Religious Education News

As Term 1 comes to a close, we can reflect on our Lenten journey so far and prepare ourselves for the important liturgical event in the Church year - Easter. Throughout our Lenten Journey at O’Connor, Fr Kingsley and Fr Deleep have reminded our community of the importance of taking time to strengthen our relationship with God through fasting and prayer, and practicing compassion and love for our neighbours through almsgiving. 

As a community we have shared many opportunities to grow in relationship with God and others, including raising awareness of the important work that Caritas does in our world and celebrating the Eucharist and the sacrament Reconciliation. On the last day of school, our community will come together to journey through the Stations of the Cross on our beautiful school grounds. The purpose of the Stations of the Cross is to help us make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer and reflection depicting Christ’s journey to his crucifixion in his final hours. 

Since the earliest centuries of the Church, Christians have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem in order to retrace the steps of Jesus during his suffering, death and resurrection.  Around the fifteenth century, Christians began the practice of prayerfully meditating on the Passion of Christ by reproducing that pilgrimage in miniature in what eventually became known as the Stations of the Cross. At O’Connor, we have recreated this ‘mini pilgrimage’ for our students so they too, can prayerfully reflect on the Passion of Christ.  By walking with Jesus through our beautiful school grounds, we join our suffering to his, knowing that he will lead us through it into the new life of the Resurrection.

As we approach Holy week, a most solemn week in the Catholic tradition commemorating Jesus' last week on earth and the events leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday, perhaps we can take some time to sit quietly with the passion of Christ and reflect upon the lyrics of the song No Greater Love by Fr Robb Galea as we pray in humble gratitude. 

“There is no Greater love than this

None that could ever compare with His

He Died, He Rose, He's Comin' again

He Died, He Rose, In Him there is no end

There's no greater love

Than this”

Lenten Reflection:

Each of us has been nourished by the service and love of others — parents, friends, spouses. Write a note to thank someone for the sacrifices they’ve made for you.

Paupers Banquet

Congratulations to Mrs Leggat and the OCC Vinnies students on another successful Paupers Banquet, celebrated on the second last day of term. Thank you to the OCC community who purchased tickets, donated money and resources for the Banquet. A special thank you to Sarah and the team at our canteen, who donated the beautiful banquet box’s. The 11 lucky students felt very spoiled receiving their feasts that included a range of savory and sweet treats. As a school, we are blessed to have a brilliant school canteen who support our community and continually provide amazing treats for lunch and recess.  

Year 12 Caritas and Project Compassion Fundraiser

To celebrate the end of a busy Term 1, and to culminate with the Cross Country and Easter Liturgy on Friday, Year 12 organised a major fundraising event to support Caritas and Project Compassion.

Students were encouraged to support their house groups by firstly wearing their house colours for the day and bringing in a gold coin donation for this.

Year 12 then conducted different stalls in the quad during recess in which students could purchase their goods, not only raising money but also gaining important house points.

• Benilde; slushies 
• La Salle; hot chips 
• Merici; chocolate toss
• Ursula; cake stall

Live music played at recess to encourage the excitement of finishing the term.

Students were then able to order PIZZA for lunch (a great kick start to running the cross country I am sure!!!!).

I am proud of the manner in which the Year 12 students ran with this event - coordinating, making posters, promoting it in assembly and then working together to make it happen. Well done leaders of our College. You deserve a well earned rest.

Project Compassion

Thank you to families who raised money in support of Caritas Australia through Lent. Boxes are due to be returned to the office Friday 29 April (Week 1 Term 2). 

The Final Youth Group of Term 1

Students have been enjoying attending Youth Group on  Friday afternoons. Youth group is

 an opportunity for students to come together with food, friends, to pray and learn about the word of God. Everyone is welcome 3:30-5pm every friday!

Last Friday was our last one of the term where students were able to enjoy an easter egg hunt, pin the tail on the bunny and a couple of rounds of egg and spoon races. 

We have had a points system running throughout the term where students were given a memory verse to take home and remember and if they were able to recite them the following week they would receive a point. Our winner for Term 1 was Neve Patterson.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." (John 11:25)

Wishing you a happy and Holy Easter.

Miss Melita Roach

Armidale Parish Mass Times

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael Kennedy

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