Catholic Identity & Mission News

I think some signs of aging are when you start to enjoy going to Bunnings and you frequently comment on how quickly time flies! I’m certainly guilty of this second sign especially when I turned over my office calendar this week and it was already August! August the 1st marked a very special day too, the start of World Youth Day (which actually goes for six days!) in Lisbon, Portugal.

World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelization for the youth world. Although its Catholic identity is clearly evident, WYD opens its doors to everyone, no matter how close to or distant from the Church they are. Over the course of a week, young people from all over the world are welcomed, mainly in public (gymnasiums, schools, pavilions …) and parish facilities or family homes. In addition to the moments of prayer, sharing and leisure, the young people enrolled in this celebration participate in various initiatives organized by the WYD team, in different locations across the host city. The highlights are the celebrations (central features) for which the Pope is present, such as the welcoming and opening ceremony, the Way of the Cross, the vigil and, on the last day, the closing mass. While we were unable to facilitate a group attending from St Peter’s, we were able to support one of our Cranbourne Campus teachers, Mr Tishan Lokuge in getting to Lisbon. At an Australian pilgrims event, he ran into Dominic Rode, our Clyde North Campus Captain in 2022 so St Peter’s does have a presence at this wonderful celebration! We continue to keep Tishan, Dominic and all WYD participants in our prayers and look forward to hearing about this tremendous gathering upon their return. 

For us though, there are more celebrations coming up in August that are closer to home! We celebrate three House Patron Feast Days in August – St Mary MacKillop on Thursday, August 10, St Maximilian Kolbe on Thursday, August 17 and St Augustine of Hippo on Thursday, August 31. In addition, we will celebrate mass with our Cranbourne Campus Year 7-10 students and staff during period 1 on Tuesday, August 15 for the Feast of the Assumption.  This feast reflects the Catholic belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus died, she was taken up to Heaven body and soul. The Assumption of Mary confirms the special honour Mary was given in being chosen by God as the mother of Jesus. With thanks to our Year 10 Youth Ministry students who will play a special role in the mass, we trust this will be a lovely celebration with our students.

And a reminder that Friday, August 11 is a student-free day as College staff gather for our annual Staff Spirituality Day at the Clyde North Campus. Our keynote presentations this year focus on St Paul (who shares St Peter’s Feast Day) and ‘Signs of the Times’, looking at contemporary issues in the Catholic Church. Staff will also choose to participate in two workshops during the day. Look out for a full report in the next newsletter but until then, I hope you enjoy August while it lasts! 

Information about World Youth Day taken from: https://www.lisboa2023.org/en

Fiona McKenna

Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Mission