From the Principal
Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Blessed are You O Lord
who gives us life and all things.
Lead us into repentance and
renew our lives with your grace.
May the crosses of ashes that mark our
foreheads be a reminder that we belong to your Son.
May our worship and prayer be sustained
throughout these days of Lent.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Source: Easter Prayers for Lent and Easter, a Lenten booklet.
This prayer resource is from the website of St Columban’s Mission Society]
Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us
Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff
Prayers for Pope Francis
As we are all aware, Pope Francis has been facing significant health challenges recently. Our Holy Father was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago with a reported severe respiratory infection, which later developed into double pneumonia, placing him in a critical condition, with more recent reports of him being stable and showing signs of improvement. A Holy See Press Office communiqué on Thursday evening (Rome time), confirms that Pope Francis’ clinical con
dition continues to show improvement. You can read more here.
Prayers for Pope Francis’ recovery have been pouring in from around the world. Interfaith groups, world leaders, and Catholic communities have all expressed their support and well-wishes, and nightly rosary prayers are being held in St. Peter’s Square. Let us join with the global Catholic community, united in prayer, to pray for the Pope’s swift return to health. We trust in the Lord to hear our prayers for the Holy Father’s full recovery and return to his apostolic mission.
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Francis,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for Him.
Excerpt from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. [ Courtesy of: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-pope-francis]
Lenten Season
The Lenten season commences this Wednesday, 5 March. A time of reflection, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter. During this period, as we mirror the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, many Christians practice fasting, giving up certain luxuries or habits, and engaging in acts of charity and devotion. It is a time for personal growth, spiritual renewal, and deepening one’s faith. We are encouraged throughout this season to focus on repentance, self-discipline, and preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. We are guided in this season by Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s Lenten Penance, which you will find later in this issue.
In other news
I hope this issue finds you well. As we embark on a new month, I would like to take the opportunity early on in the year, to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the students, teachers, and parents for their dedication and hard work over the past weeks. Your continued support and enthusiasm are what make our school a truly special place to learn and grow. It is heartening to have the academic year start on such a high and it promises to be a great year.
One of the highlights of March is our annual College Open Day, which stands
as our largest community event of the year. This event is of paramount importance as it offers a unique opportunity for prospective students and their families to explore our campus, engage with our dedicated faculties
and our wonderful students, and experience firsthand the vibrant and inclusive community that defines our College. We look forward to welcoming you all and showcasing the exceptional educational opportunities we provide.
Looking ahead, we have our annual Swimming Carnival next Friday, which brings an element of additional excitement this year, as it will be the first official event at which our two new colour Houses, Joseph 
and Siena, are participating! I encourage all students to participate and showcase their talents. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, celebrate sportsmanship, and create lasting memories and, with the current warm weather, the Carnival’s Beach Party! theme is particularly well chosen!
Last but certainly not the least, as we look ahead to Term 2, I want to highlight our College Musical, a remarkable production that you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t had the chance to experience one of our College Musicals before, I highly encourage you to mark your calendars and join us! The rehearsals are progressing well and will soon enter their final stages. From 
what I’ve observed during the after-school practices, we are truly in for another phenomenal treat. I want to commend our talented students and dedicated Musical Staff for their enthusiasm and the countless hours they are pouring into this spectacular show. The grand reveal is just around the corner, and believe me, you’re in for an unforgettable experience!
On a final note …
I would also like to thank all the Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and Year 11 parents who attended the Curriculum and Assessment Information Evenings last week. These meetings are incredibly important for fostering open communication and collaboration between parents and teachers, ensuring that every student receives the support and guidance they need to succeed. Your involvement and dedication are greatly appreciated.
I wish our Public Speakers the best of luck for Round 1 of the CSDA Public Speaking Competition which commences this evening at Catherine McAuley College, Westmead. Knock it out of the park ladies! We are all behind you.
Our Try Domremy for a Day Program is back again this year, building on the successes of previous years. Information on dates and how to register online is available later in this issue. I encourage you and any family and friends who may wish to have their Years 4, 5 and 6 daughter attend, to register online as places are highly sought after and limited. Registration for Year 5 students has now opened.
At this time of year Applications for Enrolment are also coming in. If you know of family or friends considering a high school education for their daughters, please extend an invitation to them to join us for Open Day on Sunday 9 March, and/or call our Enrolment Officer about submitting an Application for Enrolment. Applications for Year 7 2027 are filling quickly and interviews are being scheduled for March.
I look forward to seeing you at our Open Day.
Blessings on you and your families,
Mrs Antoinette McGahan, College Principal