On Sunday 8Th of June was the conclusion of the season of Easter and the celebration of the feast day of Pentecost. According to the account of Luke in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples 50 days after the resurrection day of Jesus, so the same title “Pentecost” was given by the Church to the feast celebrating the coming of the Spirit.
The feast of Pentecost commemorates two things: the gift of the Spirit that enables us to praise and proclaim, and the birth of the Church as an active community. The gift of the Spirit, especially when visualised as tongues of fire, may be seen as a prototype for a universal mission and a multicultural society.
The feast of Pentecost celebrates and enriches the sense of community renewal (birth) of the Church, the Church that proclaims salvation through the birth, ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
On Friday 6th June the staff attended a staff spirituality day which we travelled together as a Community to Sydney to visit important shrines and relics that are significant to our role as Catholic Educators. The purpose of the Staff Spirituality Day was to go on a pilgrimage during the 2025 Jubilee year as a spiritual journey of renewal, penance, and grace. The Vatican has declared Jubilee 2025 as a Holy Year of Hope for Catholics worldwide. Staff had the opportunity to be immersed in the connection between Catholic Faith and Education, reflecting on the purpose and mission of our calling to work in Catholic schools which is to inspire hearts and minds to know Christ, to love learning, to use their talents to be the very best they can be. Hopefully days like these provide inspiration and reflection on how we as staff members can provide an authentic, professional Catholic Education, delivered with care and compassion with students being the center of everything we do at St. Brigid’s.
As you are aware Vinnies NSW is a Catholic Charity that supports tens of thousands of individuals and families each year who are experiencing financial and housing insecurity. Compared to previous years, Vinnies NSW has seen a concerning growth in the number of people seeking assistance through necessity. This year, the Winter Appeal theme “No One Chooses To Be Homeless” highlights the struggles of vulnerable people facing housing difficulties and disadvantage stemming from challenging past experiences, and who continue to experience the lasting impacts of homelessness in their lives. This Term at St. Brigid’s we encourage students and staff to support the Winter Appeal in Houses by donating food essentials, hygiene products, toiletries and clothing including sleeping bags and blankets. Two of the main values of the College are Compassion and Stewardship, therefore your support is crucial in Gods calling of looking after people who are less fortunate or disadvantaged. This appeal will continue for the Term.
The nominations and voting process has started for Senior Student Leadership for 2025/2026. The current Year 12 leaders will conclude their roles early next Term to focus on their Trial and HSC exams. The current leadership speeches will be on Friday 27th June, Week 9 and all students Year 7 – 11 will watch the speeches and will vote on the top 12 students. Mr. Mudoch will interview each successful student leader to determine Captains, Vice Captains, Ministry and House Leader roles by considering the student and teacher voting data, content of the speeches as well as the various experiences and skills each student has. We wish these students the best of luck.
Damien Tomsett
Assistant Principal, Evangelisation and Catechesis
