30 September 2025 · 2025-09 newsletter
FEBRUARY AND JUNE: GIRLS FAITH CLUB
In early February, 14 girls gathered for the first Girls Faith Club of the year.
We reflected on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and what it means to reflect Jesus’ light as Mary did.
The senior girls group presented a skit to illustrate this.
At the end of June, we gathered again and spoke about how we can express our love of God not only through prayer and going to Holy Mass, but also through our love of neighbour and honouring Jesus in the body of Christ, his church.
8-9 MARCH: JUNIOR LEADERS OVERNIGHT RETREAT
In March, the senior girls, ages 13-18 met again for an overnight retreat at the Shrine for leadership training and a session on womanhood led by Jasmine.
We concluded with reflections on Mary’s life, surrounded by the beautiful nature at Mount Richon.
Mums and younger siblings joined us for the mother-daughter session on Saturday afternoon. We made spiritual Lenten calendars together.
4 MAY: EASTER AND PILGRIMAGE EVENT
On the May Pilgrimage Day, the girls and their families were invited for an Easter event: an egg hunt for the children and the Via Lucis (Way of Light) for the parents.
We had 11 families participate, which included 20 children. Some of the families were able to stay on and attend the May Pilgrimage rosary procession, reflections, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
17 MAY: DAUGHTERS OF MARY
Our second Mother-Daughter session for this year was held at St Aloysius Parish, Shenton Park. We reflected on Easter and the joy of the Resurrection. The junior and senior girls were given the opportunity to create Easter ornaments.
COVENANT OF LOVE, YOUNG ADULTS PILGRIMAGE & OVERNIGHT RETREAT
On 31 May, the Feast of the Visitation, 2 mothers from our Daughters of Mary program and 3 young women made their Covenant of Love in the Shrine. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Joseph Laundy, Seminary Vice Rector, Vocations Office Director and Chaplain of Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM), Perth. The entering of the Covenant was the fruit of weekly preparation sessions in South Perth or via zoom. This was a very blessed moment; for the women it was a culmination of long involvement and leadership at our retreats.
Later that day, we gathered for afternoon tea. The Young Adults Pilgrimage, co-hosted by CYM and SGYW started off with the movie screening of CABRINI. Tristan was amazing, setting up technology to view the movie. Sharne brought a popcorn machine, that was much appreciated and Felicia had beautifully decorated the hall.
On the day prior to the retreat, three of the participants generously prepared snack bags and spiritual bags for each participant.
Mark from CYM joined for the afternoon and prayerfully led us in song at our Jubilee Year Holy Hour at the Shrine. Fr Joe was available for confessions. Each participant was invited to write a letter expressing their pilgrimage offerings and intentions.
Three young women stayed on for an overnight retreat at the Shrine. While it was raining on Saturday, Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day.
MID-YEAR WOMEN’S RETREAT
On 21 June, young women from across Perth came for the Schoenstatt Women’s Retreat at St Columba Parish South Perth. The theme was: “With Mary: Pilgrims of Hope, Nourished by the Eucharist,” honouring the feast we were celebrating the next day, the feast of Corpus Christi. During quiet time, 2 priests were available for confessions. Participants were encouraged to write their Jubilee Year offerings and intentions to be offered at the Shrine. We also created our own holy cards with a prayer to our Lord.
WOMEN FAITH ENRICHMENT: DINNER & MEETING
We organised our annual Women Faith Club dinner where we welcomed women from our various WFC locations to come together for a joyous meal. We heard testimonies and went on to composing a common prayer for our monthly sessions. This year, we have been conducting meetings at Highgate, South Perth and of course, at the Shrine.
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