On Tuesday 25 February, St Paul's Indigenous Education Worker, Dre Barker, and myself accompanied a number of respectful students to the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Rides commemoration service at Chappel Park near the swimming pool.

During this time, the students heard about the experiences of the students and Dr Charles Perkins and the discrimination that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had experienced at this time. The theme of courage and working together was very evident from all the speakers. It is important that we recognise and acknowledge the past and encourage our young people to continue to make a difference. It was lovely to see a number of St Paul’s alumni present at this occasion.

For the next six newsletters, I will give a brief sketch of six young millennials — those born between 1981 and 1996 — who followed Jesus with all their hearts and today are a source of inspiration to new generations.

Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis was a young Italian born in 1991 who, despite his short life, left a profound legacy of love for the Eucharist. Known as the "cyber apostle of the Eucharist", Carlo used his computer skills to evangelise, creating a digital exhibit of Eucharistic miracles.

From childhood, Carlo showed a special devotion to the Mass as well as praying the rosary. When he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006, he offered his sufferings “for the Lord, the pope, and the Church.” He died on October 12 of that same year and was buried in Assisi, following his desire to be close to St Francis.

His path to sainthood progressed quickly. He was declared venerable in 2018 and blessed in 2020 after the approval of a first miracle. On 23 May 2024, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle, which occurred in Florence, where a young Costa Rican woman miraculously recovered from a serious accident. Carlo is scheduled to be canonized during the Jubilee of Teenagers in April, becoming the first millennial saint and a model of holiness for young people in the digital age. (Source Catholic Telegraph)

Year of the Jubilee
In the last newsletter, I spoke about Pope Francis who has called this year a Jubilee Year - Hope. The logo that was designed for 2025 summarises the year and what it is about.

The Logo shows four stylized figures to indicate all of humanity from the four corners of the earth. They are each embracing another, indicating the solidarity and brotherhood that must unite peoples. It should be noted that the first figure is clinging to the cross. The underlying waves are choppy to indicate that the pilgrimage of life is not always on calm waters. Oftentimes personal circumstances and world events call for a greater sense of hope. This is why the lower part of the Cross is elongated turning into an anchor, which dominates the movement of the waves. As is well known, the anchor has often been used as a metaphor for hope. It should be noted that the image shows how the pilgrim's journey is not individual, but rather communal. The Cross is by no means static, but it, too, is dynamic, bending toward and meeting humanity as if not to leave it alone, but rather offering the certainty of its presence and the reassurance of hope (source: The Vatican)

RCIA Program - Commencing Soon
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a Catholic? Or would you like to learn more about the Catholic faith? A new ‘Journeying in Faith’ program for adults will commence soon in the parish office meeting room.

For more information please contact Fr James on 6562 5182 or email pastoraloffice@mvcp.org.au

Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission 

lesa.morrison@lism.catholic.edu.au