Faith and Mission
From the Mission Team
Faith Life at Loreto
Liturgies
Harmony Day is an annual observance in Australia that celebrates the country's cultural diversity and promotes inclusiveness and respect for all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity. It is held on March 21st each year, which is also the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The idea behind Harmony Day is to encourage Australians to embrace the cultural diversity of their country and to promote a sense of belonging for everyone.
Year 1 students led a beautiful liturgy to mark Harmony Day on Monday week 8. Dressed in national costumes, they shared their cultures with the students and the many parents who attended. The girls spent much time preparing for this liturgy, using their art work to illustrate the PowerPoint and hall, practising their readings and singing. It was a moving liturgy and helped to educate us on this significant day. Thank you to the many parents who joined us for this liturgy on an incredibly windy, power-less day!
The following morning, Year 6 classes celebrated a Mass focused on Harmony Day. Fr Chris Jenkins, spoke to the girls about diversity and the importance of helping everyone to feel they belong.
Junior School Project Compassion.
On Tuesday week 8, the Year 1 students ran their Project Compassion fundraiser, and walked to Tusmore Park sponsored by family and friends. Supported by wonderful parents, the girls chatted and laughed their way to the Park and enjoyed a picnic lunch at its conclusion.
This Thursday, Year 5 students will hold Market stalls to celebrate Purple Day. For a $2 coin donation, students may wear anything purple to take part in the fun. There will be a variety of stalls selling bakes and running activities each for a $2 coin donation. The following week, year 2 students will host a guess the number of lollies in the jar competition ($2 a guess).
Finally, our Reception students will be organising a Treasure Hunt in the Nature Play area in the final week.
In this year of Justice, our students have thrown themselves enthusiastically into supporting Caritas through this appeal. We thank you for your ongoing generous support to all these events.
Conversations Circles
On the 14th of March, a group of senior students took part in an online ‘Working Group on Girls’ Conversation Circle. This conversation circle was in association with the IBVM NGO at the UN. The circles were led by Youth Advocates from across the world including former student Milla Swain (2022).
Our students contributed to conversations around the theme of innovation and technological change, focusing on areas such as Leadership and Gender Bias. The girls learned that women and girls have less access to technology and the internet than boys and men, creating a distinct digital gender divide, and impacts women and girls' ability to engage in an increasingly technology-focused world. Understanding that digital technology can be a tool to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will be vital and necessary to ensure that girls and young women are included as full and equal participants in these discussions.
This was a great opportunity to hear and contribute to the collective voices of women and girls around the world and to recognise the importance of highlighting issues of social justice. We look forward to the opportunity to developing further links with the IBVM NGO at the UN.
Project Compassion – For all Future Generations.
Our Junior and Senior schools are busily preparing for Purple Day on the 30th of March!
This will be a day that focuses on Caritas and the work of Project Compassion.
Students are encouraged to wear something Purple on this day for a gold coin donation.
At lunchtime the Junior and Senior school students will hold a ‘Mercato’ on both campuses, where various items will be for sale. Students will also be able to learn about the vital projects that allow Caritas to transform the lives of people living in poverty.
To learn more about the vital work of Project Compassion - Project Compassion | Donate Now | Caritas Australia
St Ignatius Parish Norwood
St Ignatius Parish Norwood invites you to join the choir practice for the Easter ceremonies.
Practice will be held in the church at the following dates and times.
Thursday 23 March at 7:45pm.
Tuesday 4 April at 8pm.
Please see the Parish website for the times of the services. The Norwood choir is sharing Maundy Thursday and Easter Saturday with the Korean choir. It will be lovely to have you as part of this particularly special time of the liturgical year.
Contact Rosemary McGrath for any further information on 0417 800 538