SHARING OUR FAITH

HELEN THOMAS | DIRECTOR OF MISSION K-12

GULULU, THE YOLNGU TERM FOR WELCOME.

The Immersion experience to East Arnhem Land in the first week of the July school holidays was more than just an adventure to an exotic destination; it was a journey that challenged preconceptions and prejudices, forged friendships, kindness and determination.

The 26 Year 11 students and 6 staff were encouraged to give, grow and lead. We gave with our hands but also with our hearts. We grew stronger through physical resilience, but also by developing patience, acceptance and generosity.

Culture College Director - Djapirri Mununggirrit spoke to us around the fire saying “Your heart is like a good soil, and when you gather information and plant in the good soil of your heart, now we can see results. It’s more gathering through your studies, your education, then putting it in your soil no matter who you are.”

This journey was about wading into a world that has been locked away for decades and listening to stories that are seldom heard. As future voters and leaders of this nation, we hope the participants will carry the messages from remote First Nations Australia far and wide. It is an unequivocal message that reminds us that we can bring hope to the many by bringing love to those who need it most. Their hands and our hands can come together to work towards a common goal. Spending a week completely immersed and welcomed into such a strong Aboriginal community highlighted to us how important it is for Australia to embrace this beautiful part of our national identity. Being able to see firsthand how the concepts of kinship, connection to land and language interact and shape the lives of these people, was a privilege.

Coco and Sophie Year 11 Verity Immersion 2022

Sharing our Faith

CELEBRATING MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

Mothers, grandmothers, mother figures, students and ex-students joined us for our Mother Daughter Mass, hosted by our Ex-Students’ Union Committee under the leadership of Celia Sheldon (Roberts '88). With record attendance, the Mass was celebrated by Fr Richard Leonard SJ, and included a moving reflection from Emma Noye and her mother on their very special mother-daughter relationship. The Mass was followed with morning tea, a welcome opportunity to connect and enjoy time with friends.

On the same day we held our annual Year 12 Mother Daughter Luncheon, a rite of passage our senior girls greatly appreciate.

The Junior School Mothers' Day Liturgy was a wonderful celebration of motherhood and a welcome opportunity for our mothers, grandmothers and mother figures to connect as a community. The students gathered in prayer to thank their mothers and the women in their lives who nurture, care for and love them. Grace Shanahan (6 Gold) and her mother, Emma Shanahan, shared a beautiful reflection on their Loreto Kirribilli journey and their mother-daughter relationship.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Year 2 made their Sacrament of Reconciliation in our Chapel. It was a wonderful celebration with parents in attendance, who presented their daughters at the altar of sacramental forgiveness. In preparing for this Sacrament, the students learnt that sometimes we might not always make the right choice, but if we feel we have done something wrong, God will always forgive us.

The girls loved experiencing their time in the Chapel and showed reverence when listening and speaking to Father Robin.

Mrs Sharon Portlock Head of Junior School

The main message of Reconciliation is that God forgives and is always by your side when you

need help. Arabella Avery