News

Project Compassion 2024 was officially launched to Catholic schools around Western Australia on 12 February 2024. St Brigid’s College was proud to be the host school which presented the online launch webinar to 60 schools. The morning started with a welcome from Mrs Veronica Parker, St Brigid’s Principal and thereafter a liturgy, celebrated by Fr Michael McMahon, OMI, the St Brigid’s College Senior Choir and students from both the Primary and Secondary campus. Deacon Paul Reid, Community Engagement Animator for Caritas Australia WA/SA, addressed the live and online participants and introduced the theme for 2024, ‘For All Future Generations’. This theme has been drawn from the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-20. St Brigid’s student leaders moderated the event and introduced Koreen Cueto, Program Coordinator, Indonesia & Vietnam – who shared some real life insights of the support Caritas provides through Project Compassion. Workshops were then moderated by SBC students, for all schools to participate online – participants had to analyse a short video outlining the programs and stories of the 2024 campaign> One activity gave them the opportunity to meet Ronita, through a video, and heard her story, they were then  asked to create a Student Action Plan to show how their school would support Caritas. As it was Shrove Tuesday, the launch ended with the students and guests partaking and enjoying pancakes over a conversation. To read more about Project Compassion, click here   

This morning St Brigid’s College was one of multiple Catholic schools across WA who attended the Archbishop’s 2023 LifeLink Day – Forum for Secondary Schools. The LifeLink Day Forum is an opportunity for students attending Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Perth to join together to learn about how the Church’s social service agencies reach out to provide practical care and direct assistance to thousands of people in need each year. This year LifeLink Day 2023 will be launched on Wednesday 7 June 2023. LifeLink Day provides a wonderful opportunity for students attending Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Perth to join together to show their support for the Church’s social service agencies – agencies which on behalf of us all, reach out to provide practical care and direct assistance to thousands of people in need each year. A key takeaway from the day was in the words of the Archbishop that at the heart LifLink is an appeal to all to support those in need and it is us living our Christian faith as we listen to the needs and do our part. “I hear but I forget, but when I see I remember, and when I do I understand.” Our Head of Faith and Mission, Mr Adrian Martino, recently sent out communication to our school community on our Term 2 LifeLink Day activities: Each year in Term 2, our fundraising efforts assist LifeLink Catholic Caring Agencies within the Archdiocese of Perth. This year we are holding two concurrent events: Winter Appeal — Weeks 3 – 5. Each family is asked to bring to school, non- perishable cans, goods and donations (see attached list of suggested items) that will assist ‘The Shopfront’, a LifeLink Agency supporting needy families in the Archdiocese of Perth. St Pat’s Community Support Centre, who we have supported with donations in the past, have also requested support from us as they are experiencing even greater need than usual for this time of year. Each House will create a ‘hamper stack’ in Student Reception with their donated goods. House points to be awarded according to the amount donated by each House. Donated goods will then be sent to The Shopfront & St Pat’s Community Support Centre. Gold Coin Challenge — later this term the Young Mercies for Vinnies group will organise an event requiring a gold coin donation from each student (details to follow). House points to be awarded for the most coins collected. Your generosity in supporting these two events will ensure that the wonderful work carried out by LifeLink Agencies and St Pat’s continues in our local community. More information regarding LifeLink Agencies can be found at: https://lifelink.com.au/ and St Pat’s Community Support Centre https://stpats.com.au/  

On behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society, thank you for your generous support of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. It was wonderful to see our homeroom and classroom hampers bulging with all sorts of Christmas goodies, and we are very impressed once again with the way our students and families have embraced this appeal. Your generosity will provide urgent relief for a family doing it tough this Christmas and give them hope for a better future. [easy-image-collage id=20076] We held our final College mass on Friday, the 2nd of December. It was wonderful to be able to come together to give thanks to our God for the many blessing and opportunities we have experienced this year. We are also grateful to Father Separovich for leading our beautiful Thanksgiving mass. As we look to the Second Week of Advent and continue to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, there is an emphasis on peace, represented by the second purple candle in the Advent wreath. May we pray and strive for peace and harmony within ourselves, our families, our communities and our world. I wish you all well and hope you have a Happy and Holy Christmas and that the New Year brings much happiness.   Caterina Dwyer

On the last day of Term 3, we celebrated Mercy Day – a wonderful observance celebrating our Mercy Heritage and raising awareness (and funds) for Mercy Works, which runs world-class programs that engage in partnership with challenged communities to enjoy the right to basic resources. We began the day celebrating Mass with Fr Michael McMahon OMI and listening to a reflection by Sister Joanne Dickson RSM on how we might ‘Light the Way’ in our world today. [easy-image-collage id=19801] Our main fund-raising event was the running of stalls by each house, including a sausage sizzle, donuts, lolly bags, cans of drink, etc. After our Cultural Festival, celebrating the many talents of our students, we concluded the day with the Colour Run. Thank you to all who contributed goods for our stalls, including Lesmurdie IGA, who donated cans of drinks and ice for the day. Our Mercy Day Stalls and Sleepout for Mercy Works raised a total of $3600.00 – a brilliant effort by all! [easy-image-collage id=19805] This term, we are collecting goods for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers, ensuring all families in our community have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas even though they may be struggling financially. Further information regarding what is needed for the hampers will be distributed soon.

Sleepout for Mercy Works On Thursday, 4 August over 100 volunteers braved a very cold night to participate in the Mercy Works Sleepout 2022 at Mazenod College. These volunteers consisted of staff and students from both Mazenod and St Brigid’s Colleges. They were sleeping out for two reasons: One was to educate themselves about the plight of people who find themselves homeless in Australia. The second reason for the evening was to raise money for the various Catholic agencies who work with the homeless in the Perth metropolitan area. These agencies include Vinnies, The Shopfront and Mercy Works. Assumption Mass & Commissioning of Ms Veronica Parker On Monday, 15 August we were honoured to have Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrate Mass for the feast of the Assumption. At the conclusion of Mass, Ms Veronica Parker was commissioned as Principal of St Brigid’s College. First Holy Communion A number of our Year 4 students were prepared and received their First Holy Communion this term. Parents and students have had the opportunity to attend workshops run by 24/7 Youth Ministry.   Year 8 & Year 10 Retreat Days Our Year 8 cohort joined the 24/7 Youth Ministry Team for their Retreat Day, which focused on God’s Creation. Our Year 10 cohort enjoyed their Retreat Day with the Youth Mission Team, exploring the topic of Social Justice. Mercy Day – Wednesday, 21 September Mercy Day is a community-building day, combining fun, a celebration of our heritage and the provision of support for those in need through fundraising.  We celebrate and work together and we build community, which in turn builds an environment that is supportive of learning and spiritual development. Important aspects of the day: All students are invited to wear blue and white for a gold coin donation. We begin the day with the celebration of Mass at 9.15am in the College Grotto. Families are invited to support Mercy Day Stalls with various donations. Cultural Festival will be held after Mass. The day concludes with the Colour Run (2pm – 3pm). Our fundraising will support the work of Mercy Works. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Australian and Papua New Guinean Sisters of Mercy. Their mission is inspired by Catherine McAuley’s vision of change for the poor and disadvantaged. Mercy Works are financed by donations from the four Australian congregations of the Sisters of Mercy, charitable trusts & foundations, various organisations & groups and individuals.

Praise & Worship Celebration On Thursday, 21 July, Tayla (Yr 12) and Carys (Yr 6) represented SBC at the opening celebration for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. The celebration, held at St Mary’s Cathedral, was led by the Very Rev Father Vincent Glynn – Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation. We prayed for all our students involved in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival this term – may they enjoy sharing their God given gifts and talents with each other. Sacrament of Reconciliation Our Year 3 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during this term. Parents and students have had the opportunity to attend workshops run by 24/7 Youth Ministry. Sleepout for Mercy Works Next Thursday, 4 August students will have the opportunity to experience the realities and complex issues of homelessness on a personal level by ‘sleeping rough’ for a night. This experience will be conducted in conjunction with Mazenod College staff and students at Mazenod College. Sponsorship money raised from the evening will support Mercy Works. The focus for Fundraising – Term 3 Our fundraising for Term 3 will support the work of Mercy Works. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Australian and Papua New Guinean Sisters of Mercy. Their mission is inspired by Catherine McAuley’s vision of change for the poor and disadvantaged. Mercy Works are financed by donations from the four Australian congregations of the Sisters of Mercy, charitable trusts & foundations, various organisations & groups and individuals.   Thank you. Mr Adrian Martino Head of Faith and Mission