Preparation for the Trial HSC has been underway for Yr 12 Studies of Religion teachers during Term 2. Studies have had the opportunity to attend after school revision lectures on Jewish Marriage, Jewish Bioethics, Moses Maimonides and Religion in Australia post 1945. We have been blessed to have teachers willing to assist with these sessions and I appreciate the support of Mr Ndaria for presenting on Jewish Bioethics and Mrs Fetterplace for presenting on Religion in Australia post 1945, a presentation Mrs Fetterplace has conducted in many schools throughout NSW and ACT in recent years.

During the last week of Term 2, Year 12 students also attended the SOR Focus Day at Australian Catholic University, organised by Sydney Catholic Schools. On this day students attended 4 lectures of their own choice to support their revision and preparation on topics studied throughout the SOR course. Students attended lectures on Religion & Non-Religion, Christian Baptism, Christian Bioethics, Paul of Tarsus and Aboriginal Spirituality, just to name a few of the options available.

It has been the intent of the Year 12 SOR teaching team to provide students with many opportunities to support their studies and preparation for the Trial HSC and the final HSC examinations. We look forward to seeing the fruits of these efforts.

Recently the Cabramatta PCYC celebrated the contribution Fr Mac has made to the Cabramatta community and his dedication to also supporting the opportunities offered through the Cabramatta PC.

It was a great honour that our students from Cabramatta parish were invited to attend a ceremony to recognise Fr Mac and to witness the renaming of the basketball court at Cabramatta PCYC as the           Fr McAuliffe Basketball Court. For generations to come, all will be able to know the great works of Fr Mac in the local area, especially to basketball and the youth of the region.

I wish to thank all the students who volunteered to attend the day and who too were very moved by this recognition of Fr Mac.

The MMCC WYD students have arrived safely in europe, having left our shores early Sunday 17th July. They have spent the past week in Italy, visiting visiting Rome, Vatican City, Siena, Assisi and Florence. Our WYD pilgrims are now in Poland participating in WYD events, that include catechesis, prayer, reconciliation, Mass and entertainment from prominent Catholic musicians. WYD will conclude with a night of prayer at the evening vigil and the Papal Mass the next day. We continue to pray for our pilgrims. May God be ever present with them and keep them safe on their journey.

At the beginning of September, Sydney Catholic Schools will celebrate Life Week. This focuses on the sacredness of life and the dignity of the human person. This years theme focus on every Catholic answering the call to be Christ’s light to others, exemplified through the life of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a champion of the poor and a defender of society’s most vulnerable, answering the call to bring Christ to all as she helped all created in God’s image, valuing life and the dignity of all.

Students are invited to take part in Life Week by competing in the “Come, be my light” competition and have the chance to win an ipad mini. Students are asked to submit a project in the form of an editorial, magazine article, report, essay, book, play script or poster that calls Christians to “Come, be my light” and brings to life the teachings of Blessed Mother Teresa.

Quotes for Year 7 to 10 entrants

“God still loves the world and He sends you and me to be his love and His compassion to the poor” Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

“Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work” Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Quote for Year 11 & 12 entrants

“Life is the most beautiful gift of God, therefore people and nations who destroy life by abortion and euthanasia are the poorest. No human hand should be raised to kill life, since life is God’s life in us.”

For further details please refer to the information emailed to all students by Mrs Flanagan. Students making submissions, must do so to Mrs Flanagan by recess Friday 12th September, so entries can be submitted on time to Sydney Catholic Schools.

Mrs Flanagan

Leader of Learning – Catholic Life & Religious Education