Faith & Identity

Our Identity

St Patrick’s College Townsville was established as an educational institution in the late 1800s by the Sisters of Mercy who had come to Townsville at the request of Bishop Quinn. 

The College from this time until 2012 was under the governance of The Sisters of Mercy Townsville.  With the amalgamation of many of the congregations, which went on to form the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, St Patrick’s College came under the governance of the canonical body, Mercy Partners in 2012.

Our College identity remains deeply immersed in the Mercy ethos handed down by Catherine McAuley. 

An education in the Mercy tradition invites us to take up a challenge – one that encourages us to develop fully our own God given talents. At the same time, it enkindles within us a desire to assist others, so that they too ‘may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)  

Students of all faiths who are supportive of our values and of the Catholic ethos are welcome at St Patrick’s College Townsville. 

Religious Education Curriculum

Our Religious Education curriculum is based on the directives set out by the Bishop of the Townsville Catholic Diocese and follows the curriculum developed by Brisbane Catholic Diocese for Prep to Year 10. It seeks to encourage students to explore new depths to their spirituality and to develop their religious literacy in the Catholic tradition.

In the Senior years, the students select either Study of Religion (General Subject) or Religion and Ethics (Applied Subject).  These syllabi have been developed by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and give students an opportunity to explore the significance of religion in the lives of individuals and communities while investigating the contribution religion plays to shaping and interpreting people’s lives and experiences.

Prayer Life

While the prayer life of the College is experienced in daily classes in Pastoral Care Groups and Religion classes, the College community gathers together throughout the year for masses and liturgies to observe and celebrate significant events and feast days in the Church calendar.  These include our annual Welcoming Mass, St Patrick’s Feast Day Mass, Mercy Day Mass and the End of Year Mass.

As a Year level, students gather for a prayer celebration each term to give thanks for what has gone before and to prayer for support for what is to come.  In times of great joy and great sadness, the College gathers together as a prayerful community.  

Our residential students attend Mass every Saturday or Sunday during the term.

Meditation

Christian Meditation is a way of developing a personal inner prayer life.  The girls are trained in Christian Meditation which is a wonderful life skill, assisting with the development of self-control, self-esteem, confidence and mindfulness.  While students experience meditation in the classroom regularly, students and staff are invited to participate in Community meditation before and after school on a weekly basis.

Sacraments

Mary Help of Christians Parish invites those girls who are interested in becoming Catholics, and who have the support of their families, to participate in the Sacramental program.  Working together, the Parish and the College work through the program with the girls as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.  For further information contact the Parish office or the College office.

Retreats

Each year all students at St Patrick’s College Townsville participate in Retreat experiences.  These may be in the form of several days away where different aspects of our spirituality are explored and experienced, or it may be a session at school or within a camp experience, where more specific aspects of our Catholic tradition and our relationship with God and each other are discussed and reflected upon.