By Mrs Patrice Riordan, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity 

Introduction

“Christ has no hands but ours” Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

Over the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to see our students and staff through the LENS of our College.  I have witnessed the hands of Christ being Liberating, Empowering and Nurturing. Watching students help, include, and care for one another encourages me to stay focused on our school charisms and continue using my hands for Christ’s work. 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

One in eight Australians are living in poverty, one in six are children. 

Poverty exists.
Poverty hurts us all. 
We can all do something about it. 

Anti-Poverty Week Coalition

We are launching our Vinnies Christmas Appeal this week. This year, students have decided to go with a “Can-Can for Christmas” appeal, and while we will still accept any grocery items, the focus is on canned goods. This will run until Week 8.  

Some of our Christmas hampers are starting to take shape while some are a bit bear. It is around about this time of the term that donations start to roll in at a good rate and I would strongly encourage every family to think about what they can donate and why it’s important to donate.

Pope Francis reminds us. “Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters; what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.” 

Praxis – Years 7 - 10

As part of their study of Catholic Social Teaching in Religious Education, students in Years 7 – 10 have been asked to complete a few hours of community service and reflect on how this links to the Catholic worldview. This has been occurring throughout the year, but some students are still yet to complete these service hours. All Years 7 – 10 teachers will be addressing, once again, some options for how these service hours might be completed by students over the next two weeks. Please chat with your child/children and ask them how they are going with their Praxis. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your child/children’s RE teacher directly.  Praxis tasks are due shortly.

Year Level Mass and PC liturgies

Our Year 11 students attended Mass at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday for the last time this year. Year 10 through to Year 7 will still be attending Mass when rostered on until the last week of term. Mass commences at 9am and parents are more than welcome to join us. Students will return to school in time for period 2.  

PC liturgies will continue each Wednesday throughout Term 4.  PC liturgies are a time for each PC class to pause, connect, embrace and reflect on scripture.

Prayer

Prayer for the Poor

Loving God,

You hear the cry of each of your children,

And especially those who are suffering. 

We pray that we too might hear the cries of people in need:

The family crying out for food…The migrant child crying out for his mother…

The youth crying out for education…

The farmer crying out for rains for his harvest…

The trafficked and abused, crying out for freedom…

All who are poor and vulnerable, crying out for help…

Lord, open our hearts that we may hear

The cries of the poor as you do

And respond as your hands and feet on earth.

In your name we pray,

Amen.

Venerable Catherine McAuley…Pray for us.

Edmund Rice…Pray for us.

Our Lady…Pray for us. 

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

(71) Prayer for the Poor by Bd. Teresa of Calcutta - YouTube