Remembering Pope Francis

Last week each year level came together to remember and pray for Pope Francis. We learned of his early life, his family and growing up in Argentina. We watched some very beautiful clips where he interacted so gently and beautifully with comedians, with children and with those experiencing sadness.

We prayed our final prayer together:

Risen Jesus,

We pray in thanks for the life and leadership of Pope Francis. We trust he is now enjoying his eternal reward resting in the arms and heart of God. Comfort his family and friends. Let his unique and special spirit shine on in our world, our Church and in all people.

God of Life, hear us,

God of Life, hear our prayer.

Wednesday Morning Prayer

Last week our Year 12s facilitated another beautiful morning prayer in the Regnet Christus Chapel. As we are now in the weeks of Eastertide, the Year 12s chose to prepare their prayer around the theme of ‘Easter’. We also had some Year 12 parents join us which was lovely. 

We decorated the Chapel, lit special Easter candles and prayed for all those in need of our prayers. Our College Captain, Keiva Kell, shared a beautiful reflection on what the Gospel meant for her in her own life. We concluded our prayer by singing together the final (Easter) verse from ‘Lord of the Dance’. It was a delight to welcome nine parents onsite the week prior for our Wednesday Morning Prayer. 

When your daughter’s class is rostered on to prepare and lead prayer, you will receive an invitation to join her class for prayer together. Please know parents, that you are always welcome! Our Wednesday Morning Prayer always begins at 8:20am.

Baptcare

One of our outreach activities is visiting residents at Baptcare, the day respite care facility next to the College. Here is a reflection from our Year 10 students about that activity. 

"As a part of our college outreach, a group of us year 10 students had the opportunity to visit a Baptcare, day respite centre next to the school. We were put in charge of organising activities or conversation starters so that we could engage with the elderly people who attend. It was an amazing experience which tested our social skills and small talk abilities. 

During the visit, our group decided to do colouring, card games and have conversations. We were told stories and had an amazing time getting to know them. Although short, this experience was truly meaningful and memorable for everybody who participate. All of us were extremely grateful for this opportunity." - Isabella, Clemmie, Emily, Dollwia, Eleisha, and Matilda.

Australian Catholics

There are some wonderful articles and reflections for you to access and share with your families. We hope you enjoy sharing this resource. Log in using the email address parents@olsh.vic.edu.au and password: acparents.

Ms Megan Donohue
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Commissioning our new FIRE Carriers

On Wednesday, ten students and one staff member were commissioned as FIRE Carriers for our school community. OLSH College Bentleigh is a proud FIRE Carrier school.

FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education, an initiative through the Catholic Aboriginal Ministry of Victoria.

We commit to laying strong foundations in our school community to build respect, understanding and knowledge of our shared story that started in this rich land over 60,000 years ago and continues today.

We:

• lead Reconciliation activities
• encourage the use of Aboriginal elements in our liturgy
• acknowledge traditional custodians
• fundraise for the Opening the Doors Foundation, which provides school resources for our indigenous sisters and brothers
• revise and action our school covenant
• celebrate significant dates in our shared history
• attend Fire Carrier meetings
• are proud to be Fire Carriers

Congratulations to all our newly commissioned student and staff FIRE Carriers! We are proud of you.

"I have been a FIRE Carrier at OLSH for 4 years now and it is an integral part of who I am. As Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education, I enjoy connecting and acknowledging the beautiful cultures of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Through numerous fundraisers, awareness through assemblies, creating posters and other initiatives, the FIRE Carrier community consistently gather to parade the cultures of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I am proud to be a FIRE Carrier at OLSH!" - Roma

Gospel and reflection

For your personal prayer, reflection and interest we will include the Sunday Gospel reading and a reflection on the Gospel in our College newsletters. I hope this helps you to deepen your faith as you engage with the Jesus of the Gospels.

GOSPEL Jn 10:27-30

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
I give my sheep eternal life.
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ

CLAIMED BY THE FATHER

On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, our Gospel attention turns traditionally to John’s ‘parable’ of the Good Shepherd. Each of the lines in today’s Gospel deserves special and lingering attention. ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice’: The sheep are the members of John’s Gospel household. Listening to the voice of Jesus is what links to the next line: Jesus ‘knows’ those who listen to him. ‘Know’ refers not to information about, but an intimate link with. Jesus ‘knows’ with a depth of intimate love.

This intimacy flows over into the experience of ‘eternal life’ (the next line). It also brings about a communion that leads to identity and ‘being found’. If you have ever felt lost, either personally or in life direction, Jesus offers a centre, an eternal promise of identity that will never be taken away. This is the sense behind Jesus’ reassurance to John’s audience of never ‘being stolen’. Those who follow Jesus are claimed by the Father. They will always be found, and are one with Jesus’ God because, as John asserts at the Gospel’s conclusion, Jesus and the Father are ‘one’.

Today’s Gospel is rich and powerful. We celebrate Jesus’ love of us, his desire that we ‘know’ our communion with him and his Father. Through Jesus we are one, eternally, with the Father. He continues to shepherd us.

Fr Michael Trainor

Gospel reading from The Jerusalem Bible, Copyright © 1966 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. and Gospel Reflection, © St Pauls Publications 2025, are published with permission of St Pauls Publications. Strathfield NSW. All rights reserved.