In Our Community…

Father Daughter Mass 

Last Wednesday we celebrated our Father Daughter Mass and Breakfast at Marist Sisters’ College. It was a morning of celebration and community spirit. Students and their Fathers, Father Figures and Grandfathers celebrated the Eucharist together at Mass and then enjoyed a delicious breakfast with great company and a wonderful view on Cerdon Plaza.

On Father’s Day when we remember what it means to have a father or be a father, we recognise the importance of fathers in our community. Fathers come in many different forms;  Fathers who are working day and night to raise children, fathers who took in others’ children through adoption and foster care, fathers who are expecting, but aren’t quite fathers yet, and those fathers who have lost children and must carry on.  Fathers who right now have joined God in Heaven and whom we miss dearly here on earth. We pledge as a community to love and nurture the fathers and father figures among us so that they will manifest the love of God in all that they do.

I would like to thank all the teachers, support staff, students and parents that assisted with the mass and to Father Dan Drum from the Ryde/ Gladesville Parish for celebrated the Mass. A huge thank you to our parent helpers, support staff and teachers for cooking and serving the breakfast.  It was wonderful to see our Marist Sisters College community come together for such a significant event.

St Therese Collaborative Network – Stage 1 Faith Retreat

On Thursday, 5th  September, Year 10 students, Anna Frodsham and Leila Flynn had the opportunity to accompany Stage 1 students from St. Therese’s Primary School, Denistone on their Faith Retreat to St. Joseph’s in Baulkham Hills. In collaboration with Marist College, Eastwood, our students helped to facilitate the day. 

“On Thursday the 5th of September, we had the privilege to revisit our primary school, St Therese’s Primary School, Denistone to support the Stage 1 faith retreat. The day involved fostering connections with the younger students and strengthening their understanding of Christ’s presence in our lives. Throughout the day we took part in group work, storytelling and discussions with students aiming to encourage spiritual growth. We were also fortunate to visit St Joseph’s Chapel and experience the walk through the labyrinth further contributing to our spiritual takeaways. During break times we spent time playing with the students in the gardens and developed meaningful connections with the younger children. Accompanying our primary school was a truly rewarding and memorable experience allowing us to return back to our school community that played an enormous role in our own upbringings. On behalf of Leila and myself we would like to thank MSCW and St Therese’s Primary School Denistone for the opportunity to return to our primary school and support the learning of the younger students.”

• Anna Frosham and Leila Flynn, Year 10 Students

“Both students demonstrated Excellence during the retreat. Anna in particular was very helpful with engaging with students that presented challenging behaviours. She was able to respectfully and gently re-direct their behaviour. Leila connected very well with the younger students and supported the teachers to establish respect and reverence especially when we visited the chapel at St. Joseph’s.”

• Mr Justin Salar, Religious Education Coordinator, St. Therese’s Catholic Primary School, Denistone

Thank you Leila and Anna!

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2