From the Faith & Service Department

As we approach the end of the year, we take this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable journey of our Saint Ignatius’ College community.

This time is not only about acknowledging achievements but also about expressing our deep gratitude for the many ways we have enriched one another’s lives throughout the year.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in our community for your unwavering commitment to our social justice initiatives and liturgical celebrations this year.

Your generosity and active participation have brought these important aspects of our college life to fruition, creating opportunities for us to live out our shared values of faith, compassion, and service.

Attached here is the Family Christmas Advent Calendar, designed to inspire joy and generosity during the Christmas season. We hope it brings your family closer as you embrace the spirit of giving and the true meaning of this special time.

May the holiday season bring you peace, joy, and the blessing of cherished moments with loved ones.

Anne Mercorella
Director of Faith and Service Junior School

Shane O’Brien
Director of Mission

The Chapel of the Holy Name, Athelstone (Bellarmine Lawns)
Christmas Eve: Tues 24 December 7.00pm Carols, 7.30pm Mass starts

St Ignatius’ Parish Norwood
Christmas Eve: 24 December 4.00pm, 6.00pm, 8.00pm.
Christmas Day: 25 December 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am (Korean)

Saint Francis of Assisi, Newton
Christmas Eve: 24 December 6.00pm, 8.00pm, Midnight (Italian)
Christmas Day: 25 December 9.00am, 11.00am (Italian)

Chapel of the Holy Name, Athelstone Masses in December/January

Last 9.00am Sunday Mass for the year will be on 22 December and will resume on 19 January.

Last 8.00am Wednesday and Friday Masses for the year will be on 20 December and will resume on 22 January.

As part of a collaboration task for the SACE Stage 2 Integrated Learning -Art in the Ignatian Tradition, 2 groups of Year 11 students undertook the task of designing graphics for priest’s chasubles and stoles, garments worn by priests during Masses and special celebrations, based on the idea of representing ‘Finding God in All Things’.

Liam Holland, Alice Li and Bianca Giorgi designed four graphics based on the College’s four Houses, Campion, Kostka, Regis and Xavier. Their designs incorporated themes from the College environment and the House crests.

Drawing on this quote from Pope Francis as a starting point. “Artists of every discipline and called to shine beauty especially where darkness or grey dominates everyday life” Their purpose was to create art that would be part of religious ceremonies, shining light upon the beauty of our surroundings to people in our community

The following symbolism is presented in the designs with a cross on the back in the House colour.

The second group, Juliet Mazur, Criselda Fazzini, Lily Burgess, Yianni Datsopoulous, and Michael Stevenson based their design on the Pope’s Encyclical, Laudato Si and ‘Care for Our Country ’using native flora, demonstrating the beauty of our natural world, which is our common home, thus calling for people to care for and preserve its beauty. The design uses gum leaves, wattle, cornflowers and wattle the cross and the three crosses at Calvary. The crosses are made like raw wooden crosses and when worn together symbolise Jesus’ crucifixion along with the two criminals at Golgotha.

Calling upon the expertise of Kathy George to draft a pattern from existing chasbules and stoles, the vestments were sewn by College parent Dr Michelle McDonnell who generously gave her time to cut and sew all five individual chabules and stoles. Once completed they were embroidered by Embroidery Masterz (316A North East Road, Klemzig 08 70062280) who have produced an exceptional end product.

Thank you must go to Fr Peter Hosking and Leader of Learning Emma Lilley who allowed me to complete a very ambitious project with a class of very talented and highly creative individuals.

These garments will leave their creative and religious legacy to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Maria Minucci
Teacher Stage 2 Integrated learning Art in the Ignatian Tradition

This year, students in Years 2 to 6 have embraced an enriching new pen pal initiative with Redfern Jarjum College, a Jesuit primary school in Sydney. Redfern Jarjum College provides a supportive educational environment for Aboriginal children, fostering strong connections to their culture and community while supporting their academic and personal growth.

Through this initiative, our students have been paired with pen pals from Redfern Jarjum, exchanging letters that include thoughtful questions, artwork, and stories. These exchanges provide a meaningful opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal culture and perspectives whilst also sharing insights into their own lives and contexts.

The process of writing and receiving letters by post has brought a renewed sense of joy and anticipation to our students. The act of opening a letter and discovering the experiences and thoughts of their pen pal has proven to be a unique and heartwarming experience. It is a refreshing reminder of the importance of connection and the power of authentic communication in fostering empathy and mutual respect.

We commend our students for their enthusiasm and their genuine commitment to engaging in this cultural and educational exchange. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth of these connections in the future.

Kate Westland
Aboriginal Coordinator - Junior School