Our Chapel

We are very fortunate to have our own private chapel here in the Pastoral Centre and we are well used to sharp intakes of breath when visitors to the Centre see the chapel for the first time, for it is beautiful.  Our stained glass windows are vibrant with colour and depict the Mysteries of the Rosary.  They are the first thing you notice when you enter the chapel.

We use the chapel for groups to meditate in during the day and to celebrate their prayer service in at the end of each retreat day.  

The De La Salle Brothers who live here, use the chapel for their morning and evening prayers too, so it is a well used and much loved sacred space.  

Recently the chapel has had a fresh coat of paint and the floor has been polished to a high shine. The morning after it had all been finished I took this photograph because it looked so peaceful and lovely.

Later on that day, a group from St. Bride's Primary School brought their own vibrant colours to the chapel, celebrating the day that they had in a prayer service of colour, song, scripture, thoughtful prayers and drama.

It is great sometimes to have a chapel all to yourself and spend some quality time with God, but it is equally good to be with others in God's presence, praying together and supporting one another.

Year 14 Retreats

At the start of this school year we had the pleasure of the company of the Year 14 students from Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School and Mercy College.

Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Year 14 Class

Year 14 is a big year in so many ways and in between studying for very important exams, filling in university applications, getting organised for the school formal, making important decisions and choices about the future and facing the prospect of long-time friends going their separate ways, it can be very hard to find time to reflect on everything that is happening and try to see where God is in it all.

We believe that allowing ourselves that time is very important and so our Year 14 retreat encourages each individual to reflect on their own lives up to this point and to notice God's action in their lives. It also allows time for each person to reflect on the people who have been part of the journey through school with them, their classmates, and to affirm them.

It is perhaps the most reflective of all our retreat programmes and it can be very poignant for the Year 14s as they face into great changes in their lives.

When everything else in our lives is changing or in flux,

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

 Hebrews 13:8

We thank all the Year 14s who came here for their retreats and we ask God to bless them and to bless all Year 14s as they prepare for the exciting changes and opportunities that await them.