

When a crisis hits, Caritas work hand-in-hand with local communities and churches to bring aid and relief to people whose lives have been devastated by natural disaster or conflict.

Today Caritas serves in 20 countries, working through 61 partnerships to bring hope, support and compassion to the world’s most vulnerable people.As part of our mandate, Caritas also seek to engage all Australians, especially the Catholic community, to advocate and act for equality and justice for all.

WHERE WE WORK

Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday 4th March we hosted the launch of Project Compassion here at Mary Mackillop Catholic Regional College.  This opportunity comes to us once very 8 years as it is shared amongst the Catholic Secondary Colleges in our Diocese.

We celebrated with student leaders from our local primary and secondary schools, Principals, Deputy Principals, Catholic Identity and Mission Leaders as well as special guests including:

•    Bishop Greg Bennet, Bishop of the Diocese of Sale.  •    Mr. Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education, DOSCEL,(Apology)  •    Fr Stanly Devasia – Parish Priest, Leongatha & Korumburra  •    Fr Manny Lomagno – Parish Priest, Cowes  •    Fr Confidence Mosvosva, Parish Priest, Yarram •    Sally Murphy – Caritas Australia.  •    Siji Dominic – Diocesan Pastoral Associate.  •    Br Tony Clark - Team Leader Pastoral Life and Mission •    Liam Doherty – Catholic Identity and Religious Education Adviser,DOSCEL  •    Mayor of South Gippsland, John Schelling •    Frank Preston & John Denbrok – Members of the Parish PastoralCouncil •    Josie Blesser – Representative of our local St Vinnies Conference.

Our Liturgy was led by Bishop Greg and our school Choir sang our opening and closing songs.  Bishop Greg was very impressed with our College, our students, our Choir and our hospitality.

I would like to thank everyone who made this day a success including the maintenance staff who worked so hard to get the café (dance/drama room) ready for the day. Ms Joanne Knox and her VM students as well as the Year 11 Youth Ministry students for cooking and serving some delicious pancakes for lunch and our Year 12 student leaders who were a fine representation of what our College is about humility, humbleness and kindness to others.

Many thanks to my REL Leader, Mr Scott Blencowe for all his work in helping get the day organised too.  After many hours of planning and organising it was a wonderful celebration.  The photos below say it all.

Students will soon be bringing home Project Compassion Fundraising boxes.We ask you to consider donating to this important cause and help us.

Unite Against Poverty this Lent

Youth Ministry classes will be fundraising over this Lenten period to raise money for Caritas – so ask your student to look out for fundraiser event on SIMON and on posters around the college

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

It is the special time that prepares us for Easter.

On Wednesday 5th March our students were marked with ashes on their forehead. This is a public expression of our faith and humility.

This Lenten season we pray…

May we be examples of hope for the world and inspire us with their prayers and acts of kindness and generosity…

May we be a united people of hope and have the determination to be the change in our world by giving to others, being a close follower of Jesus in our words and actions and spending time in prayer.

May we be filled with hope as we see our words and actions making a difference in the daily lives of others. May we live like Jesus by helping those in need and showing love for our neighbours by acting on the Gospel values of love, forgiveness, understanding and respect.

May our support of Project Compassion this year enable Caritas to bring hope to the hearts of people around the world who need the love and compassion of a friend. May we see that our actions in supporting Caritas do make a difference to the lives of others.

Pope's Message for Lent 2025 an invitation to journey together in hope

In his Message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis invites the faithful to “journey together in hope," and to take the opportunity of the upcoming Lenten Season to ask ourselves whether we are truly willing to heed God's call to change our lives. Recalling the biblical Exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Pope reminds us that our lives too are a journey - one that should be directed toward God. Pope Francis urges the faithful during this Lenten Season to examine their own lives: are they actively progressing on the path of spiritual renewal or are they held back by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of their comfort zone?

Pope Francis goes on to remind us, “The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters.”Journeying together,” he writes, “means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (…) without letting anyone be left behind or excluded.”His message was published today, Tuesday 25 February, as he continues to he treated in Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

You can read his Lenten Message in full HERE.