Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson
As we reach the end of our Second week of Lent, we can pause to reflect on our disciplines. Am I giving up something or taking up something that will be good for my relationship with God? Am I praying more? Have I performed some act of charity? If not, there is an opportunity to do so. As you know, the College supports everyone in their Lenten observance. At the moment Our Project Compassion Campaign has begun and Coolcock has begun leading the College in the collection of Easter eggs and Cards to be sent down to Stella Maris.
Currently, The College has begun an Easter Raffle where all proceeds go towards Project Compassion.
My Team Shop, a local business, has kindly donated a $500 voucher for sports merchandise from their website. See the flyer for more details.
Year 7 Reflection Day
On Shrove Tuesday, our College Leaders sold pancakes throughout the morning, with all proceeds supporting Project Compassion.
Year 7 students also took part in their Reflection Day on this day, spending time learning about the Mercy legacy they are now part of. They attended a production exploring the history of Mercy in Cronulla and then participated in activities designed to deepen their understanding of what it means to live out this tradition.
Ash Wednesday
The College celebrated Mass on Ash Wednesday with Fr James and the community of St Aloysius Primary School. It was wonderful to see so many parents joining us for this important liturgy. As the girls received their ashes, they were reminded to “Repent and be faithful to the Gospel.” This simple yet powerful phrase calls each of us to recognise that we all fall short of the glory of God and are continually invited to turn back to Him in our moments of weakness. God desires our happiness and wants us to flourish, and we cannot do this without His grace and guidance.
Year 8 Reflection Day
On 4 March, Year 8 took part in their Reflection Day. Mr Nolan from the St Vincent de Paul Society joined us to share the organisation’s work in schools, and the students prepared snack packs and cards for people in the local community who need support. In the afternoon, they learned about Caritas and how their contributions help vulnerable communities around the world
Connection to Parish
Many families have contacted me recently regarding the Sacraments. I encourage anyone interested to visit the website of their local parish to connect with and enrol in the Sacramental programs currently being offered. We now have 15 students exploring the possibility of receiving their Sacraments, with some joining parish programs and others taking part in a school‑based pathway.
The term continues to be full of events and opportunities for our students. A reminder that 17 March is St Patrick’s Day. Early Irish settlers looked to St Patrick as a patron saint, and he remains an important cultural and spiritual figure for many Catholics in Australia today.
Year 7 will hold a Bake Sale on 20 March, and Year 11 will attend their Senior Retreat in Week 10. We look forward to these moments of community, service, and reflection.
All families are warmly invited to join us for the Easter liturgies at the end of term. Some of our students have been invited to take part in the Holy Thursday Liturgy through the Washing of the Feet. On Good Friday, students will present the Stations of the Cross at 10am. We are seeking volunteers to read, sing, and act to help the parish community enter more deeply into this important tradition.
Ian Anderson, Religious Education Coordinator