Ash Wednesday: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

This week, our school community gathered to mark the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday liturgy. Ash Wednesday is a significant day in the liturgical calendar, calling us to reflect, repent, and renew our commitment to our faith. The ashes we received remind us of our call to turn away from sin and live out the Gospel with humility and love.

A heartfelt thank you to Kristin Ciccone, Skye Murray, and our dedicated Youth Ministry students for their leadership in distributing the ashes. Their service helped create a meaningful and reverent experience for our community, allowing us to enter this Lenten season with open hearts and a renewed sense of purpose.

As we journey through Lent, may we embrace this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, deepening our relationship with God and one another.

Pilgrimage to Los Angeles: A Journey of Faith, Learning, and Transformation

Over Weeks 4 and 5, I had the incredible opportunity to embark on a pilgrimage through Los Angeles. Initially, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I was hopeful that it would be both personally and professionally enriching. Now, having returned, I can truly say it was a profoundly moving experience—one that has inspired me to bring new insights and learning back to our beautiful school community. Below is an overview of the key experiences from my journey.

Day 1: Homeboy Industries

Our pilgrimage began with a visit to Homeboy Industries, an organisation founded by Fr Greg Boyle in 1988, dedicated to offering hope, training, and support to former gang members and incarcerated individuals seeking a new path in life.

We were warmly welcomed by Omar, a former gang member who had been incarcerated multiple times. With remarkable honesty, Omar shared his life story—his time in a gang, his experiences in prison, and the challenges he faced, including a physical disability from a gunfight. Born into circumstances that left him without hope, he never imagined a future beyond a short and troubled life. That changed when he met Fr Greg Boyle, who simply listened, without judgement, and offered him an alternative path. Omar recalled,

“Greg just listened. He never judged. He didn’t try to change me but met me where I was and created a space where I could belong and feel loved. I made many mistakes, yet Greg welcomed me back every time with the same love, compassion, and sense of family.”

Years later, Omar made the courageous decision to engage in Fr Greg’s program—removing his tattoos, pursuing a career through Homeboy Industries, and even gaining custody of his children. His life was transformed, and today he dedicates himself to inspiring others and giving back to his community.

Hearing Omar’s story made me reflect deeply—are love, understanding, and compassion truly at the heart of our own school community? If Fr Greg can foster this level of belonging in some of LA’s most challenging streets, then surely we, too, can create such an environment in our own school.

Days 2-5: Religious Education Congress

From there, we travelled to Anaheim for the Religious Education Congress. The sheer scale of the event was overwhelming—thousands of participants from around the world, all gathered with a shared love of faith. The theme for the congress was ‘A Call to Compassion’, and we had the privilege of engaging with Religious Educators, attending keynote presentations, and participating in inspiring workshops.

The highlight of each day was the Mass, celebrated in the evenings. It was deeply moving to witness our own parish priest co-celebrating in front of thousands of people from across the globe. The richness of cultural diversity within the Masses was a powerful reminder of the universal nature of our faith and inspired us to cultivate an even stronger sense of belonging within our own school community.

Day 6: Cathedral Visits – Christ Cathedral & The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

As part of our pilgrimage, we had the privilege of visiting two remarkable cathedrals—Christ Cathedral (formerly the Crystal Cathedral) and The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Each offered a unique expression of faith, architecture, and sacred presence.

At Christ Cathedral, originally built as the Crystal Cathedral by Rev. Robert Schuller, we were captivated by its stunning glass architecture, which allows natural light to flood the space, creating an ethereal atmosphere of openness and reflection. Now a Catholic cathedral, it has been transformed while preserving its iconic structure. Standing within its vast, light-filled interior, we were reminded of how faith can adapt and evolve, bridging traditions while maintaining a deep sense of the sacred. The grounds also feature the Tower of Hope and the beautifully landscaped prayer gardens, offering spaces for contemplation and renewal.

In contrast, The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels embodies a modern yet deeply spiritual aesthetic, designed to reflect the cultural diversity and vibrancy of Los Angeles' Catholic community. The tapestry of saints lining the walls stood out as a powerful visual representation of faith in action, celebrating figures from across different cultures and time periods. The cathedral’s openness and lack of traditional stained-glass windows create a sense of welcoming inclusivity, reinforcing the idea that the Church is a home for all.

Both cathedrals, though vastly different in design, carried the same profound message—faith is living, dynamic, and capable of speaking to people in diverse and meaningful ways. These visits deepened our understanding of the role sacred spaces play in fostering community, reflection, and a connection to the divine.

Days 7-8: School Visits – St Genevieve’s & St Finbar’s

The final days of our pilgrimage took us to two Catholic schools in Los Angeles.

At St Genevieve’s, a K-12 school with over 1000 students, we met Principal Dan Horn, who shared the incredible transformation of the school. Once on the brink of closure due to low enrolments and a culture of violence, the school is now a thriving community built on love, connection, and hope.

Their turnaround wasn’t driven by a focus on academic results alone. Instead, they prioritised creating a culture of belonging, where students were empowered with the character traits to unlock their potential. The school’s Dean articulated this beautifully:

“We don’t teach discipline; we teach character.”

This simple yet profound shift in language resonated deeply with me. It challenged me to consider how we can further support the spiritual, moral, social, and emotional development of our students. At St Genevieve’s, students as young as Kindergarten spoke confidently about their personal growth, using a shared language of character traits to express their identity and values.

At our school, we have worked hard over the past few years to animate our vision so that it is imprinted in the hearts and minds of our students. St Genevieve’s journey reinforced the importance of this work and provided valuable insights into how we can continue to foster an environment where every student can flourish and grow and be connected to the vine.

Final Reflections

This pilgrimage has been one of the most profound personal and professional experiences of my life. The themes of belonging, connection, and compassion were woven throughout every aspect of our journey, leaving an indelible mark on my heart.

I return with a renewed vision for Catholic education and practical insights to help build a more loving, inclusive, and faith-filled community. At its core, our mission remains simple—I want every student to become the best version of themselves.

Easter Egg Appeal

Each year the students at Corpus Christi are asked to bring in easter eggs to donate to the Wollongong Hospital  Children’s Ward. Unlike most of our families at Corpus Christi who get to wake up on Easter morning and spend time celebrating with each other, some children are waking up in a hospital bed, some who have been there for more time than in their own homes. The joy and smiles on the faces of the children in the hospital when our students go to deliver the easter eggs donated by the students is something that could warm anyone's heart. This year we ask that once again you all find it in your hearts to share the happiness that chocolate can bring to those children who are struggling. Our Easter Egg Appeal will run from Week 5 to  Week 9 and each Learning Circle Learning Advisor will collect the eggs during Learning Circle each morning.

All Saints Parish News

RECONCILIATION- Year 2 or Older

Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance Saturday 5th April 2025 at 11 am 

CONFIRMATION - Year 6 or Older 

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation  Tuesday 1st July & Wednesday 2nd July 2025 7 pm

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Year 3 or Older 

Celebration of the Sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday 23rd November 11 am

Bishop Brian Mascord - Visitation To All Saints Catholic Parish 

Bishop Brain Mascord will be visiting All Saints Parish from Friday 28 March 2025 to Sunday 30th March 2025. The aim of Bishop Brian’s visit is to help All Saints Catholic Parish to look at itself and to make an assessment on:

• Where our parish is going
• How we are translating our basic evangelising thrust as disciples of Jesus in to action
• What we as a parish have achieved and are doing well, also 
• What we are not doing
• What needs are confronting us in our parish
• How we can best use all the talents, resources, goodwill and generosity that already exists in our parish community

We are looking forward to Bishop Brian visiting our wonderful parish and community at Mass on Saturday 29 March at 5.00 pm and Sunday 30 March at 9.00 am.