Focus on Faith & Mission

This year, our College theme is “Walking together in hope”. Based on the road to Emmaus story, the disciples meet the risen Christ; at first not recognising him and then through the acts of sharing a meal and breaking bread, realise that Jesus is with them. It’s a powerful story full of hope in times of struggle. We ask Jesus to be near us as we move into Holy Week next week.

End of Term

Although COVID has disrupted our plans to bring the whole College together to acknowledge the end of term, students and staff at Coolock and St Mary’s will witness a performance of the Way of the Cross by our Year 9 Drama students. The performance will be narrated by senior members of our Student Representative Council (SRC). The day will also see the return of the Caritas Ks walk for our Coolock students and Caritas fundraising activities planned for both campuses. The end of term also brings to a close, our study of the work of Caritas and Project Compassion in India, Australia, Solomon Islands, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique  “for all future generations”.

As we prepare for the holiday break, we are reminded that the most significant season in our liturgical calendar is occurring over the middle weekend – the death and resurrection of Jesus. Few other occasions unite the Christian family as Easter does and this year in particular, we are reminded that in Easter hope we continue to pray for peace in the world.

Anzac Day Commemoration

Students will attend assemblies at each site to commemorate Anzac Day on Wednesday 27 April. This moving ceremony will be student-led and will feature Liam Truscott (Year 10) playing the Last Post and Reveille.

Year 7 Mass

Earlier in the term, we were delighted to welcome Father Junray and Father DJ to celebrate Mass with our Year 7 students and staff in McAuley Square. A number of students were able to lead us in prayer and processions and it was terrific to see the joy on the faces of the students as they gathered to celebrate.

Term 2 Mission Focus & Masses

In Term 2, our fundraising and outreach focus is Vinnies. During the term, there will be a number of advocacy and fundraising activities that will be promoted at the College. Of note will be Reconciliation Week, Refugee Week and the Rug Up Day in June. SRCs at both Coolock and St Mary’s will continue to work hard to promote awareness and involve our students in advocating for a more just world.

Our Year 12 students will participate in class Masses in the first few weeks of the new term. The opportunity to spend time together celebrating Eucharist is very special and we thank Father Brian Boyle and Father DJ for making themselves available to minister to our students.

Justice Matters Camp

The annual Justice Matters Camp will be held at the Old Priory in Beechworth from May 11 – 13 for students in leadership roles or who are passionate about justice issues, and currently in Years 9 -11. The Camp is a partnership between the Catholic Education Sandhurst, Caritas Australia and secondary schools in the Diocese of Sandhurst. The “Justice Matters” gathering will give students a unique opportunity to make new friends and to become aware of their relationships with God, others, themself and the environment in their community and in the world. Through raising awareness of a wide range of issues, fostering advocacy, promoting action for justice, working together and building partnerships, the aim is to inspire students to become agents of change locally, nationally and globally. Students can indicate their interest through the form in Daily Messages. Given that the camp is early in Term 2, students will need to indicate their interest by Wednesday 27 April (first day of classes for Term 2).

Michael Goss, Director of Faith and Mission