Faith and Mission

Stage 3 Lifted Live Junior

On the 19th May, a couple of students from each Stage 3 class went to the Lifted Live Junior event hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) and the CSPD Mission Team.  Here are some of reflections the students wrote of their experience:

Jasmine - Freeman.

Yesterday I went to the junior Lifted Live Event, it was spectacularly amazing. We arrived at West HQ, 

Rooty Hill and ate our recess, later on the whole group entered the venue. We sang some fun songs and we allgot up and danced also. 

Then guess what! They invited an international guest all the way from New York, Chris Padgett. He 

taught us about faith and his experiences, and he told us 3 important things: “God chooses me, God prepares me and God loves me”. 

We also got the opportunity to come up and sing with the Lifted band, at the end of the day we learnt 

some new prayers. I am so thankful that I got to go to Lifted because it helped me learn a bit more 

about God, and it was a way to be a bit closer to God.

Matthew - Freeman

Firstly, when we arrived Qwayne from CYP introduced the team and explained what each of them do. Then they sang a couple of Catholic songs and then a celebrity called Chris talked to us and told us a couple of jokes, he was funny!  Chris talk to us about our faith and explained that Jesus picks me, Jesus prepares me, and Jesus loves me.

We then had lunch together and sat back down in our seats and Chris came back on stage and told us about his life and his faith.

Aarna - Acutis

Lifted Live Junior was a remarkable experience. I have previously attended various incursions- where guest speakers arrived and presented various topics about Catholicism,  but visiting the spiritual environment with  11 other peers from Stage 3 made this trip even more special. 

We listened to Chris who is an author, musician and comedian.  He incorporated comedy into most of his presentation and this helped us to understand how Jesus Christ is always present when we have friendship, financial or family problems. 

The majority of the students from the Parramatta Diocese could relate to one of Chris’s presentations.  This could be related to an unfortunate problem people face in their daily lives, or the habits some people do.  Regardless of this, we were uplifted by Chris and the Lifted Band who succeeded in bringing a wave of satisfaction and joy to the crowd. Sitting, talking and laughing with people from our diocese made this event more worthwhile.

A few aspects my peers and I believe were hilarious and motivational. The message we took from this lecture was that the Blessed Trinity is always waiting for us to accept Him in our lives.   I believe that this was an ideal event to learn how to take the path of Catholicism. 

Walter Purcell - Acutis

Some insights that I gained from the guest speaker at Lifted Life Jnr are that in life, Jesus picks and protects you. He said that if you are never chosen in a group, or if you are feeling left out, Jesus chooses you. 

A part of the day that connected to my faith was when the guest speaker connected the faith to us in a way we would understand; he connected it to the kids playing on the playground. I found this to be very engaging and surprising because no one has ever connected it to the playground. In this experience I felt good and included because I felt like I was part of something. 

Stage 5 Lifted Live Unleashed

On Friday May 20 14 Year 10 students made their way to Lifted Live Unleashed.  A day aimed at stage 5 students that aims to bring together the community in FAith.  Chris Padgett an American, Author, Musician and Inspirational Speaker entertained the students along with the Lifted Band.  Following find some reflections from our Year 10 students:

Vallen - Year 10

Lifted Unleashed is something that I believe everyone should experience.  It is wonderful to get the chance to hear stories from and learn about students from other schools who came from other backgrounds.  It  was an enjoyable experience because we were able to unite as a community under the same faith. 

Lifted gave me the chance to think deeply about creating a more just society,  as it tied in with what Year 10 is currently studying in Religion (Dialogue and Encounter).  As uncomfortable as it was first, the similarity that united all students was our faith. We shared and communicated how we are able to evolve and grow to a greater extent whilst we are in the presence of God and how he indisputably loves us.

Lara - Year 10

Obtaining the opportunity to participate in the Lifted Live Unleashed at West HQ in Rooty Hill was an astounding, collaborative, heart filling and moving experience. It immensely changed my thoughts of action in my daily life while listening to the empathetic and memorable speaker Chris Padget who came from New York and elaborated on becoming closer to God. 

Chris supported our understanding that individuals are created in the “image and likeness of God” through his engaging life stories which built a pathway to locating what is a barrier in our lives as teenagers from being able to build this relationship. It was explained how our relationships should emulate compassion and humility which further makes us understand that God loves each of his children unconditionally. Participating in singing songs reflecting Christ as a community built this connection of dialogue and encounter through the feeling of belonging. 

I was able to connect with multiple members from 11 different schools in the Parramatta Diocese by engaging in virtuous dialogue and listening to introduction of self/identity. There was a moment we were able to reflect and meet new members of the community which was immensely valuable for me. I felt I had to step out of my comfort zone, but this allowed me to gain confidence by having faith in myself after Chris Padgets speech. I had reunited with past friends allowing me to see how they were going in their life journey. 

Moreover, being surrounded by my peers made it a greater bonding moment which brought me closer to individuals in my community through conversation. Thus, attending Lifted Live Unleashed allowed for discussion, testimony as well as understanding myself and God's teachings.

Liturgy

Mothers day

On Friday May 12, St Luke’s Catholic College celebrated a very special Liturgy to give thanks for the gifts and talents that our mothers bring to our faith community. As we all know, mothers are those superwomen that give their lives to keep us safe and happy. 

In this Liturgy, our students had the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the gift of having a mother or a mother figure in their lives. Students were also able to give thanks to the Virgin Mary as their Heavenly Mother. Deacon Tony in his homily reflected on how our mothers are there to protect and raise us to be the best version of ourselves. He also gave our St Luke’s mothers a very special blessing to strengthen them in their role and give them the courage to educate their children with love and tenderness. 

Finally, our mothers received a rose as a sign of the appreciation we have for all they do for us.  As a very special treat, find attached a video created in honour of all the mothers at St Luke’s community.

Stage 5 and 6 Liturgy

On Tuesday May 30, Stages 5 and 6 participated in a Liturgy to celebrate Reconciliation week. In this liturgy, students commemorated the Journey of Healing that our Indigenous Australian people started on May 26, 1997. Students reflected on the importance of this week, being Reconciliation Week, on our Indigenous population. 

Under the theme “Be a voice for Generations”, students were able to consider how one’s voice can have an impact on the community.  The words of Pope John Paul II enabled students to reflect on the importance happiness through forgiveness and reconciliation. Pope John Paul II also spoke about how the history of Australia can only be understood by the contribution of all its members. 

Finally students were able to reflect on the following question “How can you be a voice for reconciliation? “ by thinking of ways they could be a voice for the minorities in their daily lives.

Social Outreach

We are increasing our Social Outreach Initiatives throughout the school.  As more come on line we will be sure to let our wider community know what is happening schoolwide.

Calling all crafters! 

Our Year 7 to 12 students have been invited to join our craft group in the HUB every Friday at lunch.  Here we are knitting or crocheting squares to make blankets to benefit Jesuit Refugee Services.

In the next few weeks I hope to invite parents to also join a crafting group where we can make blankets to share our love to the community through the warmth we create in  our blankets.  In the meantime all families are welcome to knit or crochet squares that are 25 cm squared out of 8 ply wool on 4mm knitting needles or a 4.5 mm crochet hook.

Should you have any completed squares or you have 8 ply wool, knitting needles or crochet hooks to donate please feel free to drop them off at the office.

Thank you, as always, for your generosity and support. 

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

June 23 will see the first Vinnie’s Winter Sleepout at the College.  Year 9 to 12 are invited to attend.  The event will start at 6 pm on Friday June 23 and will conclude by 9 am Saturday June 24.  More details are to come.

In Term 3 we are also planning on having another Vinnies experience for our stage 2 to 4 students.  More details to come.

Vinnies and Mini Vinnies

Vinnies students have begun regular visits to the CELC as a way of building community, mentoring our young students and supporting the transition process between ‘preschool’ and ‘big school’. 

YCS

The YCS team members at St Luke's have been working collaboratively using the 'See-Judge-Act' paradigm to find solutions to challenges in their circle of influence.

The YCS Leadership team members came up with the idea of integrating our Pillars to their actions. They will be using the document to map their actions against the St Luke's Pillars.

On Friday 2nd June, during their YCS meeting time, team members will be visiting students at different areas (Market Place, COLA, Oval) to talk to them about the challenges they are encountering so that they can prepare some proposals for tangible actions. The progress of the endeavour will be updated in the next edition of the NET.