We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith.
Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family.
Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest.
Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.
We thank you for all in our community that cares for us.
May we always be conscious of You in our lives.
Amen
Father’s Day Mass & Breakfast
On Friday 2 September we celebrated our annual Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast. It was a great opportunity to give thanks to God for the wonderful gift of ‘fatherhood.’ It was so beautiful to see the church filled with dads, grandfathers and father figures celebrating the Eucharist together. Fr Joel who presided the Mass, gave a special blessing to the fathers present. We also were accompanied by the College Chamber Choir who lead us in singing various hymns at the mass. Following the Mass, we all gathered in the cafeteria for an enjoyable breakfast served by our canteen ladies. I would like to thank all who assisted and attended this event.
Live Fully Act Justly Day
In recent days it has been extraordinary to witness the century old traditions taking place for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The pomp and ceremony and protocols at times seems like we are being taken back in time. The occasion reminds us of the great importance of tradition and rituals in our society.
Traditions reinforce values that we commonly share and remind us of the principles we aspire to. Tradition gives us a sense of belonging and comfort and allows us to unite as one community. They also serve as an avenue for creating memories for us to cherish over time and to share these memories with new members of our community.
A tradition important to our college is Live Fully Act Justly Day and on Friday 9 September, we were finally able to celebrate after two years of being cancelled due to covid restrictions and lockdowns.
Appropriately, the mass was taken from the optional memorial of the day of St Peter Claver, a Jesuit missionary who spent his life in the service of African slaves brought against their will to South America during the 17th Century.
For forty years, Peter Claver dedicated his life to helping the slaves arriving in Cartagena, both physically and spiritually. He treated each of these slaves from Africa as his sister and brother in Christ and he insisted that others treat them the same way. When speaking about slaves, Peter Claver said, "We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips."
Fr Maurie Cooney reminded us of how Peter Claver is a great example of being a witness to our College Motto Live Fully Act Justly and encouraged us to respond to our call by growing in virtue through faith, prayer, liturgy and knowing and living the life of Christ so that we to may be able to aspire to do great things.
Term 4 - Weekly Friday 8am Mass
A reminder that weekly Friday 8am Mass (8:00-8:25am) will commence on Friday 7 October and every Friday thereafter in Term 4 (unless otherwise advised) at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church located on the school grounds.
All students and their families are welcome to attend. It is a wonderful opportunity to begin the day in contemplation and prayer, listening to the word of God and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I encourage all those who are able to attend.
Sunday Gospel Reflection
Twenty-Fifth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Luke 16:1-13
Weekend Parish Mass Times
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Caroline Springs
