Faith and Mission Newsletter item 29 July 2025
Term three has started and we are thrilled to announce that the Christian Services program continues from this time last year. We are grateful to the numerous agencies in the northern suburbs who have agreed to take on our Year 11 students in a voluntary capacity. A part of the Ethics Unit in Religion and Society requires each student to volunteer at a community agency based on their needs and interests. Following these selections, this term, every Year 11 student will spend a day at their chosen agency where they will help and support as needed. Students will receive a form to complete and reflect upon their volunteer experiences after their placement. These reflections will be used in the AOS 2.3 Ethical Issues in Society.
Many thanks to Melissa Fry and Amanda Abboud who completed a mountain of work to ensure that the Christian services program continues to maintain links within the community. We trust that all Penola students will use the time volunteering as an opportunity for personal growth and formation. We are grateful to them for their support in assisting the different organisations and thus growing the relationship between Penola Catholic College and the various agencies in need.
Year 12 Reflection Day 2 and TOB
Late last term, the Year 12’s gathered for a second time to build upon their learnings from the opening Reflection Day, “Launch into the Deep” held in Term 1. Whilst we did not have Gen Bryant for this second day, the students reflected on their first day’s experience and built upon that. The day was couched in the second “catchers of fish’ story, from the gospel of St John, where Peter rushes to meet Jesus on the shore in the post-resurrection narrative. Peter has summed up his experience of Jesus and weighed up where his allegiances lie. He made the intentional decision to follow Jesus and continue Jesus’ ministry by being the head of the Catholic Church. In the end, the students were posed key questions about who they wish to be, moving forward and, they were invited to think about the legacy they want to leave behind as they prepare for the final stage of secondary education. The students were given one final opportunity to write letters to themselves; a beautiful tradition held at Penola. They will read all their letters at their final reflection day leading to their graduation in October.
Following the morning session, we had a shared lunch of either fish and chips or kebabs and then moved into the PAC to listen to a presentation by Steve and Annie Lawrence, who spoke about relationships and the sanctity of matrimony and the family. This presentation was interactive and drew from the teachings and addresses of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II during their papacies.
Feast Day and JJAMM Week
As we move towards the end of July and head into August, much planning is being done to celebrate our Australian saint, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Each Year level will run a fund raiser for their charity agency in the days leading up to Feast Day. Feast Day lands on Friday 8 August where we will gather for a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral to also celebrate the College’s 30th anniversary since its establishment in 1995. Archbishop Peter Comensoli will be the main celebrant and will be assisted by Fr Samuel Pearson (Church of Good Shepherd, Gladstone Park) and Fr Mahir Murad (Our Lady Guardian of the Plants, Campbellfield). We will follow with an afternoon at Luna Park. We pray for a dry day on the feast day of our own Australian Saint.
Starrs Productions and the Year 7 studentsStarrs Productions visited the junior campus on Friday 25 July and presented two performances to the Year 7 students about the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the beginning of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The cast presented an hour-long play depicting key moments in Mary’s life helping bring to life the patron saint of Penola Catholic College for our newest students. At the end of the play, the students had an opportunity to ask questions of the cast in a Q&A style. We look forward to getting Starrs Productions back in 2026.
ConclusionFinally, continued thanks is directed to Fr Sam Pearson, who comes to the College every Friday to pray the Rosary with staff and students in the chapel, in a tradition that would please our Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Furthermore, I have immense gratitude to the students and staff who continue to gather and support the faith formation activities held throughout the year. Finally, the Faith and Mission Team, Ms Abboud, Miss Yako, Mark Salazar and Mrs Fry and the Christian services captain, Jwana Sona, as they shine the light of Christ on the Penola community. We look forward to journeying in faith together as the term continues.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us
St Joseph, pray for us
And may we always remember, to pray for one another.
Mr Vince Iannuzzi
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission
