Newman News Term 4 Week 4: From the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity
Key Dates – Next fortnight
Click here to view the key dates for the next fortnight.
All Saints and All Souls Day
The week began with November 1 and 2, where in the Catholic Tradition we celebre All Saints and All Souls Day. Pope Francis reminds us that “Saints are not super people who are born perfect, but rather ordinary people who follow God with all their heart”. An important reminder that all of us can be saints in the way we choose to live.
All Souls Day is an opportunity to remember the people in our lives who have died and the important role they played in our formation. For the month of November, a prayer table has been set in the Chapel that will allow staff, students, and families to write the names of their loved ones and place it in our bowl. This bowl will be offered up on Thursday morning Community Mass, where we will remember those special people in the lives of our community.
Socktober for Catholic Mission
Staff and students across the life of the College have participated in the annual “Socktober” celebrations. “Socktober” is an annual event initiated by Catholic Mission. This year fundraising and advocacy has a focus in Thailand where the Good Shepherd Sisters are supporting vulnerable families by providing for the nutritional, medicinal and educational needs of young children at their Kindergarten centre in Bangkok. Click here to access more information about “Socktober” and how Catholic Mission continues to support the most vulnerable in our global community.
It was a picture of colour on Friday morning as staff and students wore their colourful and crazy socks. Lavalla students played a soccer match against staff, where staff were 1-0 victors and Marian students lined up to shoot the handmade balls at Mrs McClue, Miss Anderson and Mr Martino. Year 8 students at Marcellin participated in a soccer competition with Brigid winning the Boys competition and Thomas More winning the Girls competition.
Thank you to our families, staff and students for living out the Catholic Social Teaching of ‘preferential option for the poor’, where we put the needs of the poor and vulnerable at the centre.
Altar Server Training
Students have been training to be Altar Servers within the life of our College and their Parish. Training has taken place in the Chapel, where students have reflected on the purpose of serving, the role of the Altar Server and the importance of this ministry. We look forward to commissioning all students at next Thursday 11 November community Mass.
Marist Global Network
Over three days, the Marist Institute launched its Marist Global Network of schools which Newman College is proud to be connected. Our College had a special role in creating a video that captures how we as a Marist community are connected to this global family. This network offers an exciting opportunity for staff, students and families as we continue to consider our place in the world and how we through our Family Spirit, can follow in the way of Mary, to make Jesus Christ known and loved.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Network, please head to this website. https://champagnat.org/en/marist-mission/schools/
Thursday morning Mass
Our Thursday morning Mass continues to grow in support from our families and students. All are welcome to attend Thursday from 8.10am. Mass concludes by 8.40am. The next 2 weeks, will be hosted by Marcellin and Year 4, followed by Mackillop and Year 3. We are also excited to be welcoming some of our Year 2’s to these celebrations. All families are welcome at this Eucharistic celebration each week.