Students Participate in Sandhurst Catholic Mission Socktober Launch

Students recently travelled to Shepparton to join peers from across the Sandhurst Diocese for the Sandhurst Catholic Mission Socktober Mass and Launch.

The day brought together students from St Augustine’s College, Kyabram; St Brendan’s, Shepparton; St Joseph’s, Euroa; St Luke’s, Shepparton; Notre Dame College, Shepparton; and Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, to celebrate faith, mission, and social justice.

The liturgy centred on the African nation of Malawi, inviting students to reflect on the faith, culture, and daily life of the Malawian people. Our students played an active role throughout the celebration, with each student contributing by reading, carrying banners, or presenting symbolic items that represented the lives and experiences of the people of Malawi.

Following the Mass, students participated in a range of interactive activities designed to deepen their understanding of the aims of Socktober. Catholic Mission’s Socktober program encourages students to engage their heads, hearts, and hands in issues of mission and social justice through the powerful metaphor of sport, particularly the world game of soccer.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a hands-on challenge where students worked together to create a soccer ball using scraps of recycled materials and tape. The activity provided an insight into the resourcefulness of communities around the world and encouraged students to reflect on the different circumstances in which children live and play.

The day was a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen connections with other Catholic schools, deepen their understanding of global citizenship, and explore how faith calls us to support and stand in solidarity with communities around the world.

“I really enjoyed the Socktober Event in Shepperton. To start the day off, we went to a big Mass where everyone who came had a role to play, either by reading or speaking. Then we learnt about the incredible mission of Socktober and about the kids in Malawi.

I enjoyed the day because it helped me see the lives of the kids in Malawi. How we are so fortunate and there are many things we can do to help them. It helped me get closer to my classmates and learn new things.” (Ava Giblin)