Religious Education News

Catholic Schools Week 

May 23-27 2022

“Our Hope Filled Future”

As we move into the celebration of Catholic Schools Week for 2022, we are encouraged to look toward “our hope filled future” for our schools and our students. The theme encompases our collective focus on student learning and wellbeing, which is a vehicle of hope for the future. It also aligns with our vision, a Christ-centred inclusive learning community that results in students who are creative, confident and informed people ready to make a real difference in our world. 

At O’Connor, we will embrace this theme both in the classroom and in the broader community as we celebrate the gift of Catholic Education. On Thursday 26th May, Year 11 students and Year 12 Leaders will represent the college at the Diocesen Deanery Mass for Armidale. Members of the BEATitudes will collaborate with schools from the region to provide the music for this Mass. 

Prayer for Catholic Schools Week

Creator God, you have blessed us with goodness and love.

We give thanks for being called to be a part of this Catholic school community.

We give thanks for those who created our Catholic schools.

May our learning, teaching and other work be a worthy echo of your grace,

And may our celebrations be touched by your joy.

Year 7, 8 and 11 Retreats

Last week, students from Year 7, 8 and our Year 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders attended retreat days facilitated by our Lasallian Youth Ministers and Damian “Damo” Khoury from the La Salle Mission Council. The theme for the three days centred around building community, and provided students with the opportunity to think about their role in not only O’Connor Catholic College, but within the whole Lasallian family spread across the world. Students also recognised the importance of O’Connor as the first Lasallian school in Australia. 

Year 7 Retreat

Year 8 Retreat

Our Year 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders (LYL’s) engaged in leadership training so that they could work with the Year 7 and 8 students the following retreat days, fostering important relationships essential to a healthy and thriving community. Accompanied by Year Leaders, the students eagerly engaged with numerous activities from icebreakers such as “jockeys up” to reflection activities such as creative ways to pray. Although the weather consisted of mostly misty rain, the students, LYLs, teachers and youth ministers were able to stay toasty in the Torregiani room and enjoy a few slices of pizza and some great karaoke during breaks. 

Miss Melita Roach

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