{"id":19517,"date":"2026-02-03T16:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T05:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/?post_type=article&p=19517"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:47:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T05:47:52","slug":"deputy-principal-mission-and-pastoral-care-37","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/article\/deputy-principal-mission-and-pastoral-care-37\/","title":{"rendered":"Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

2026 College Theme: Accept the Invitation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday 3 February we held our Year 7-12 Opening Mass. At this Mass I introduced to the students our College theme for 2026 \u2013 Accept The Invitation. This theme will be explored and enacted in so many ways throughout 2026 from Mary Bailey House through to Year 12, with our staff and with our families. Below you will find the reflection delivered at the Opening Mass for Year 7-12 students where we introduced our theme and what it will mean for us in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we begin this new school year together, I would like to start with a line from Scripture that feels a bit like God whispering directly to each of us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have called you by name. You are mine.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a reminder that God doesn\u2019t just see \u201cSanta Sabina students.\u201d
God sees you<\/em>.
Your name.
Your story.
Your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this year, our theme \u2013 Accept the Invitation<\/strong> \u2013 is God\u2019s gentle nudge to each one of us. Not a push, not a demand. An invitation<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what exactly are we being invited to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. An invitation to relationship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re invited into friendships that are real, kind and brave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may mean sitting with someone new at lunch.
It may mean repairing a friendship after a falling out.
It may mean including someone who might feel left out.
It may mean being honest, compassionate and courageous \u2013 even when it\u2019s awkward or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, our Santa Sisters Buddy Programs, our homerooms and many other  College activities will focus on hospitality, belonging and connection. Our College theme will remind us that relationships are where courage is lived out day by day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This invitation is also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. An invitation to purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

God has created each of us with gifts \u2013 some we know already, some we are still discovering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting this invitation means being brave enough to try something new or to ask for help or to admit we don\u2019t know something yet<\/em>.
It means being confident enough to name your strengths.
And being wise enough to make decisions based on your values\u2014not what\u2019s popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, through your learning, your involvement in co-curriculars and service and leadership opportunities you\u2019ll have so many chances to grow into who God is calling you to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly this theme is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. An invitation to action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because we are Dominican, we don\u2019t just talk<\/em> about justice \u2013 we live<\/em> it. Justice is not something we do it is who we are and how we live each day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action doesn\u2019t always look big or dramatic. Sometimes it\u2019s simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n