Making a Difference in the Lives of Young People

It was a privilege to join the extended Queensland Edmund Rice network at St Stephen’s Cathedral last Thursday for the 150 years Mass. Congratulations and thank you to our students and staff who collaborated in the combined schools' choir and orchestra that were amazing. In the 1960s, there was over 3000 Christian Brothers and today, approximately only 180 throughout the country. It was terrific to gather with 60 of the Brothers who follow in the footsteps of Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy here in Queensland.

Saint Mary MacKillop: Australia’s Saint

Tomorrow, we are introducing a new initiative at ATC where we are celebrating Mass for the Feast Day of Australia’s only canonised, person, Saint Mary MacKillop. It will be wonderful to join communities throughout Australia in celebrating the life and example of Saint Mary, the Co-Founder of the Josephite Sisters. If you have never gone to St Stephen’s or Pugins Chapel next to St Stephen’s Cathedral where Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy and his Brothers ran the first classes of their schools here in Queensland 150 years ago, I would encourage you to go to see the magnificent wooden statue of Saint Mary there. Like her, it is most authentic, practical and impactful. The smell of the wood fills the room and it is a most moving pilgrimage, as is a visit to her tomb at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

Saint Mary made an extraordinary difference to the young people in her care providing Catholic education to young people in isolated parts of Australia that lifted many from poverty. She was a courageous and principled leader, being an early example of someone who spoke up about and reported sexual child abuse by clergy of the time and paid a hefty political price for it. On Tuesday 5 August, we join communities throughout Australia in prayers of thanksgiving and intercession:

St. Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our requests. We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust, and openness. Ever generous God, hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen

ATC Parents & Friends

Trivia Night

A joyous crowd of ATC parents and friends gathered as Catholic Education Week concluded to enjoy the annual Parents & Friends Trivia Night on Saturday. This is always a fun and enjoyable evening of friendship and laughter. Congratulations and thank you to the co-ordinator, Nicole Moy and her merry band of supporters for a great night.

Spring Lunch

Another enjoyable event is coming up for the mums, the P&F Ladies Spring Lunch on Friday 24 October at Victoria Park Function Centre. It's in partnership with our Pink Day fundraising for breast cancer research and awareness. Thank you to Mel Kuflik and Sasha Tucker who are coordinating this event for the P&F. Tickets are available via Trybooking HERE.

Sport Achievement

Congratulations to Year 10 student Aiden AmoAmo on his representation in the Queensland Schoolboys Basketball team that recently competed at the National Championship and where his team won Bronze. Aiden was selected in the All Australian Schoolboys team. Well done to a humble and high performing athlete.

Sport Representative Australian
Aiden Amo Amo Captain of QLD 16 Years team

The Breakfast Series

Parents and Caregivers are invited to our special event "The Breakfast Series" celebrating 150 Years of Christian Brothers Service Ministries in the Edmund Rice Tradition. Join us on Wednesday 20 August at 7am for breakfast and then in Waterford Auditorium when we present a reflection led by an amazing Guest Speaker Roby Curtis, from Emmanuel City Mission. The morning concludes at 8.15am. Tickets are only $15 per person and available by CLICKING HERE. Please RSVP by Friday 8 August.

Community Prayers

Lord, we pray for those in our community who are suffering. Be with them in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Give comfort and peace to those who have lost loved ones. May their sorrow be turned into strength, and their distress turned into peace. May our hearts remain loving and pure as we seek too always be compassionate to those around us.

God bless,

Chris Ryan