From the Principal

Prayer

A Mother’s Day Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, 

You chose to put yourself – tiny, needy and helpless

into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. 

Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, 

in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. 

Inspired by this example, 

we, too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. 

Bless these women, that they may be strengthened 

as Christian mothers and nurturers. 

Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. 

Grant that we, their sons and daughters, 

honour them always with a spirit of profound love and respect.

We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Venerable Nano Nagle, Pray for us

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and friends of Domremy

Welcome Back

A very warm welcome back to Term 2, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful and restful break, and that your Easter celebrations were filled with joy and peace. As we embark on this new term, I have no doubt it will be as energising and fabulous as the last! We have a vibrant calendar ahead, including Mother’s Day, the Athletics Carnival, Domremy Day, and our highly anticipated College Musical – GREASE!

Pope Francis

It is with a profound sense of shared sorrow that we reflect on the passing of Pope Francis. His tenure was marked by a constellation of compelling traits, deeply rooted in his identity as the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.

One of the most defining aspects of his papacy was how he lived his life according to the example set by St Ignatius and his embodiment of the Ignatian spirit of discernment. This wasn’t just an intellectual exercise for him; it permeated his approach to leadership, emphasising prayerful reflection, careful consideration of context, and a deep listening to the movements of the Holy Spirit. It helped inform his decisions and his engagement with the complex issues which are facing the Church and the world particularly at this time.

He was undeniably a reformist, not in the sense of discarding core doctrines, but in his tireless efforts to reshape the structures and culture of the Church. He championed greater synodality, a “journeying together”, seeking to involve the voices of the laity and bishops from around the globe in decision-making processes. His reforms aimed to foster a more pastoral and outward-looking and inclusive Church, one that actively engaged with the marginalized and those on the peripheries, for which he was well known and by whom he was well loved. 

Pope Francis was also widely recognized for his broad-mindedness. He demonstrated an openness to dialogue with people of different faiths and those holding diverse perspectives. His willingness to engage with complex social and ethical issues with nuance and empathy resonated with many, even beyond the Catholic Church.

His intellectual depth was evident in his writings, homilies, and addresses. While his language was often accessible and direct, it was underpinned by a profound understanding of theology, philosophy, and the social sciences. He could articulate complex ideas in a way that was both engaging and thought-provoking, drawing on a rich intellectual tradition synonymous with St Ignatius.

Ultimately, Pope Francis lived the Jesuit motto “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” – “for the greater glory of God” – with everything he had. This wasn’t just another motto for him; it was the driving force behind his actions and his vision for the Church. His dedication manifested in his tireless work ethic, his unwavering commitment to justice and peace, and his profound love for humanity.  His life was fully committed to serving God’s greater glory through his actions and leadership.

Pope Francis’ legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for these qualities and the profound impact he had on the Catholic Church and the world stage.

Pope Leo XIV

In joyful anticipation, on Friday, 9 May 2025, we woke to the resounding news from the Vatican, “Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!” The Cardinals, gathered in the sacred space of the Sistine Chapel, had elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pontiff, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV (Vatican News). What a significant moment as we embrace Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, as our first American Pope. His life as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, his dedicated service as a missionary bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, and his leadership within the Vatican speak volumes of his devotion.  

Pope Leo XIV arrives with the deep wellspring of spirituality inherent in religious life, a passionate missionary spirit eager to share the Good News “to the ends of the earth,” and a tender pastoral heart grounded in the beauty of simplicity, community, and service to others. His first words, a message of peace reminding us that “God loves us without limits or conditions,” touch our hearts profoundly.  

Let us unite in heartfelt prayer for Pope Leo XIV as he begins this sacred and vital journey, asking for divine guidance to imbue him with wisdom, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to the unity of our Church.

Mother’s Day

On Sunday 11 May, we celebrate Mother’s Day, a special day for the women in our lives who care for us and who have taught us the gifts of life and love. On Thursday 8 May, we gathered at 7:30am for a beautiful Mass in our Brenda Quinn Hall, and were treated to a delicious breakfast planned, prepared and served by our Years 11 Hospitality students. It was wonderful to see many mothers, grandmothers, aunts and friends gathered together for this special occasion. I take the opportunity to wish all our mothers a happy and blessed Mother’s Day and hope we can all find time in which to honour them, those with us and those who are in Heaven.

On a final note…

In closing, I want to shine a light on the wonderful achievements of two of our students. A huge congratulations to Ava, one of our Year 11 Hospitality students on her selection to the Youth Partnership Council! You can read more about her exciting opportunity in this issue. This fantastic achievement acknowledges her potential to influence key decisions in workplace learning and VET, providing her with a significant voice for change and invaluable leadership and career growth. We are so proud that Ava is one of only ten students chosen from the south-eastern Sydney region. We look forward to her sharing her journey at an Assembly and through our newsletter.

We also extend our warmest congratulations to Isabella, our exceptional Year 12 Dragon Boating champion! Her remarkable talent and hard work have earned her a place on the Australian team for the World Championships in Germany this July, where she will compete against numerous nations. Her journey, marked by bronze medals at the Worlds in Italy, a collection of medals at the Australian Championships, and gold at the State level, is truly inspiring. Isabella’s commitment and passion exemplify the rewards of dedication. We are incredibly proud to have her represent Domremy on the national and international stage. Isabella, we wish you all the very best as you prepare for Germany – the entire Domremy community is behind you!

We’ve enjoyed a smooth start to the new term and warmly welcome all our new students and their families. I am confident they will quickly feel at home within our caring Domremy community. Finally, my sincere thanks to our dedicated staff for their exceptional work in nurturing the young women in our care.

With blessings to you and your families.

Mrs Antoinette McGahan 

College Principal