Assistant Principal - Mission

Congratulations to the following four students who achieved the Gold level status this week. 

Alexandra Ellis
Hailey Collins
Liam McDonnell
Addison English

A New Ambo

We would like to thank Mr Timo Gobius for his craftsmanship and generosity in designing and constructing a new Ambo for use in our College Liturgies. This piece was constructed out of Blackwood from the Northern Rivers to match our Altar.

Like the Altar, where the Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated, the Ambo is where the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated. The Catholic Mass is made up of these two liturgies.

The word 'Ambo' comes from a Greek word meaning ‘both.’ This is to symbolise the readings from both, the ambo and the lectern. The ambo is stationary and was designed for the minister of the word only. This is where the priest reads the Gospel and does the preaching. The lectern is movable and intended for readings other than the Gospel. In contemporary Catholic churches, in the Liturgy of the Word, all scripture readings occur at the Ambo.

We are so blessed to have such generous and skilled staff who use their gifts for the good of the community and our Catholic faith. Mr Gobius' new creation was used for the first time at the Year 11 Mass in our College Chapel this week. Thank you, Mr Gobius!

Year 11 Service Mass: A Celebration of Generosity and Community

From Heidi Flanagan, Leader of Student Wellbeing for Year 11.

On Wednesday morning, our College Chapel was filled with the spirit of service and community as we celebrated the Year 11 Service Mass. The students participated beautifully, with many volunteering for various roles, contributing to a heartfelt and meaningful celebration.

This Mass marked the culmination of a dedicated service initiative to raise funds and encourage volunteerism to support our local M.A.D Van. M.A.D, which stands for ‘Make A Difference’, serves the most vulnerable in our community, offering them a friendly face and a hot cup of coffee. The initiative has been a resounding success, raising $518 and inspiring 31 students to volunteer for the Wednesday morning service at Westport Park, next to the Marine Rescue building.

Our Year 12 students have been incredibly generous with their time and efforts in supporting this cause. As they now focus on their upcoming Trial exams, the baton of service is being passed to our Year 11 students. I cannot thank the beautiful and generous Year 11 students enough for their enthusiastic involvement in this initiative. Their commitment to making a difference in our community is truly inspiring.

Engaging in service not only benefits those in need but also provides personal wellbeing benefits for the volunteers. Serving others fosters a sense of purpose, builds empathy, and enhances social connections, all of which contribute to improved mental and emotional health. Our students' involvement in the MAD Van initiative is a testament to the positive impact that service can have on both the community and the individuals who serve.

We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their efforts and the positive change they will bring through their service.

Thank you, and congratulations, Year 11 and Pastoral Care teachers.

5:00pm Youth and Family Mass

SJRC hosts music and other ministries for the 5:00pm Mass at St Agnes Church this Sunday.

As a Catholic school, our connection with our parish community is essential. Each of the schools in our parish regularly provides the music and other liturgical ministries for our Sunday Masses. This Sunday, students and staff will be providing the music for the 5:00pm Youth and Family Mass. We warmly invite our college families to come along to this mass. You will see familiar faces and there will also be the Encounter Kick-On’s for all our young people. It is half an hour of fun and games directly after mass - led by Zac Parnell, our Parish Youth Coordinator.

We would love to see you there.

Vinnies’ Winter Appeal

Our Senior Student Leaders of Mission launched our Winter Appeal this week at our College assembly. Today, we had an out-of-uniform day for gold coins, warm blankets, and clothing. We are grateful for all donations, as these will support the many people in our community and beyond who may otherwise endure a cold and harsh winter.

From our day today, we raised approximately $1200, and we have a large amount of warm clothing and blankets that will be sorted and sent to our local Vinnies store.
Congratulations, and thank you to all of our families.

• A Hot Chocolate stall next Wednesday where students can purchase a warming drink before school for $3.

• A Colouring-in Competition with an entry fee of just 50 cents. Entries can be purchased at the Library any morning or lunchtime this week and next week.
• In Term 3, we have our Sleep-Out at MacKillop College. Stay tuned for more information about this. Students can source sponsors and then have a night “sleeping rough” at MacKillop that involves games, a guest speaker and a light, warm meal.

NAIDOC Week - Week 10

As has become our practice, we are celebrating NAIDOC Week in Week 10 this term. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The National celebration of NAIDOC Week will occur over the school holidays and events will run at various venues throughout the local area.

NAIDOC Week, celebrated annually in Australia, holds profound significance as it honours the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Originally emerging from the 1920s Aboriginal rights movement, NAIDOC Week has evolved into a nationwide event that fosters understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It features a variety of cultural activities, educational events, and community gatherings to celebrate Indigenous heritage and advocate for social justice. By highlighting themes reflecting contemporary issues and triumphs, NAIDOC Week is crucial in promoting awareness, respect, and unity across Australian society.

Some highlights for NAIDOC Week, Week 10 will include:

• BBQ and Drinks for sale during our Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. All money raised will go to charities with a strong Indigenous focus.
• A Special NAIDOC Week assembly on Wednesday, where will celebrate First Nations culture and hear from some local Aboriginal Elders. All families are invited to attend this special event.
• An out-of-uniform day on Wednesday with a Gold Coin donation to charities with a strong Indigenous focus. Students are asked to come in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags (either red, black, yellow, blue, green or white)
• Various activities during the lunchtimes throughout the week for all students.

Special Days in the Church Calendar

June 22

Saints John Fisher, Bishop & Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr - Optional Memorial
Saint John Fisher: 1469–1535
Invoked for: courage, and by those who are persecuted.
Saint Thomas More: 1478–1535
Patron Saint of: statesmen, politicians, lawyers, civil servants, court clerks, adopted children, large families, stepparents, and difficult marriages.
Canonised by Pope Pius XI on May 19, 1935

June 24

Birth of Saint John the Baptist - Solemnity
First Century: During the time of Saint John the Baptist’s birth, it was commonly believed that a woman's inability to conceive was a sign of God's disapproval and a punishment for sin. Although we now understand that this is not the case, it is noteworthy that God often chose to bring forth great leaders from women who had long prayed for a child. For instance, Sarah was unable to conceive before giving birth to Isaac, Rebekah before Esau and Jacob, Rachel before Joseph, Manoah’s wife before Samson, and Hannah before Samuel. Today’s solemnity commemorates one of the most significant births in history. Remember that Jesus himself later proclaimed, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women, there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).

Patron Saint of: baptism, bird dealers, converts, monastic life, motorways, printers, tailors, lambs, and prisoners.
Pre-Congregation canonisation
Liturgical Colour: White or Gold

St John the Baptist… Pray for us
St John Fisher… Pray for us
St Thomas More… Pray for us