Director of Mission

Athena Costopoulos

Mercy Girls in Action

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” – Pope Francis

Lent is a significant season in the year for Catholics. It is a time of fasting and self-reflection. It lasts for just over six weeks leading up to Easter. This term MGIA turns its focus to CARITAS and its Project Compassion. CARITAS supports long-term development programs in impoverished communities in Africa, Asia, Indigenous Australia and the Pacific — helping oppressed people to rediscover their dignity by taking greater control over their lives and overcoming poverty. During Lent, Mercy Girls invites the College to help raise awareness and stand in solidarity with the millions of people in need across the world. We are promoting some healthy competition between PC groups to raise money for this worthy cause. The winning PC Group will be awarded a pizza party.

MGIA students sold pancakes on Shrove Tuesday to raise money for Project Compassion.

MGIA girls joined with the Reef Guardians for Clean Up Australia Day.

Care For Our Common Home is a whole school focus in 2020 and beyond.

McAuley Ministry

“We should be shining lamps giving light to all around us.” – Catherine McAuley

This year St Patrick’s College has launched a new extracurricular group. McAuley Ministry, named for our foundress, Catherine McAuley, a trailblazer who responded to the great challenges of her time and championed new ways of being Church. This extracurricular group will be led by the Faith and Identity Prefect, and aims to organise and support the prayer and liturgical life of the College.

I would like to acknowledge the young women of St Patrick’s College who support McAuley Ministry:

The Liturgy Choir

The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

The Altar Servers

The Student Lenten Group

The Bishop’s Youth Ambassadors

Director of Mission, Ms Athena Costopoulos with Student Leaders, Youth Ambassadors Bishop Tim and College Principal, Ms Amber Hauff

Ash Wednesday Liturgies

The College celebrated the beginning of Lent during the Ash Wednesday House Liturgies. Our girls were reminded to implore justice through prayer, stand in solidarity through our fasting and reach out through giving.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Last week twelve students completed their training with Ms Seana Mokrzecki from Mary Help of Christians Parish to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. This training is offered each year to students from Years 10, 11 and 12. The girls must have received all their sacraments in order to be eligible. They will now take on the very important liturgical role of assisting the priest to distribute the bread and wine during our College masses. During assembly they were presented with a Eucharistic Minister prayer card and medallion.

Ali Thomas

Elisabeth Shaju

Anastacia Barton

Roslyn Ballard

Ella Barra

Haylie Emanuel

Jamie Mohr

Norma Owens

Olive-Rose Pearson

Sophie Rupp

Sierra Sibley

Maleta Warrior

Sacramental Program

As part of the Parish program, St Patrick’s College offers students the opportunity to prepare for their Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. This program aims to deepen students’ learning about their faith and their connection to God. Please email the Director of Mission if your daughter would like to take part in the Sacramental Program in May – acostopoulos@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au

TOGETHER WE PRAY

God of all wholeness,

heal our hearts

of all that prevents us from responding

to our sisters and brothers

excluded by poverty

and prevented from living a full and healthy life.

This lent, may we:

implore justice through our prayer,

stand in solidarity through our fasting,

and reach out through our giving.

Send your life-giving power

to revive the weary,

restore the broken

and renew the face of the earth.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen