Religious Education News

“Be the bread of life”. The message that Fr Roel shared with Year 8 students and teachers during their Mass on Wednesday 4th May. Fr Roel reminded us to be thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn as a community, and gain the courage to take our learnings into the world to make a difference. A message that never grows old, and a challenge we need to be reminded of as we go about our daily lives. 

In the holidays, O’Connor played host to members of the NSW St Vincent de Paul branch to commission their new President Paul Burton. Paul, an ex-students of De la Salle boys college, chose to have his commissioning Mass in our De la Salle Chapel instead of in Sydney as he recognised it as a significant place where he developed a call to help those in need. Paul, like many of our past students through the history of our great school, has had the opportunity to reflect on his school life and acknowledges it is a unique community where the charisms of the de la salle brothers and Usuline Sister have been prominent in all facets of life beyond the school gates. 

At the end of this term we will come together to celebrate Founders Day. This is an important day at O’Connor where we celebrate the contribution of our founders from the Ursuline Sisters and De la Salle Brothers, as well as celebrate what makes us a unique community full of joy, hope and faith. A time that we can recognise past students, teachers and leaders who are still connected with the college through the founders, and like Paul Burton, share a love and an appreciation for the special community that we are blessed to be part of. 

As we approach Founders Day, we will have many opportunities to grow in awareness of the work of the founders, and develop a sense of community beyond the school gates, evidence of our connectedness to one another and the impact that we can have on the world. 

Stations of the Cross

The school community joined together for Stations of the Cross on the last day of Term 1. A class from each year group prepared and presented a station each, with the support of their RE teachers and the LYM’s. After braving the misty weather on this spiritual pilgrimage with Jesus, played this year by 2022 School Captain Fletcher Schulz, the community gathered in the Quad for the final station. Year 10 student Indiana Ramage provided the school community with a reflection upon the Gospel, offering a message of hope and humility for the school through the Easter season.  

“How many times a day do you say, “well there’s nothing I can do about that.” or “well it’s out of my hands.” It seems so easy to just step back, give up or shrug something off without a second thought. It’s something we do everyday, it’s something I do everyday. Even something as innocent as this is something that encourages ignorance and selfishness. So often we see people not stepping in during moments of conflict, saying that they’re just one person, their voice isn’t enough to instil change.

 Always seek to help and make a positive lasting effect on someone. Always seek to learn. Be grateful and humble. Although your efforts may go unnoticed, whatever you do, when done with compassion, matters. Lamentations 3:32 says, “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” It may seem that sometimes God has caused pain and disaster, why should we follow him? This quote tells us that with grief comes compassion and his love is forever unfailing. Your words matter so much more than you may think. Act with kindness, act with love, act with compassion and be humble. Learn about issues and understand that by being educated you are making a difference. Don’t say anything is out of your hands. “ 

 - Indiana Ramage, Year 10 RE

Indiana Tait gave the Homily

Indiana’s message resonates with not only students, but with the staff of O’Connor, and it was wonderful to have such inspirational words of hope from one of our students. Well done Indie!

Following the reflection, Year 11 La Sallian Youth Leaders led house chants for bonus points. Congratulations to La Salle who won the bonus points for their house, led by Year 11LYL’s  Rafe McAuley, Toby Miller, Klaudia Stace and Indiana Tait. 

ANZAC Commemoration Term 2

On Friday 29th April, the O’Connor community came together to commemorate ANZAC Day. Our Guest speaker, Cadet Liam Vannuci, reminded us why ANZAC day is important for Australians, and also for us individually. 

Full Speech Transcript 

Liam Vannuci addresses the College as this Year's guest speaker

Thanks to the students and staff who represented the Australian Defense Force Cadets:

RCT Archie Howarth

CDT Liam Vannuci

LCPL James Everette

CDT WO1 Ned Maurer

CDT SGT Heath Maurer

CDT SGT Angela Ryan 

MAJ Andrew May 

Miss Melita Roach

Our Founders - St Angela Merici and St John Baptiste De La Salle

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Keeping in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral Parish is easy through their website and Facebook pages.

With such a difficult year and a half it has been harder for parishioner's to give to the parish through the plates, particularly when the church is closed as it is at present. The Parish account details are available on the Parish bulletin. 

Cathedral Parish Website

Information about our founders

La Salle Website

Ursuline Sisters Website