Term 3, 2026 Newsletter: week 4

Dear Parents,

Last week was National Vocations Awareness Week, which coincided with the visit of Vianney College seminarians and Fr Jomer Calma. Fr Jomer works especially with the first year seminarians. As an aside, I am particularly grateful to Bishop Edwards for allowing Fr Jomer to visit. All the priests of the diocese were called to Wagga Wagga that day for a meeting of priests and principals, save Fr Jomer. It was the feast of the Transfiguration, but, as it fell just two days prior to the Solemnity of St Mary MacKillop, it became our annual St Mary MacKillop Day celebration and, for me at least, was one of the outstanding days of my tenure as principal.

Students met with Fr Jomer and the seminarians in small cohorts of K-2, Year 3-6, Year 7-10 and Year 11&12, with two seminarians giving a talk to each group, except for the Year 11&12 gathering at which Fr Jomer spoke. Our interlocutors came well-prepared and gave profound witness to the nature of God's call to the priesthood. But the thing that left its mark on me was that our students, down to the youngest, completely 'got it.' It was evident in their beaming faces, their undivided attention and sincere questions. 

Then, during the Year 3-6 meeting students started to ask each of the six seminarians how long they had to go before ordination. In any other setting, such a question might have been a trivial distraction, but as each seminarian was asked, students responded with a burst of the most ardent, affirming and perceptive applause. At only 6 months to ordination to the diaconate, Patrick Drum received the most enthusiastic response. I could not help but glow with pride and feel deeply grateful to be working with your children.

Thanks for your support.

Warm regards,

Ian Smith

Principal

Week 4 Term 3, 2026 Newsletter.pdf

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