Homily for Year 10 Thanksgiving Mass, 20 November 2025

As we gather for this Thanksgiving Mass at the end of another school year, our hearts are full – full of gratitude for what we’ve learned, for the friendships we’ve made and for the ways we’ve grown. The reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us beautifully of what it means to belong — to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Paul says, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but members of God’s household.” That’s a powerful image. It tells us that faith is not a solo journey. We are part of a community, built together like stones in a living building, with Christ as the cornerstone — the one who holds everything together.

For you, Year 10 students, this message is especially meaningful. You’ve reached an important milestone — two-thirds of the way through your journey in secondary school. Over the past years, you’ve been building your own “house”: a house of learning, friendship, and faith. Each class, each challenge, each act of kindness has added another brick to that foundation. Think about how your Chisholm community has supported you in that building process — your teachers who guided you, your friends who encouraged you, your families who believed in you and your faith that kept you grounded. You are not “foreigners” here — you belong. You are part of the household of faith that stretches back through the apostles, through St Paul and even through our school’s namesake, Caroline Chisholm — a woman who showed what it means to serve others and build community.

As this year ends and you take time to look back, ask yourselves:

• What kind of house am I building with my life?
• What foundations am I laying for the years ahead?
• Is Christ truly at the centre — the cornerstone — of my life?

Because when Christ is the cornerstone, everything else finds its balance. He helps you face the exams and stresses, the changes and uncertainties, with courage and hope. He reminds you that you are never alone — that you are always part of God’s family.

So today, as we give thanks — for learning, laughter and life — let us also renew our commitment to keep building together:

• To build communities of respect and inclusion, where no one feels like a stranger
• To build lives of faith and service, following the example of Jesus and of Caroline Chisholm
• And to build a future where each of you becomes a strong, living stone in God’s house of love.

May this Mass be a moment of gratitude and renewal — a time to thank God for what has been and to trust Him for what is still to come.

Homily for Year 7 Mass – Using What God Has Given You

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story, one of his parables. A nobleman is going away and before he leaves, he gives each of his servants a small amount of money — a mina. He tells them to look after it and make good use of it until he comes back. When he returns, he asks what they’ve done. Some of them have worked hard and made more from what they were given — they took a risk, used their gifts and made a difference. But one servant hides his mina in a cloth and does nothing with it. He’s afraid to try.

Jesus tells this story to remind us: God gives each of us something valuable and He wants us to use it. Each one of you — every Year 7 student here at Chisholm — has been given something special by God. It might be a talent, a skill, a kindness, a sense of humour, the ability to listen or a caring heart. Sometimes those gifts seem small — like one little coin. But in God’s eyes, even the smallest gift matters. He doesn’t ask you to be the best at everything; He asks you to use what you’ve been given well.

It’s easy to feel nervous about showing your abilities or trying new things. Maybe you think:

• “I’m not good enough.”
• “What if I fail?”
• “What if people laugh?”

But remember the servant who hid his coin? He didn’t do anything wrong on purpose — he was just afraid. Jesus wants us to be brave — to take what we’ve been given and do something with it, even if it’s small.

Try out for that team.

Speak up for someone who’s being left out.

Give your best effort in class.

Share your ideas, your faith, your kindness.

When you do that, you’re being faithful to what God has given you.

Jesus says, “Because you have been trustworthy in small things, you will be trusted with greater things.” That’s a powerful message. When you’re honest, kind and responsible in the little things — like showing respect, helping your classmates or doing your homework well — God sees that. He trusts you with more. That’s how we grow — as students, as friends and as followers of Jesus.

Here at Chisholm Catholic College, you’re a part of a community that believes in developing your gifts — just like the servants in the story. Your teachers, your family and your friends all want to see you discover what makes you shine.

Jesus’ parable reminds us that faith isn’t just about waiting for heaven someday — it’s about what we do today with what we’ve been given. Every moment, every choice, every act of kindness is a chance to use your gifts for good.

So, here’s your challenge, Year 7s:

Think of one gift or talent that God has given you — big or small — and find one way to use it for others this week. It could be helping someone who’s struggling, encouraging a friend, trying your hardest in something new, or showing kindness where it’s needed most.

Loving God,

You have given each of us special gifts and talents.

Help us not to hide them, but to use them to bring joy, hope and kindness to others.

Give us courage to try new things and to make a difference in our school and in the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Fr Ziggy Wloczek
College Chaplain