Faith & Mission

RNDM Sisters visit to Year 7 RE Classes

Year 7 students recently had the privilege of welcoming Sr Madeleine, Sr Catherine and Sr Mary into their Religious Education classes, where they shared insights into the life and mission of Euphrasie Barbier, the founder of the RNDM Sisters. Through their stories and experiences, students learned about the global work of the RNDM Sisters and their commitment to faith, service and education. This visit provided a meaningful connection to the students’ first RE unit, How do the rituals, stories and symbols of the RNDMs form part of our school identity?; helping students to better understand how the charism of Euphrasie Barbier continues to shape the values and identity of our school community today.

Angelina Peluso
Learning Leader - Religious Education

Year 8 RE Excursion to the Jewish Museum of Australia

Our Year 8 students recently visited the Jewish Museum of Australia as part of their study of who Jesus is, exploring the important connection between Christianity and Judaism.

During the visit, students engaged with a range of fascinating artefacts, including Torah scrolls. Students in 8 Red found the following facts particularly interesting: that the Torah is read from right to left, contains no page numbers, and is the central focus of the synagogue, with all seating oriented towards it. They also explored key Jewish practices, such as the use of the shofar (ram’s horn) during significant occasions and dietary laws that prohibit the mixing of meat and dairy.

The experience provided valuable insight into synagogue life, including its informal and welcoming atmosphere, where children can move freely, and the tradition of facing Jerusalem in synagogue design. Students also discovered that synagogues host weddings but not funerals, and that there are no statues or paintings within the space. Through interactive displays, timelines and storytelling activities, students brought Jewish history to life.

Overall, the excursion was an engaging and meaningful experience that deepened students’ understanding of Judaism and strengthened their appreciation of its connection to Christianity.

Angelina Peluso
Learning Leader - Religious Education

Stations of the Cross

This year our Stations of the Cross liturgies were centred on our 2026 theme: Hearts that Listen, Hands that Act.

Led by students, the liturgy invited us to journey with Jesus through His Passion, while making meaningful connections to the realities of our world today. Each station highlighted contemporary experiences of suffering — including injustice, poverty, exclusion, mental health struggles and environmental challenges — reminding us that Jesus is present in all who are hurting, unheard or overlooked.

Students took on key roles throughout the liturgy, including reading, leading prayer and supporting the visual and reflective elements. The use of candles, silence, music and guided reflection created a reverent and engaging space for all participants.

Importantly, this was not only a time of remembrance, but a call to action. Each reflection challenged us to consider how we can respond to the needs of others in our own lives — by listening with empathy and acting with compassion.

The liturgy concluded with a message of hope: that the cross is not the end, and that each of us is called to be the hands and feet of the risen Jesus in our world today.

Students were encouraged to take this message forward through personal reflection, considering where they need hope, who around them may be carrying a cross, and how they can make a positive difference in the week ahead.

As a community, we are reminded that real change begins when we truly listen — and choose to act.

Regina Hooper
Liturgy & Retreat Leader

Palm Sunday March for Refugees

Deputy College Captain - Social Justice; Solenn Castel lead Sacred Heart Justice and Faith Leaders in the Palm Sunday March for Refugees in March. This event was well attended by schools and community leaders, all speaking out for Refugees and Asylum seekers to be treated with respect and given a fair go. Currently laws in Australia are not doing enough to protect innocent people fleeing their home due to war, climate change and political unrest. Sister Brigid Arthur AO spoke to the crowd of over 300 people emphasising the need for Justice for all and continued support for victims of the current conflicts in the world. Sacred Heart and Xavier College students performed to the crowd on Birrarung Marr sending a clear message of peace, love and kindness, which captured the hearts of all in attendance.

Reflections from Solenn Castel:

It was nice seeing it all come together especially when I was looking out from the stage and saw the crowd looking so happy and moved to see young people take part in creating change and pushing for more action to protect and advocate for refugees!

I was proud, and I wanted to say a big thank you to our teachers Julia Stokes and Regina Hooper for helping to organise it. We are very grateful for the planning put into this so that we could do our part in creating much needed change! It was a wonderful experience, and I came to the realisation that we are part of something so much bigger and can make a big difference in our communities especially as young people.

Julia Stokes
Social Justice Leader