Faith and Mission
From the Mission Team
Goodbye to Sr Diaan and Sr Verna
A special liturgy was held on the 19th of June to farewell Sisters Diaan and Verna who will return to their homes in Queensland and Victoria. Members of the community who had taught with Sister Diaan or who had been taught or cared for by the sisters participated in the readings alongside current staff and students. A highlight of the liturgy was the lighting of the Justice candle by Sr Diaan who then passed the flame on to Head Girl, Tahlia Warner to light the school candle, a symbol of keeping the Loreto values alive and strong as modelled by the Loreto sisters. Sr Diaan spoke to the community about the sisters impact at Loreto Marryatville, nationally and globally. In following the footsteps of Mary Ward, Sister Diaan and Sister Verna have exemplified her spirit of compassion and faith. We offer our prayers and blessings as they embark on a new phase of their journey, that their path may be filled with God's grace, love, and protection.
World Refugee Week – ‘Finding Freedom’
This week is World Refugee week. Refugees and Asylum speakers is one of the five justice priorities for the Loreto Network. On Tuesday our guest speaker Ben spoke to the hearts and minds of students and staff with his remarkable journey as a refugee. The guest speaker, accompanied by his sister and mother, shared his story of bravery, empowerment, and the importance of keeping families safe.
During the assembly Ben told us how he and his family were forced to flee their homeland, leaving behind everything they knew. Ben drew attention to his mother's exceptional courage, he praised his mother's resilience and determination in navigating the journey to safety, showcasing the immense strength that women possess. His heartfelt words resonated deeply, reminding everyone present of the importance of the role women play in shaping a better future.
Ben also shed light on the plight of refugees in Australia. He addressed the need for compassion and understanding, urging the students to extend a helping hand to those who have sought refuge in Australia. His message served as a reminder that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and an opportunity to rebuild their lives. As the assembly concluded, students and teachers alike were left inspired and motivated by the guest speaker's story.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn from Ben’s story, that is testament to the transformative power of compassion and education. Through the guest speaker's account, students gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by refugees and the significance of unity and support in creating a more inclusive society.
We can as a Loreto Community, use our voice to help those who seek our support.
Find out how the Loreto Network supports Refugees and Asylum Seekers by visiting Action Centre – Refugees & Asylum Seekers (loreto.org.au)
Our Liturgical Life
A liturgy to launch the Vinnies Winter Appeal was held on the 5th June. Led in hymn and prayer by the year 4 Blue class, the girls were supported by the Junior Social Justice leaders who spoke about the importance of this Appeal. The leaders highlighted data showing the increase of women and children in dangerous situations due to homelessness. The girls invited the junior school to support the Appeal through the donation of non-perishable food items, warm clothes and blankets. To kick off the Appeal, and coinciding with World Environment Day, the students spent a day with no heating, minimal lighting and screens. Students were encouraged to bring blankets, mittens and beanies to provide additional warmth and these were all donated to the Vinnies Winter Appeal at the end of the day.-a strategy led by the Environment group.