Faith, Justice and Formation

Year 11 Father/Son Evening – Tuesday 28 March

We have received an unprecedented number of bookings for this event. While it is wonderful that so many of our dads and young men are keen to attend, places for this event are now full and we cannot accept any more bookings due to capacity limits. As was explained at the Year 11 Parent Information Evening, numbers at this event must be limited due to capacity constraints and the nature of the evening.

Year 11 Retreat Day Reminder

As mentioned at the Year 11 Parent Information Evening, all Year 11 students will be involved in a Retreat Day. It will be one of the focal points of your son’s senior schooling at St Patrick’s College and the first event in the Senior Formation Program. Attendance and participation on the Retreat Day is a condition of your son’s enrolment at the College.

Therefore, all Year 11 students are expected to be involved. The aim of the Retreat Day is to provide students with a chance to think about and reflect on their various relationships, focusing on where they are headed as young men in the future. It is also a valuable opportunity for your son’s spiritual development as well as providing the chance for the cohort to come together in the experience.

The theme for the day is ‘The Spirituality of Men’.

Consent and Medical Information must be completed by Friday 10 March 2023. This information is all available for access via the Parent Portal on TASS. This is where you need to check and record medical information for your son and give consent for him to attend this off-site event.

Lenten Appeal Barbeque at Breen Oval

Many thanks and congratulations to the team of volunteers from Year 10 who ran a fundraising barbeque for the Lenten Appeal during the First XI Cricket Final last Saturday 11 March. It was a wonderful day, beautiful weather, an exciting victory for our cricketers and great to see these young men from Year 10 giving their time for others and supporting their peers at the same time. Well done!

Year 7 Reflection Days

Last week our Year 7 boys travelled to Lane Cove to participate in their reflection day for 2023. The theme for the day was centered around the touchstone of Inclusive Community and took its scriptural focus from 1 Corinthians 12:27 – All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. This also relates to the College theme for 2023 - That there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose (1 Cor 1:10). The boys took part in a range of activities designed to build relationships within their homerooms, given that they will be in the same homeroom from Year 7 through to Year 12. There were also moments for more quiet reflection on the many talents that they have been given by God, that they are all made in God’s likeness and that every one of them is unique, is special and is a gift. They engaged in knowing and understanding each other better to build relationships that will last.

Many thanks are due to Ms Rocca for leading the day with such energy and faith, and to Mrs Warsop for her support in the important role of Year Coordinator for Year 7. I would also like to acknowledge all of the Year 7 homeroom teachers who worked with their own boys on the day. The role of homeroom teacher is extremely important in helping the boys to navigate their school lives, to build their character and their independence, and to grow in faith. I thank them also for all their many contributions to the great success of this day.

Friday Mass

We are very blessed at St Patrick’s College to be able to celebrate Mass together every Friday morning in our beautiful College chapel. Everyone is welcome to join us for this weekly celebration, especially parents/carers and friends of the College. Mass starts at 8:10 AM. You might like to consider joining us as part of your commitment to the season of Lent as we prepare for Easter.

This Friday 17 March is St Patrick’s Day. It would be lovely to see as many of you there as are able.

Adam Leslie

Acting Director of Identity

Parent SOL Group

Looking for a way to make a difference in our community this Lenten season? Consider volunteering at St Mekorious Charity who is looking for help in the kitchen or warehouse.  It's a local charity in South Strathfield. They particularly need help between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. They also accept food donations of fresh produce and staples such as rice and pasta.

Any parents/carers who can assist as part of the Parent SOL group would be most welcome.

Volunteering is a powerful way to give back to those in need and make a positive impact on the world.

Please email charity@stmekorious.com.au.

SOL Parent Group