Hundreds of students, parents and carers, teachers and clergy from Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Parramatta gathered for the 2024 Education Mass to celebrate our schools’ commitment to Faith in Action and their positive engagement in the community.
Held at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, the Mass was led by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv and celebrated the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In his inspiring Homily, Bishop Vincent said the Mass was a renewal of our commitment to follow the example of Mary in our lives and be bearers of her son Jesus’ good news.
“Blessed Virgin Mary is the prototype of the normal disciple,” Bishop Vincent said.
She exemplifies closeness with the poor, solidarity with the needy, compassion for the afflicted. Like Mary, we must be totally permeated by the Holy Spirit. We must be consumed by action for God's Kingdom – Mary is the sign of hope for humanity.
In his address, Executive Director Jack de Groot reflected on his own experience of mission and service while announcing CSPD’s new Religious Education curriculum Encountering Jesus.
“When I think about why my work has always taken me to places of service, I can pinpoint two things: my education and my faith,” said Jack.
“When my parents chose to send me to a Catholic school, they knew they wanted to provide me with an excellent education grounded in Catholic tradition. They wanted me to experience opportunities to put my faith into action and to live it out within the community.”
Jack said his hope is that the new Religious Education curriculum builds on and reflects this same intention families have for their children at our schools.
“Encountering Jesus reflects our intention for all students to have a deep encounter with the person and message of Jesus Christ, to really get to know and love Jesus. To see Him in others, and to be Him to others,” he said.The curriculum has been endorsed by Bishop Vincent along with Australian and international Catholic theologians and educators.
“Encountering Jesus isn't so much about learning some external rules; it is to internalise the experience of encountering, knowing, loving and serving Christ,” Bishop Vincent said.
Following the Mass, participants were invited to explore the Mission Agency Expo. The expo highlights the work of the many expressions of faith and service that are already present in our learning communities, including Catechist teaching in local government primary schools, Eucharistic minister training, as well as advocacy and support of church agencies such as Mercy Works, St Vincent de Paul and Jesuit Refugee Services.
“Today’s celebration was a significant moment in the life of our Diocese,” said Andrew Wilson, CSPD’s Head Mission. “Encountering Jesus will provide our students with an opportunity to come to know Jesus and to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith. I am excited to work with our teachers and leaders, and to hear how our students are putting their learning into practice in their communities.”
Learn more about the Religious Education Curriculum.
View photos from this event View full gallery
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
-
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🐰 Easter Raffle this Friday, 27th March! 🐰 Friendly reminder to purchase your raffle tickets by midnight tonight! Don’t miss your chance to win some egg-citing prizes this Easter 🐣 Grab your tickets before it’s too late!
23 Mar 2026
From Facebook
A child in our school remarked..."Is this for real? Do children really not have enough clean water???" Our answer is YES and our hearts say this is not okay. Jesus would want us to help and today we did. We followed Jesus' footsteps. Today we bridged that gap by walking in solidarity with those who don't have access to clean water. We stopped 4 times to learn how precious water must be shared out to animals, washing up and drinking. A big heartfelt thank you to St Anthony's community for raising over $4000 for Caritas to provide these much needed water tanks to communities most in need. Thanks for bringing your buckets and walking for water! Thank you to the staff willing to be dunked to raise funds for Caritas.
Latest News More news
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🐰 Easter Raffle this Friday, 27th March! 🐰 Friendly reminder to purchase your raffle tickets by midnight tonight! Don’t miss your chance to win some egg-citing prizes this Easter 🐣 Grab your tickets before it’s too late!
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
23 Mar 2026
From Facebook
A child in our school remarked..."Is this for real? Do children really not have enough clean water???" Our answer is YES and our hearts say this is not okay. Jesus would want us to help and today we did. We followed Jesus' footsteps. Today we bridged that gap by walking in solidarity with those who don't have access to clean water. We stopped 4 times to learn how precious water must be shared out to animals, washing up and drinking. A big heartfelt thank you to St Anthony's community for raising over $4000 for Caritas to provide these much needed water tanks to communities most in need. Thanks for bringing your buckets and walking for water! Thank you to the staff willing to be dunked to raise funds for Caritas.
22 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💧 Walk for Water – TOMORROW! 💧 Don’t forget to wear your sports uniform and bring a bucket as we walk in solidarity with those who don’t have easy access to water. Let’s make every step count 💙 If your sponsors haven’t donated yet, please use the link below:
21 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Don't forget your bucket on Monday for our Water Walk!! Make sure you put your name on it so it doesn't get lost.
20 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌍🧡 Harmony Day at St Anthony’s — celebrating diversity, inclusion and that everyone belongs. 🧡🌍
18 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Thank you for your massive effort in supporting communities without water!!! There is still time to collect sponsors for our Walk for Water on Monday if you have not already done so. See you on Monday, in sports uniform, with a bucket and ready to walk for water!
18 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🇦🇺 A special milestone worth celebrating! 🇦🇺 Jershen (Year 4) and Jeroshin (Kindergarten) and their family officially became Australian citizens on Monday 16th March 2026 - a proud and memorable moment. We warmly congratulate them on this special occasion and celebrate this important achievement with them. ❤️
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
18 of our Year 5/6 Faith in Action students walked in solidarity with children who have to walk up to 30minutes per day to get clean water. They walked with nearly 600 other students from schools across the Parramatta Diocese at Parramatta Park. Students understood: * how contaminated water sources can be * the role of women and children in this process * how hard it feels to walk long distances with heavy buckets of water Let's unite against poverty and support Caritas to get more water tanks to those who truly need it. Continue to collect sponsors for our school Walk for Water next Monday and donate via this link: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/stanthonysprimaryschoolgirraween and bring in a gold coin to Dunk our Teachers!
10 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Come and visit our Faith in Action Students to Donate to Dunk the Teachers!!! Bring in a gold coin or a few and choose who we can dunk. All proceeds will be going to Caritas to enable ALL children to gain access to clean water just like we have. Let's give alms this Lent and walk in the footsteps of Jesus! Donate before school or at recess each day this and next week.