From the Religious Education Coordinator – In our Church …
In our Church …
This week in our Liturgical Church calendar has been a truly special one, as we celebrate two significant feasts: Pentecost and the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.
Pentecost: 24 May
Pentecost, celebrated on May 24 is a Christian holiday, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter, that celebrates the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31). The day of Pentecost is known in the Christian Church as the day on which the Spirit descended upon the apostles. Guided by Peter’s preaching, many thousands were converted in Jerusalem.
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Breathe into our weary hearts Your divine life,
comfort us in our trials,
and ignite us with the zeal to share Your truth.
Transform our fears into courage,
that we may boldly witness to the Risen Christ.
Amen.
Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for Us.
Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians: 25 May
Pope Pius VII established the feast in honour of Our Lady Help of Christians in 1815.
After being imprisoned by Napoleon, he established the feast in thanksgiving for his release. Australia, a new colony at that time, had no Catholic priests and therefore no Mass available. The faithful recited and relied on the Rosary to sustain the Catholic community. In 1844, Australia became the first country in the world to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness.
Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, Pray for us.
Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for Us.
Our Presentation Community …
Presentation Schools Collaborative Meeting
Domremy College was delighted to host this term’s Presentation Schools Collaborative Meeting, welcoming leaders and staff from our Sydney Presentation schools to continue strengthening our shared mission inspired by Venerable Nano Nagle. The gathering provided a rich opportunity to connect, share initiatives, and plan future collaborative projects that keep the Presentation charism alive in our communities. We reflected on Nano Nagle through this reflection thinking about how we act on “Deeds not Words” in our time and place?
REFLECTION:
In her day, Nano rejected the role of a helpless hand wringing bystander.
In our day, we are summoned to nothing less
lantern in hand to journey into worlds gone dark.
(Deeds not Words, C Murray, Wisdom Whispers, Dec 2025)
How do we act on “Deeds not Words” in our time and place?
WE PRAY:
Renew in us Nano’s boldness to
risk everything for the sake of justice,
her tenderness toward those in need,
and her enduring trust in your Divine Providence.
May the lantern she carried shine through our lives, guiding us to be light for others, just as she was light in the darkness. Amen
(cf Our Flame of Hope, A. Moran, Wisdom Whispers, Dec 2025)
We look forward to gathering again in Term 4, continuing our commitment to walk in Nano’s footsteps with courage, compassion and hope.
Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator