We begin 2025 with a message of hope from Pope Francis:
As we celebrate this Jubilee Year, we are reminded of God’s infinite mercy, love, and faithfulness. A Jubilee is a time of renewal, a sacred opportunity to embrace God’s grace and to deepen our commitment to faith, learning, and service.
In our school community, we are called to be beacons of hope, reflecting Christ’s light in all we do. This year, let us open our hearts to God’s call, seek reconciliation, and extend kindness to those around us. May our classrooms be places of wisdom, our hallways filled with compassion, and our lives marked by faith in action.
Just as Christ proclaims liberty to captives and sight to the blind (Luke 4:18), may this Jubilee inspire us to bring hope to the world through our words, deeds, and prayers. Let us trust in God’s plan, knowing that He walks with us always.
With hearts full of faith, may we step forward into this blessed year, renewed in His love and strengthened in our mission to serve.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
We also prayer for Pope Francis at this time as he continues to heal in Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital.
We continue the journey of Hope through school life in our actions, friendships, speech and service as we celebrate and honour Hope as it is our school’s focus Value for the year, weaving perfectly with our Jubilee, Year of Hope.
Staff Retreat
The staff retreat was run by the Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS). The theme for this year’s retreat was Being Hopeful and Giving Hope. The staff had a good time recalling the beautiful things that God has showered them and reflecting on the Scriptures. They also looked at different ways on how they could give hope to everyone in school. The key point was “Faith it ‘til you make it”.
Support staff cook over 100 meals for St Vincent De Paul
A very BIG thank you to all our support staff who planned and cooked over 100 meals for St Vincent De Paul during our first two Staff Only days, at the beginning of the year. St Vincent De Paul collected and distributed the meals to those in our community less fortunate than ourselves. An extended thank you to all staff who also donated food items for the meals. What a lovely way to start the year.
Dedication Mass
The Annual Dedication Mass was celebrated on Tuesday 11 February at Christ the King Parish in Owairaka. It was a lovely occasion where all the Catholic schools in the diocese were blessed for their work in the coming year. Teachers who did professional development courses were also recognised.
Opening Mass
We came together at our Opening Mass on Wednesday 12 February to begin our year of Hope and celebrate our gifts, uniqueness, and perfection. Fr Kevin presided over Mass, bringing joy and laughter, as well as reminded us that we are all beautifully and perfectly made in God’s image. Thank you to the staff, students, parents and whānau who helped us bless our Head Prefects as they begin their final year with us in their leadership roles. Click this link to read more in our News Centre (our student-led news portal).
Expectations in full school Masses
The Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS) gave a brief explanation to the school on what to expect in Full School Masses. He explained the value of coming to the Sacred Space with much respect and also talked about how to receive the Holy Communion.
New Student Induction to Special Character
The Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS) gave a glimpse of the Special Character of the school. He focused on the values and virtues of the school and the different practices that we are doing as a school to proclaim God’s love to all. He also encouraged the students to pray, and if possible, with their families and to receive the sacraments. All the new students were also given rosaries to help them in their prayers. He said that prayer is the weapon of Catholics.
New Staff Induction to Special Character
The Assistant DRS gave an induction to the new staff to help them get acquainted with the Catholic practices the school. She encouraged them to be examples of prayer and values to the students.
Kisses for Heart Foundation NZ
The Service Prefects together with the other prefects continued the tradition of having a fundraiser on Valentines Day. They gave out kisses to the students and staff on Valentines Day as requested by those who bought and supported the cause. The proceeds of the fundraising were given to Heart Foundation NZ.
Formed
The school is now subscribed to FORMED. FORMED is a media platform that focuses on evangelising people in the Catholic faith. This has movies, documentaries, talks, etc. that can help the parents, students and staff grow their faith. To sign up, you are to:
- Go to https://formed.org/signup
- Type 2016 for you organisation (Sancta Maria College)
- Type your first and last name
- Type your email address
Year 11 Retreat
The Year 11 retreat was run by Mr. Tamayo, Mr. McCleod and selected Year 13 CSYMI leaders. This was different as the focus is on making the students see that they are loved by God for who they are and that they are to love others by sharing hope to all. This is a commissioning for our Year 11s as they were all encouraged to give witness to the love of God.
The change in this year’s Year 11 retreat is linked to the new course that is given to their year group – Youth Ministry.
CSYMI Leading Retreats to Catholic Primary Schools
Selected Year 13 CSYMI leaders facilitated a retreat to the students of St. Mary’s Primary School. They were trained by Sam Brebner from the Diocese and they shared their personal stories of faith and aroha to the students. The effort that they did was highly appreciated by the school and the Diocese.
SMC By the Gate
This student-led group is carrying-on their mission of praying for everyone. They continually gather every Wednesday before school to reflect on the scriptures and pray for each one’s special intentions. We encourage all the students to use this opportunity to grow their faith through prayer.
In Christ through Sancta Maria,
Mr. Omar Leo Tamayo
Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS)
