Loving God, as we journey through Advent, awaken our hearts to the light of your Son, Jesus Christ. In this season of waiting and hope, help us students, teachers, and families to stay alert in prayer, eager to welcome you into our studies, challenges, and joys.
Scatter the shadows of doubt and distraction, that we may grow in wisdom and goodness, ready to meet you at Christmas and in every moment of our lives. Come, Lord Jesus draw near to us now and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Advent
The season of Advent derives from the Latin word Adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." It invites us to prepare for the threefold coming of Christ his historical incarnation at Bethlehem, his ongoing presence in the sacraments and the life of the Church, and his glorious return at the end of time.
A beautiful way to enter Advent is through contemplation of the nativity scene, which captures God becoming man. The image of the nativity reminds us that salvation does not come from above. God speaks as a newborn baby; he is the light that shines through our darkness and brings light on all people “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
Pope Francis, in his 2017 Christmas Vigil Homily, echoes this truth by urging us to recognise Christ's presence amid the ordinary "The faith we proclaim tonight makes us see God present in all those situations where we think he is absent. He is present in the unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognisable, who walks through our cities and our neighbourhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors." Far from being an abstract deity "up in the sky," God is Emmanuel, "God with us" dwelling in our joys and struggles. Advent challenges us to open our eyes to this hidden presence, transforming our daily lives into a vigilant watch for the Lord.
As we begin this sacred season, let us pray for the grace to draw nearer to Christ, to welcome his light in our hearts.
A Joyful Pilgrimage: The Australian Catholic Youth Festival
From Sunday 30 November to Tuesday 2 December, twenty-three enthusiastic Year 9 students from our college, accompanied staff, to participate in the Australian Catholic Youth Festival at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This vibrant gathering, attended by thousands of young people from across Australia, was a celebration of faith, unity and hope, drawing inspiration from the 2025 Jubilee Year motto, Pilgrims of Hope.
The festival served as a powerful reminder of God's boundless love for each person and the Church as our true spiritual home, a welcoming family where all are called to grow in faith. It was inspiring to witness so many young hearts united in the joy of the Gospel, sharing in prayer, music, and worship with such devotion.
In particular, the festival stirred the fire of the Holy Spirit within our students. With hope in God's abundant grace, these young pilgrims return invigorated, ready to carry this spiritual fire back to their parishes, schools, communities, and families.
This experience has undoubtedly strengthened our students' faith and sense of mission. We give thanks to God for such a wonderful experience and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide them as joyful disciples on the path ahead.
“My experience with ACYF felt so powerful, I enjoyed seeing so many people at the workshops and expos sharing their faith and ministry so passionately. The plenary area where we all gathered to listen to talks, praise and worship God made my heart feel so full. I would truly want to experience this again.”
- Rosalia Cajucom 9WU
“We got to praise and worship Jesus with so many young people all around Australia. Thanks to our teachers who gave us the opportunity to go and have one of the greatest experiences of our lives. I really want to go to the next one.”
- Kevin Haber 9BA
“ACYF was a truly amazing experience that I will never forget. To be around all of those young people like me was eye opening. All the people I met, with all of us in unity for our faith, learning, singing and praying is something I am truly thankful for. But I have to say that just being with all those people was just as powerful in experiencing God.”
- Michael Gagliardi 9WO
“ACYF was one of the most life changing experiences and has brought me closer to God than I have ever been. Connecting with all those like-minded people through God was an amazing experience that will stay with me forever. All the workshops, live performance, masses, and time spent all together has really changed the way I see God, and the catholic faith all together. The passion everyone had and the atmosphere we all created was unlike anything I have been a part of and certainly not something I thought I would ever experience. ACYF was overall and amazing experience I will forever be grateful for, and I thank all the teachers for making it possible, and all the students and others there for making it memorable. During this time, I encountered God and that encounter has brought me closer to Him, and I know that it was His plan for me to be there and to see Him. I hope for you all that one day, you can experience what I have in those three days, because once you do, you will be transformed by His power. ACYF marked the end of an amazing adventure, but the start of a mission, our mission, to praise, worship, and love God."
- Jacob Magtalas 9WU
