Vice Principal's Report

Welcome to our New Parish Priests

The Peninsula has been blessed with a new group of parish priests to work in our parishes and in the College. We will introduce them to you in the next few editions of ‘Faith Matters’.

Father John-Paul Mount is currently administrator to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Rosebud. One of seven children, Fr John-Paul grew up in Essendon in Melbourne and attended St Kevin’s College. He graduated from Melbourne University with an Arts Degree but his vocation didn’t really hit home for some years. It was not until he was 24 that he entered the seminary, after prayer (particularly the rosary) regular confession, and study enabled him to discern God’s call, he explains. Fr John-Paul shares how best to prepare for Easter this Lent.

“Over 40 days, by prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we focus on improving our relationship with Christ. So, most importantly, we plan to better our prayer life and spend time with Christ. We fast and make sacrifices to share in Christ’s sufferings. Almsgiving means giving to those in need to imitate Christ in love and generosity. A major event during Lent is praying the stations of the cross at a Church on Fridays where we walk with Christ as He carries His cross, accompanying Him on His way to Calvary. I invite you to join me each Friday at 5:30pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church, for the Stations of the Cross.”

Padua College Opening Mass

The College Opening Mass was celebrated a fortnight ago and proved to be a wonderful beginning to our new school year. Our Year 7 students and other students new to the College gathered with their families to be welcomed as new members of our community and to receive a blessing for their time with us. Our student leaders were also present to take their leadership pledge and receive a blessing for their work.

This year was the first time we celebrated mass in the new hall setting, which provided many challenges as we had to re-think many aspects of the set-up and logistics. Great thanks are due to the Faith team of the College, as well as our maintenance team and those responsible for lights and sound. At the very start of the book of Genesis, the Spirit hovers over the waters of chaos before creating a wonderful world full of God’s goodness. The mass was like that in so many ways, with the Holy Spirit working through so many good people to create a wonderful experience.

Lent and Project Compassion

Throughout this Season of Lent in the Catholic Church, we are encouraged to reflect on our lives individually and as a community, and to pray for the strength and courage to embrace Jesus’ challenge to live with justice, compassion and love. It is during Lent that Caritas Australia, the aid and development agency of the Church, asks us to participate in Project Compassion, its major fundraising campaign. Caritas helps so many communities throughout Australia and the world, and we encourage all our families to give generously. Many families will have received a Project Compassion box for their home in which to collect small change throughout the campaign, or if you would like to donate directly please go to the Caritas website.

International Women’s Day

The College is proud to support International Womens’ Day with activities at school in the lead up to the day on 8 March. Students, staff and parents represented the College at the Rotary International Womens’ Day Breakfast on Wednesday 4 March. Read more about the inspiring speakers from our Senior Student Council Members in this issue of the Paduan.

Stations of the Cross Liturgy

This year marks the eighth enactment of the Stations of the Cross at the Rosebud Campus. All parents and friends of the College are welcome to attend and join with the students as they prepare for Easter. The Stations will take place on Thursday 26 March starting at 11:00am. For further information contact Peter O’Halloran, Faith Co-ordinator at the Rosebud Campus.

Michael Harrison
Vice Principal: Mission & Community

Invite to the Inaugural Clare Centre Labyrinth Walk

The Inaugural Walk of the Clare Centre Labyrinth will take place on Sunday 15 March at 2.30pm followed by afternoon tea. Padua families are welcome to attend this event and are asked to RSVP by 12 March to Ange Virgona via email.