NAIDOC Week

O'Connor Catholic Colleges celebrated NAIDOC Week this week. The College ATSI Team put together an excellent program of celebrations that included a traditional smoking ceremony, flag raising ceremony, art workshops, music, prayer, lessons and a liturgy.the theme for NAIDOC Week is Heal Country. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) explains this theme;

Every year, Catholics come together across Australia to acknowledge and celebrate the gifts of Australia’s First Peoples in the Catholic Church. This year is particularly important following the COVID 19 Pandemic and its impact on the ways in which we interacted and made contact with one another.

NATSICC has decided to adopt the NAIDOC theme for 2021 – Heal Country. Today our world is in need of healing – environmentally, spiritually and socially. We must all come together as a global community to fight the injustices of inequality, racism and environmental damage.

Starting each school day, meetings and gatherings at O'Connor always begin with an Acknowledgement of Country and special events such as NAIDOC Week begin with Welcome to Country. At O'Connor, Aboriginal Education Assistant Matt Griffin, a proud Anaiwan man has been able to perform this ceremony. Matt has been explaining to students the difference between an acknowledgement and welcome. Again NATSICC explains;

An ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ is a way that all people can show awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage and the ongoing relationship the Traditional Custodians have with their Country. Both First Australian and non-Indigenous people can perform ‘Acknowledgement of Country’. It is a demonstration of respect dedicated to the Traditional Custodians of the lands (or sea) where the event, meeting, school function or conference takes place. It can be formal or informal.

A ‘Welcome to Country’ is a Ceremony where Traditional Custodians, Elders, welcome people to their land. This is a significant recognition and is made through a formal process, although it is up to the Elder how they decide to carry out the Ceremony. It is also dependent on the location of the event and the practice of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community - which can vary greatly according to region. During a Welcome to Country the Traditional Custodians welcome those in attendance, guests, staff and students to their Country. It might be just a simple speech or a performance of some sort, like a song, traditional dance, a didgeridoo piece or any combination of these.

In the Liturgy on Friday the following prayers of intercession were said;

Sisters and Brothers, let us pray for the needs of our world, especially the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples during this challenging time.

We pray for Pope Francis, our Bishops and all the clergy, religious and laity. May they be faithful to Christ’s teaching of truth, justice and peace. Lord, hear us.

We pray for all ministers of the Gospel: that they may bring us to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and a stronger love for each other. Lord, hear us.

We pray for the success of the forthcoming Plenary Council: that all participants will listen to how God is calling the Church in Australia to be Christ-centred and inclusive. Lord, hear us.

We pray for unity in our community and culture: that the journey towards reconciliation within the Church may encourage each and every one of us to make reconciliation our story. Lord, hear us.

We pray for all members of our communities: that they may discover the spiritual riches of God and our First Nations cultures so they can pass these treasures on to younger generations. Lord, hear us.

We pray for all Elders in our communities: that we may honour their lives and legacy and embrace the love and peace that they show us every day by how they live their faith. Lord, hear us.

We pray for all young people: that they find the love and peace Christ has for them as they search for meaning in their lives. Lord, hear us

We pray for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and all cultural communities: that God’s Spirit of reconciliation will live in their hearts and minds and help them to embrace the diversity that makes for a richer country and stronger Church. Lord, hear us

Lord of heaven and earth, gathered in faith and in response to your Word, we ask you to accept the prayers we make.

Retreat Season

Our LYMs have been working very hard planning and facilitating retreats for our students. Last week under the theme of "Journey" students looked back on their own journey, their present situation and their hopes and dreams for the future. The important question of where God is in all of this was posed and the classic poem "Footprints" featured prominently. Our year 10 were able to share their stories, hopes and fears with each other and a greater understanding and appreciation of each other.

Upcoming retreats include the Year 7 Retreat with the theme of "Heroes, The Fantastic Force". In this retreat we look at inspiring people such as Angela Merici, John Baptiste De La Salle and of course JC himself. Team building plays a very important part of this retreat and as a result there are lots of games and activities with this in mind to build Year 7 into a "Fantastic Force".

Youth Group

Last week O'Connor's youth group had some special guests! Miss Armfield bought her 8 spoodle puppies in and everyone fell in love with them. Everyone had a great time playing with them and learning about them.

Youth Group is on every Friday from 3:20-5 pm, everyone is invited to come and enjoy some friends, fun, faith and food.

Catholic Missions Report

In Week 5 O'Connor had Catholic Missions Week where we fundraised for Catholic

Missions including a project for a kindergarten and mothers group in Thailand. Awareness for the work of Catholic Missions was raised and Catholic social justice principles were the subject of lessons in RE across all year groups. From the Big Handball Shootout, afternoon Wheelbarrow, Mufti Day gold coin donation, and online Socktober donations O'Connor raised over $1700! House points were given to each house depending on how much each house raised. Merici came out on top, followed by Ursula, 3rd place Benilde.

HANDBALL COMP WINNERS: Tilly and Fletcher came out on top in the handball competition. Pictured here with the runners up.

St Francis of Assisi Chapter of St Vincent de Paul - O'Connor

Cheryl Leggatt

The O'Connor Catholic College, St Francis of Assisi Chapter of St Vincent de Paul held its AGM at the beginning of November.

Our thanks to the outgoing executive, especially to the President, Year 12 student, Sophie Troon, who has worked with the Conference since joining the O'Connor community in Year 7. Our students are to be commended on their staying power in light of the difficulties Covid has presented. We have not been able to make our regular visits to Autumn Lodge or the Stroke Recovery Group since March last year. The students have remained committed to making a difference and continue to support the efforts of the Vinnies. The new Executive for 2021-22 is:

President : Heather Bassett

Vice President : Imogen Hislop

Secretary : Sammii Robinson

Spiritual Advisor : Freya Giles

Publicity officer : Jessica MacMahon

THE NEW TEAM: (L to R) Freya Giles, Heather Bassett, Jessica MacMahon, Imogen Hislop and Sammii Robinson.

Our final activity for the year will be the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and Liturgy. More information will be available next week on how our O'Connor community will be able to contribute to the Christmas appeal.

Thank you all for your continued support of the work of St Vincent de Paul.

Damian Roff

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

Year of St Joseph

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

Sport

Emma to tour England, Holland, Belgium and France