We are surrounded by the beauty of spring and immersed in the Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October. This sacred time invites us to pause and reflect on God’s gift of creation and our shared responsibility to care for the Earth. As we reflect, we are reminded of Fr Julian Tenison Woods, co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph, whose deep appreciation for the natural world inspires us to continue his legacy of environmental stewardship.
During the school holidays, I encourage you to spend time in nature, reflecting on how you can contribute to the care of our world. Whether through prayer, small actions, or simply being present in creation, each step we take helps build a more sustainable future. I also invite you to watch this brief but powerful 2-minute reflection from Pope Francis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=yybxtLFNHCw&feature=youtu.be
In a similar spirit of care, the Church also observes the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on 29 September, with the theme ‘God walks with His people.’ Pope Francis invites us to see Christ in migrants and extend our compassion to those in need, especially as millions around the world are displaced by war, persecution, economic instability, and climate change. From the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the crises affecting the Middle East and the Pacific, the call to welcome and support migrants is more pressing than ever. You can find a prayer card and additional resources through the Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office.
https://acmro.catholic.org.au/wdmr/2024
When we return from school holidays, please look out for details about our Christmas Appeal. This initiative will outline how we can support our local St Vincent de Paul Society Conference, Laverton and Altona Meadows by contributing to hampers for families in need. Although it may seem early, with Christmas items already appearing in our local shops, we will have only a few months to encourage our students to bring in non-perishable food and other valuable items. Additionally, we will be focusing on World Mission Month in October, with opportunities to support Catholic Mission’s vital work through some smaller fundraisers. I look forward to our collective efforts to support those in need upon our return to Term 4.
The Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools (AJASS) hosted its annual Year 10 Pilgrimage from 27-30 August, offering a deeply enriching experience for students across Josephite schools in the South East cluster. This year, our College had the privilege of sending four Year 10 students: Mia Munro, Emilie Blight, Arden Roche, and Daxi Li, accompanied by Solomon House Leader, Ms Claire Louden.
Over the four days, students delved into the rich history of the Josephite charism, learning how St. Mary MacKillop's vision continues to inspire us today. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our students embraced the opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow in both faith and understanding of what it means to live out the values of St. Mary MacKillop. Mia Munro and Emilie Blight share their reflections below.
“Throughout the pilgrimage, we engaged in reflective activities, prayer, and discussions that encouraged us to contemplate our own faith journeys and spiritual growth. By experiencing firsthand the environment that shaped Mary MacKillop's commitment to education and social justice, we were inspired to carry forward her legacy in our own lives and communities.
The pilgrimage provided a unique opportunity for personal growth, allowing us to forge bonds and friendships with the other AJASS school students. We created lasting memories that strengthened our sense of community within our Catholic school network.
We faced many challenges on our journey, such as the poor weather at some of the locations we visited. From Portland’s cold temperatures to the hazardous winds at the Apostles, these challenges strengthened our bond with one another and gave us a sense of the struggles Mary MacKillop may have faced along her own journey.
We made lasting friendships with our fellow pilgrims and created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. The AJASS pilgrimage was a fantastic experience, and we hope future pilgrims will enjoy it as much as we did!”
Year 9 Reflection Day, Friday 20 August 2024
“On Reflection Day, the Year 9 students had the opportunity to participate in a day full of engaging activities and collaboration, led by Youth Mission Team Australia (YMT). We had plenty of chances to team up with friends and work with new people. Hearing personal stories from some of the speakers was especially meaningful, as they shared how these experiences brought them closer to God. The group leaders guided us through various topics, with the central theme focusing on belonging and relationships. It was a safe and welcoming environment where we could be open and vulnerable with our classmates.
By Charlotte Le Faucheur & Tamsyn Buttigieg, Year 9H
Anne Severi - Director of Catholic Identity
