Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson
System Theme
We have arrived at a New Year and have returned, I hope feeling rested and ready for work. The beginning of a new year is always busy, full of life, catching up with familiar friends and setting new habits. Perhaps you have begun the new year with a resolution. Psychologists say it takes 30 days to break a habit and another 30 to set a new one. If our resolutions have not stuck yet, keep going. It gets easier.
For those who may not have thought about a resolution, making a change for the year to grow, I find this year’s System theme to be very helpful. The Theme is “Trust in the Lord for true peace and strength”. This theme seems to be growing off last year’s theme of Hope. I ask myself, ‘do I trust that God will fulfil my needs’? My answer to that is yes. Jesus spoke much about how God cares for the birds who do not have a house and how he clothes the lilies of the valley. Their needs are taken care of just as ours. My real reflection has been on the words of St Matthew,
“I have only one thing to do today; follow him. The rest takes care of itself.” (Matthew 6)
I know I am going to have a bad day sometime this year. I am going to feel stressed at some stage, I am going to have moments of feeling alone or times where what I attempt to do will fall short of my hopes and dreams. The good news is that I have one thing to do today; follow him and the rest will take care of itself. Those moments of struggle are the moments God is the closest to me. The moments I should look closer at His movement in my life. Where can I grow and re-dedicate myself to following the Gospel. Let this be our resolution to follow him so the rest takes care of itself.
Catechist Training
This week a number of our Year 10 students began training as catechists. The Catechist programme, is a Sydney Catholic Schools initiative, encouraging upper high school students to enter into the local Public schools and teach a 25 minute scripture lesson. This is the first time our College has participated in this programme and our students this year and into the future will minister to the students in Burraneer Bay Public school.
Year 7 Reflection Day
The Year 7 Reflection Day will take place at the College in the Mercy Centre on 17 February 2026. Whilst more details will be released on Compass, Year 7 will focus on understanding the life of Catherine McAuley and how this school (and themselves) fit into the Mercy story.
Opportunities for Parents and Families
In 2025 OLM celebrated twelve students who either received sacraments that they missed in Primary school or received the Sacrament of Baptism, entering into the Catholic Church. I have a number of students who would like to receive baptism already. This is another opportunity for more students who would like to be baptised or receive sacraments that may have been missed. While this might stand out for our new Year 7 students, please be aware that all students are encouraged and welcome to participate in this. It is my dream, regardless of how idealistic it may sound, that all students in our College come into full communion with the Church and embrace their relationship with Jesus.
I would also like to invite any parents who are not baptised or who have not completed their sacraments to also receive the sacraments. If you are considering this, or if this message is making you think about it, please feel free to reach out to me. I am happy to facilitate your journey in the Church and will guide you. Perhaps this is a journey you may wish to make as a family, or with your daughter. I will always make myself available via email or telephone if you wish to discuss these topics.
I once again welcome you back and I wish you all a blessed 2026.
Stella Maris Visits
Two OLM students wrote cards for every Stella Maris resident and visited them last week with a card and chocolate.
They truly put smiles on the residents’ faces and made a meaningful impact.
Thank you to them for their show of initiative and leadership, encouraging other students in the Mercy tradition by example.
Ian Anderson
Religious Education Coordinator