News from our Religious Education, Identity and Mission Team
Year 6 Mass with the Bishop
This year, many of our Year 6 students will be making or have already made their sacrament of Confirmation. As part of this important time, Year 6 participated in a Mass with Bishop Brian Mascord at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ingleburn on August 13. This celebration was a wonderful opportunity for the students to meet and interact with the Bishop and other Year 6 students from other primary schools in the Macarthur area.
First Reconciliation Program
Over the last four weeks, students have been busily preparing for the sacrament of First reconciliation. All the candidates that participated in the lessons at the college were enthusiastic throughout each session and contributed their thoughts and experiences in their groups. Special thanks to Mrs. Ghignone, Mrs. Brites, Miss Meli, Miss Mosca and Mrs. Khoury, who led these lessons.
This Friday, the 30th of August, the children will be making the sacrament of First Reconciliation at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. We wish them the very best during this special time.
Care of Creation Month
This season begins on September 1 and ends October 4, with the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the beloved patron saint of ecology. During this time the entire Christian family across the world unites in a celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we are co
-creators with God who share a common call to care for all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth.
We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it. This year, the theme for the season is “To hope and act with Creation”. Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, many are beginning to despair and suffer from eco-anxiety. As people of faith we are
called to lift the hope inspired by our faith, the hope of the resurrection. This is not a hope without action but one embodied in concrete actions of prayer and preaching, service and solidarity.
In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, P
ope Francis reminds us that “To hope and act with creation, means above all to join forces and to walk together with all men and women of good will.” This month in particular, may we join forces to give praise to God expressing our thanks for the marvellous works that have been entrusted to our care, and we
ask for God’s help as we take action to protect our planet and all of its creatures.
WOODiWiLD
At St Francis Catholic College we are committed to sustaining a healthy ecosystem for
the future. WOODiWiLD is our college fundraiser that was initiated to supporting our commitment. This fundraiser will not only protect our unique and vulnerable wildlife, but it will also provide our students with a direct link to their own tree (that they can name) within the Great Aussie Schools’ Forest! Please scan the QR code for direct access to the website and help us reach and even surpass our target of 400 trees!
A weekend experience for fathers and their teenage sons.
One of the most important influences in the lives of men is the relationship they had with their father or significant father figure. The encouragement and affirmation that this relationship could, and should, provide, is a key ingredient for how young men view themselves and embrace their faith and gifts as they take their place in the world.
Growing Good Men is an experientially-based program which encourages and enables fathers and sons to strengthen their relationship and to explore important issues of growing into manhood. It is designed for fathers and their adolescent sons aged 12 to 17 years (school years between 7 and 11).
Don’t miss this! Spots are limited to just 25 fathers with their sons. This is a unique opportunity for dads and their sons to embark on a quest of discovery with Robert Falzon (founder of menALIVE) and his team.
The weekend experience explores:
- The importance of the father and son bond for both generations
- The journey of adolescence
- Becoming a man
- Dealing with anger
- Friendship with girls and women
- The quest for identity
- Rite of Passage
Set over a weekend, the program involves: short keynote sessions, small group and father/son sharing, a wide range of challenging and engaging activities (which may include high ropes courses or similar adventure activities), reflection and prayer. The centrepiece of the program is a Rite of Passage on Saturday night. The weekend concludes with a Father’s Blessing and commissioning.
Please note: If you are unable to attend with your father, you may choose to come with another significant male person over the age of 18. In this situation, we would need a letter of consent from a parent/guardian. Should your situation not fit the two options mentioned and you still wish to attend please call us.
