ALL SAINTS DAY & ALL SOULS DAY
In our Church ……Upcoming…
ALL SAINTS DAY & ALL SOULS DAY
Next week we celebrate two very important dates in the Catholic liturgical calendar: All Saints Day and All Souls Day. 1 November celebrates All Saints Day, the day dedicated to the saints of the Church. 2 November celebrated The Commemoration of all the faithful departed. Based in the ancient practice of remembering a martyr’s death, usually at the place of martyrdom, All Saints Day reminds us
of those people in the history of Christianity who have sought to emulate the example of Christ and in doing so have provided strong models of faithfulness and loving service and sacrifice for others to follow. While celebrated since the 7th Century, it was Pope Gregory III in the mid 8th Century who formally pronounced 1 November as the Feast of All Saints. This Feast is also celebrated in Eastern Catholic Churches and some Protestant Churches. The following day, 2 November, the Church celebrates All Souls Day, the day dedicated to all those who have died. While praying for the dead is another ancient practice of the Church, it wasn’t until the end of the 10th Century that it became a widespread ritual.
Cultural practices have influenced the practice of these days. For example, in the Philippines the festival of Undas is celebrated with the cleaning the tombs, the lighting up candles, the offering of flowers and prayers for the souls of the departed. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead, an affirmation of life in which song and dance, parades and parties are symbolic of love for the departed.
In memory of all those who gone before us, let us pray:
God of the living and the dead, through the power of Christ’s resurrection you have conquered sin and death forever. Each day is a step we take toward eternity. May we continue, day to day, until we step into your eternal presence. Then we shall be reunited with those we love and every tear shall be wiped away.
In our Community
On Wednesday 22 October we were privileged to have been invited to attend St Joachim’s Parish in Lidcombe for the Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion Training Day.
This was facilitated by Dr Mariusz Biliniewicz, Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean of Research and Academic Development in the School of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Currently he serves as Director of the Liturgy Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
We engaged in a series of theological sessions and activities which focussed on the structure of the Mass, specifically the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We were also able to practise giving out and receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion. This allowed us to gain insight into the ministry of an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
It was an insightful experience for us all. We can’t wait to serve our College and Parish communities.
Thank you to Ms Isabella Bechara who accompanied us at the training. 
From Neve Pelizzari and Jessica Chamoun
GREAT NEWS STORY
Letters to Heaven: A Journey of Faith and Inspiration. Author: Pamela Chedid.
Domremy Alumna Publishes Poetic Tribute to Faith.
We are delighted to celebrate the literary achievement of Pamela Chedid, a proud Domremy College alumna from the Class of 1994, whose debut book ‘Letters to Heaven ‘is touching hearts across Australia and beyond.
A devout Catholic with a deep love for Christ, Pamela has long nurtured her poetic gifts. It was during the quiet and uncertainty of the 2020 lockdown that she felt a stirring call, to use her writing as a vessel of hope, comfort, and spiritual encouragement. Responding with grace and courage, she penned a series of heartfelt reflections that would become Letters to Heaven.
Rooted in the prayer, “My fate to your will oh Lord, my sins to your mercy and my soul into your hands,” this collection of poetic letters offers readers a gentle invitation to draw closer to God. Each piece radiates Pamela’s reverence, honesty and desire to glorify Christ through beauty and truth. Her words speak to those navigating sorrow, seeking joy or simply yearning for deeper connection on their personal journey of faith.
Pamela’s work is a testament to the enduring spirit of Domremy graduates—women of compassion, creativity, and conviction. We congratulate her on this inspiring milestone and encourage our community to explore Letters to Heaven, a book born of prayer and written with love. Please see the youtube podcast here: Letters to Heaven, Pamela Chedid. Writing through grief, loss, inspiration & peace. Parousia Podcast
In our Curriculum
SYDNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEST
On Tuesday 20 October, our students participated in the annual Sydney Catholic Schools Secondary Religious Education (RE) Test, which w
as completed online across all Catholic secondary schools in the Archdiocese.
The RE Test provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts from the Religious Education curriculum, including Scripture, Church history, prayer, sacraments, and Catholic social teaching. More importantly, it encourages reflection on how faith connects to everyday life and how we live out Gospel values in our world today.
We commend our students for their engagement, focus and reverence throughout the test. Their effort reflects a genuine commitment to deepening their knowledge of the Catholic faith and living it with integrity and compassion.
Results from the assessment will help teachers identify areas of strength and growth as we continue to nurture the faith life of each student through rich learning experiences in Religious Education.
We thank our staff and Sydney Catholic Schools for their ongoing support in ensuring that students are well-prepared and confident in expressing their faith and understanding.
Mrs Caroline Morizzi – Religious Education Coordinator