Our Lady Help of Christians and St Gerard Majella Community Mass 

It was wonderful to see so many families attending our Parish Primary schools’ mass last Sunday.  It was fabulous to join with our students and families for a Sunday Mass in our church.  The students who read and participated in the processions did a wonderful job and it was amazing to see them taking on these responsibilities.   I’m looking forward to our next mass in Term 2.

Religious Identity and Culture

A Catholic school derives its identity and culture from gospel values as well as a rich heritage of Church tradition and practice. The effectiveness of the school’s identity and culture is its capacity to take the inspiration of Jesus Christ and to translate it from the ideal into the real. (Religion Curriculum, Archdiocese of Brisbane)

At Our Lady Help of Christians, our Catholic identity shapes everything we do. It is more than a tradition—it is a living expression of our faith, values, and mission. Our school exists to nurture students in a faith-filled environment where they can grow academically, spiritually, and morally. By embracing our religious identity and culture, we ensure that our school remains a place where Gospel values are lived out every day.

One important way we uphold our Catholic identity is by using the full name of our school—Our Lady Help of Christians—rather than an acronym. By saying Our Lady Help of Christians in full, we honour our spiritual heritage, strengthen our connection to the broader Catholic tradition, and remind ourselves of the values that define our community.

Religious identity and culture are also expressed through prayer, worship, and the way we interact with one another. Our traditions, Mercy charism, feast day, and liturgical celebrations create a strong sense of belonging and remind us that we are part of the universal church. In a world that is constantly changing, maintaining a clear and visible Catholic identity provides stability, purpose, and a deep sense of meaning for our students, staff, and families.

As a Catholic school, we welcome and respect those from all backgrounds while remaining committed to the mission that makes us unique. Let us take pride in our name, our faith, and the rich spiritual culture that unites us as a community of Our Lady Help of Christians.