From the Religious Education Coordinator

In our Church … 

Pope Leo XIV proclaims a “Special Year of St Francis”

Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 a “Special Year of St Francis”, honouring the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.

Our Domremy community is invited to pause and reflect on the life of St Francis of Assisi – a saint whose message of peace, humility, and joy still speaks powerfully to us today. His life reminds our students that faith is not only something we learn about, but something we live through our choices and actions each day.

St Francis teaches us that holiness can be found in simple moments: showing kindness to others, caring for our environment, and treating everyone with dignity and respect. He encourages us to look beyond possessions and status, and instead notice God’s presence in people, nature, and everyday life. His words, “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible,” invite our students to believe that even small acts of goodness can make a real difference.

Throughout this special year, students will engage in prayer, learning, and service opportunities that reflect the values St Francis lived so beautifully – care for creation, compassion for those in need, peacemaking, gratitude, and joyful simplicity. Inspired by his call to be instruments of peace, our students are encouraged to bring love, understanding, and hope into their classrooms, playgrounds, and wider community, helping to create a school where everyone feels valued and connected.

May this Year of St Francis inspire each of us to live as people of peace, welcoming one another with the same spirit St Francis shared when he greeted others with, “Peace and all good.”

A Prayer for the Year of St Francis

Lord, make us instruments of Your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let us sow love. 

Where there is injury, pardon. 

Where there is doubt, faith. 

Where there is despair, hope. 

Where there is darkness, light. 

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, 

grant that we may not so much seek 

to be consoled as to console, 

to be understood as to understand, 

to be loved as to love. 

For it is in giving that we receive, 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

Amen.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

Sydney Catholic Schools System Theme 2026

Trust in the Lord for True Peace and Strength “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

This year’s System Theme – “Trust in the Lord for true peace and strength” – responds to Pope Leo’s chosen Scripture for the 2027 World Youth Day, namely, “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Being a disciple of Jesus has never been an easy task. The Scriptures tell us of the struggles of the first disciples in preaching the risen Christ. They were beset with slanders, imprisonment, scourgings and even martyrdom. Ordinarily, such pressures would deter anyone from wanting to follow Jesus, but the early followers of Jesus were promised help and were aided by the Holy Spirit.  

As teachers, we are today’s disciples and apostles of Jesus. We face our own unique challenges and struggles and often feel tested in our mission. We enjoy many helps, professionally and otherwise, however, what assistance the early disciples had is still available to us today, namely, the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit has been sent to us by Jesus from the Father. He is the Spirit of courage and strength, and he is always available to aid anyone who calls upon him.

So, in the midst of our own professional struggles, let us invoke the aid of the Holy Spirit to give us the courage and strength to overcome our daily difficulties, giving us a share in the same peace and victory Jesus himself enjoyed.

2026 marks the beginning of a three-year journey of preparation and renewal toward the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney (2028). This journey invites our Domremy community to deepen their love of the Eucharist, enrich liturgical life, and grow through prayer and formation. The Congress theme — “This is My Body, Given for You” — draws us into reflection on Christ’s self-giving love and His Real Presence among us.Inspired by the spirit of World Youth Day (2026–2027), Sydney Catholic Schools Action calls us to place our trust in Christ, who brings true peace and strength in every challenge. 

We are called to form faith-filled, compassionate and courageous witnesses of hope, confident that Jesus has already overcome the world.

Heavenly Father,

Inspire this entire faith community,

as we prayerfully discern new horizons for being joyful witnesses to hope

in the lives and communities of the People of God.

Lord Jesus,

Your life and teachings embody a love that can transform us.

You showed us how to bring hope to the hopeless.

Through Baptism we are called to be your disciples and model this in both word and deed. Walk with us, as we renew the Church together.

Holy Spirit,

Stir within us an awareness of God’s call.

Enliven us with the creativity, energy and joy of youth;

Guide us together, as we strive to offer God’s hope in active service to those who feel abandoned or outcast.

Empower us to be courageous; like the prophet Isaiah.

Give us the strength to do your will as we proclaim the message that “those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” to everyone we encounter, knowing that you are always faithful to your promises.

We make this commitment through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.  Amen.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us.

In our Community …

The Religious Education and Mission and Identity Team

We are delighted to introduce our Religious Education and Mission and Identity Team. Together, this team supports the Religious Education curriculum while nurturing the faith life of our College through faith formation, evangelisation and social justice initiatives.

At Domremy, faith, service, and education are at the heart of all we do. Our work is centred on forming the whole person—strengthening students in their faith, encouraging them to give generously through service and action, and supporting their growth as compassionate, engaged members of our community.

In our Community … Prayer life at Domremy

At Domremy College, prayer is at the heart of who we are. Our vibrant prayer life offers meaningful opportunities for both students and staff to pause, reflect, and deepen their relationship with God, while nurturing a strong sense of community and belonging.

Throughout the year, we are blessed to offer a variety of prayer experiences that support faith formation and invite everyone to grow spiritually. These include Bible Study, opportunities for Reconciliation, praying the Rosary together, and Morning Prayer—each providing space for reflection, guidance, and connection with God in the midst of busy school life.

These moments of prayer not only strengthen individual faith but also help shape our shared identity as a Catholic learning community. They remind us of the importance of taking time to be still, to listen, and to support one another on our faith journeys.

As Lent fast approaches, we look forward to our Lenten Program, a special time of prayer, reflection, and action that invites students and staff to prepare their hearts for Easter through prayer, fasting, and acts of service. This sacred season encourages us to grow in compassion, gratitude, and awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives.

We are grateful for the commitment of staff and students who engage so wholeheartedly in these prayer opportunities, helping to foster a culture of faith, hope, and love across Domremy College. Together, we continue to build a community grounded in prayer, where everyone is encouraged to grow spiritually and walk more closely with Christ.

Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator