Faith Matters
Mission & Identity Resources
October 2026
Opening Reflection
Earlier this year I was delighted to finally see published our Loreto Ministries Induction Booklet entitled ‘Walking Together: Loreto past, present and future’. I originally began writing an induction resource to support staff new to the Loreto Centre. Then, as Loreto Ministries continued to evolve, I saw its potential to develop as a resource for new canonical trustee directors, school board directors and principals. As I continued to discern what should and shouldn’t be included, I realised that the booklet could become part of a suite of resources developed in support of the broader Loreto network’s understanding of the whys and wherefores of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons. And so, the ‘booklet’ evolved with an eye to developing potential future leaders in Loreto schools and ministries – then finally, it came to life.
It has been gratifying to see how this induction resource has been received. The appetite in schools to better understand MPJPs and their role in the Church speaks to the willingness and determination of our senior leaders to support this expression of leadership in the Church. It is also a reminder to all in school governance that we must be continually looking for ways to harness the enthusiasm of future leaders and support their development.
I’m very grateful to Karen Fogarty, Manager, Communications & Marketing, and Gareth Lewis, Creative Director, for their advice and gifts that finally brought the text to life. And now I offer to you, the Loreto Ministries Induction Booklet: ‘Walking Together: Loreto past, present and future’ - a celebration of Loreto education, the women and traditions that have positioned Loreto schools as they are in the world today, and an insight into our MPJP – its purposes, mission and vision.
‘God’s work – the beginning, middle and the end’
A Mary Ward Maxim
Mission Calendar Days
1st October
International Day of Older Persons
The United Nations theme for this year’s International Day of Older Persons is “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”. It encourages us to think about the logistics of supporting an increasing number of older people. Yet ‘The Age of Longevity’, makes me think of blessings – the blessing that is each older person that we have the great privilege of being close to. It evokes gratitude for the opportunity to learn from these gifts, to love and be loved by them, to care for and be cared about by them. On this International Day of Older Persons, let’s make a point of telling those we love that we love them – even if we are older persons ourselves.
It is wonderful to see the way Loreto schools celebrate grandparents! You may enjoy this coverage of 2026 Grandparents Day celebrations at some of the Loreto schools, shared on their social media pages:
Message from His Holiness Leo XIV For the Sixth World Day For Grandparents And The Elderly (July, 2026), with the theme “I will never forget you (Is 49:15)”.
The Insidious Impacts of Ageism – by Jo Skinner, published in Eureka Street
Fact sheet on the Mental Health of Older Adults from the World Health Organisation
Australian Human Rights Commission information on Older People’s Rights
4th October
Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi
In this special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, Pope Leo XIV has highlighted for us many of the lessons of the life of this remarkable saint. During Pope Leo’s visit to Assisi in August, he met with young people who asked how we can embrace the lessons of St. Francis’ service and hospitality in a world that is so fractured by oppression and consumerism. In his responses, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of dialogue to being a true peacemaker (‘Pope in Assisi: Build a civilisation of love, not division’). May this feast day reinspire our commitment to engaging with open hearts and minds, that we may better hear others and build unity in our communities.
Video clip of Pope Leo reflecting on what St Francis might say if
you met him on the streets of Assisi.Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace - Choir with lyrics
11th October
International Day of the Girl Child
This annual day was initiated by the United Nations in 2012 to address the unique challenges faced by girls worldwide. The aims of the International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) are:
- to highlight and address the needs and challenges
which girls face throughout the globe,
- to help girls find training and education to help create
young successful women, and to empower girls and
support them in fulfilling their human rights and living
free from harm.
By highlighting the challenges faced by girls, IDGC strives to create equal opportunities and foster a world where girls can thrive.
The priorities of the IBVM / CJ UN NGO at the United Nations also speak to these goals. Through this office the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus engage in awareness raising, advocacy and action that not only works for justice but also provides opportunities for the young women in our schools to share their voices. It is always great to see Loreto students engaging in conversation circles promoted by this NGO, and in doing so participating in the over 400 year legacy of Mary Ward women empowering women to seek truth and do justice.
The UN 2026 International Day of the Girl Child theme is “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”
Let me be a child, not a wife – Executive Summary from Plan International’s research findings of girls’ experiences of living through child marriage
Current Mary Ward International Australia projects investing in girls’ rights
in India - Darjeeling’s Collective Voices and Survivor Leadership in Basirhat
Loreto Kirribilli Social Justice Leaders
Lulu Warren and Isabel Seeto
October 11th - 17th
Anti-Poverty Week
The Social Justice Trends newsletter from the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service is well worth signing up to, if you haven’t already. The editorial in the August edition
explored the recommendations of the Study Group established by Pope Francis to explore how we listen more attentively and effectively to the cry of the poor and the earth in a synodal Church. It also considered the first set of recommendations, which focus on existing and new methods of reaching out and listening. This editorial begins an edition firmly focused on respecting the dignity of all humans and building for the common good.
Anti-Poverty Week demands that we see such action as an imperative.
Act to end poverty in 2026 from Anti-Poverty Week website
– also their Promotional Kit and Fast Facts downloadable resourcesSustainable Development Goals connected to this day
The great Australian silence on poverty – This column first appeared in Eureka Street and has been republished with permission by Global Catholic.
ACBC’s Social Justice Statement Feb 2026 – “The Cost of Our Living – Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good” and the follow-up statement from August 2026 – “Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division”.
10th September
World Teachers’ Day in Australia
The 2026 World Teachers’ Day in Australia theme is: “Shine a light on teachers”. All too often in the media we read negative stories about schools; may we take this day to remind the teachers we know that their service is invaluable, and that we are truly grateful for their efforts to provide an education that “liberates, empowers and motivates students to use their individual gifts with confidence, creativity and generosity in loving and responsible service.” (Loreto Schools Australia Mission Statement, p.3)
God of Love,
We thank you for every teacher and school leader who pours wisdom,
patience, and love into the lives of others.
We give thanks too for all the support staff without whom our schools
could not run.
Refresh these pivotal people when they feel tired,
strengthen them when the work feels difficult,
and remind them that their influence reaches far beyond the classroom.
Bless their classrooms, their schools, their families, and their calling.
May they continue to be inspirations to every student they serve.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
THANK YOU
Carolyn Young
Director, Mission & Identity
BA (Hons.), GradDipEd (Sec.), MRE, MEdLead, MBA (Exec)
M: 0460 034 208
"Serve God with great love and liberty of mind" MARY WARD