As a Catholic school community, we are reminded that our faith is not something we keep to ourselves. Faith is something we live, celebrate and share with one another.  Prayer is at the heart of this journey. When we pray, we take time to speak with God, to listen, to give thanks and to place our hopes and worries in His hands. Prayer reminds us that we are never walking alone. It strengthens us to face the challenges of each day and helps us to recognise God working in our lives.

This is why going to church and participating in Mass matters. Mass is more than simply something we attend. It is where we gather as the Body of Christ, listen to God’s Word, receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and are sent back into the world to live what we believe. When we make the effort to attend Mass, we are saying that our relationship with God matters and that our faith deserves our time and attention.

But knowing our faith also requires us to learn about it. We cannot share something we do not know. The more we discover about Jesus, Scripture, the Sacraments, Mary, the saints and the teachings of the Church, the more we understand who we are and what we are called to be.  At the same time, each of us comes from a different background. We bring different cultures, languages, traditions, experiences and stories into our community. These differences are not something to hide; they are gifts to be shared. When we share our culture with others, we allow people to see the richness of God’s creation. We learn from one another, respect one another and grow together.

Our school community is therefore a beautiful meeting place of different people, cultures and experiences, united by our Catholic faith. We may not all be the same, but we are called to walk in the same direction.

Towards Christ. Towards love. Towards the Kingdom of God.

Jesus calls us not only to look after ourselves, but to look after one another. Our responsibility is to encourage one another in faith, to support one another when life is difficult, to celebrate one another’s gifts, and to help each other become the people God calls us to be.  In a very real sense, our duty is to help bring one another to heaven. That means asking ourselves:

Do my words bring someone closer to God?
Do my actions help another person feel valued and loved?
Am I willing to learn more about my faith?
Do I make time for prayer and Mass?
Am I willing to share my culture and learn from the culture of others?
Am I helping to build a community where everyone can encounter Christ?

Let us continue to pray together, worship together, learn together and share our lives with one another. Let us celebrate the cultures and gifts that make our community unique, while remembering what unites us: we are all children of God, called to love one another and to journey together towards His Kingdom.  May everything we do as a school help us to become a community where faith is lived, culture is celebrated, differences are respected, and Christ is made known.

Our journey is not just about getting to heaven ourselves. It is about making sure we take others with us.

Assumption Mass
We extend our sincere thanks to Fr Benedict, members of our Board, Philip Mahoney, staff, and students who shared in Feast of the Assumption Mass earlier in the term. The celebration served as a poignant reminder of Mother Mary’s steadfast faith, humility, and service to the Lord.

Wednesday Mass
Thank you to everyone who is leading and attending our weekly Masses with Fr. Benedict at St Luke’s Parish.  We have celebrated Tongan and Filipino Language Weeks over the past two Wednesdays.

Caring Foundation Mass
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, students from across Auckland gathered for the annual Caring Mass and Awards hosted by the Catholic Caring Foundation. Celebrated by Bishop Steve Lowe at Christ the King Parish in Owairaka, the liturgy brought together Catholic teachers, whānau, and supporting charity agencies from across Auckland. Click this link to read the full details.

A question often asked: What does it mean to be part of a Catholic School?
Choosing a Catholic school means becoming part of a faith community. It is more than choosing a place for education; it is choosing to support a community that seeks to know, love and follow Jesus Christ.  

For Students – they are expected to participate respectfully in prayer, Mass, liturgies and Religious Education, to learn about their Catholic faith, and to live the Gospel through kindness, respect, service and compassion. You do not need to know everything about your faith—you simply need to be willing to learn, participate and grow. 

For Parents and Whānau – you are the first educators of their children. By choosing a Catholic school, families are asked to support the school’s Catholic identity, encourage participation in prayer, Mass and faith activities, and work in partnership with the school to nurture their child’s faith and character. 

For Staff – they are called to be witnesses to Christ. We are expected to support the school’s Catholic mission, participate in prayer and formation, and model Gospel values through the way we teach, lead and treat others. 

Together as a Community – we come from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and these differences enrich our community. We celebrate our diversity while being united by our Catholic faith.  Our goal is not simply to educate successful students, but to form good people who know their purpose, serve others and seek to live as followers of Christ. 

Being part of a Catholic school means that we share a responsibility for one another: to pray together, learn together, serve together and help one another on our journey towards the Kingdom of God.  

Ultimately, our duty is to help bring one another to heaven.

Yours in Christ through Mary,
Mr. Omar Leo Tamayo
Leader of Special Character Mission and Liturgy (DRS)