American Youth Minister and musician Steve Angrisano reassured students of St John Paul II Catholic College in Schofields that they are not alone as “God is sometimes much closer than we realise”.
Mr Angrisano did two shows at St John Paul II Catholic College Scholfields before heading over to the Nirimba campus for a surprise third show. In the audience for his shows were also students from Santa Sophia Catholic College and St Joseph’s Primary School.
Mr Angrisano said his visit was a chance for students to experience a day of evangelisation.
“I love that this is the Year of Youth and one of its themes is the joy of the gospel,’’ Mr Agrisano said.
“Something I like to tell my audiences, which is from a priest in Australia is ‘A fish could never describe water to you because how prevalent the water is around him’.
“Quite often, people ask me ‘Where is God?’ and I think what a peculiar thing to say when we are made in the image and likeness of God.
“I encourage the students to be a reflection of God to each other. I hope they realise God is present in their lives and they are called to be a reflection of God to others.”
“I think one thing I would say having come to Australia six or seven years in a row now, is that I see in the young people a desire and a passion for hope, truth and faith.’’
He said that he saw this when he attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) event last year. He described it as the launching pad into faith particular for the 1000 or so young people who attended.
"To see the young people at ACYF practise their faith and then to come back and see the fruit of that is very rewarding,’’ Mr Angrisano said.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
Latest News More news
18 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Celebrating Success in the School of Challenge From Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Age Champions to our Bill Turner and PDSSSC Basketball Champions — our students continue to shine both in sport and the arts! 🎉 Special congratulations to: • Iris C.– People’s Choice Award at the SSCC Art Showcase • Delyla, Georgia and Averie – Outstanding performance at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Well done to all students for your hard work and achievements — we are so proud of you all!
18 Aug 2025
From Facebook
🏅 Celebrating Achievement in the School of Challenge Last week, students in the School of Challenge were recognised with Principal’s Awards, as well as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and even Platinum Awards! 🌟 👏 Congratulations to all for your amazing achievements — your hard work and dedication to your studies and school life are truly shining through. A special mention to Angela for receiving the Platinum Award — an outstanding accomplishment to be proud of! 💫 Well done, everyone! #PBS4L Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
15 Aug 2025
From Facebook
🚗💜 Kiss, Drop & Go – Like a Pro! 💜🚗 Thank you to all our parents and carers for your support over the past few weeks as we’ve implemented our revised Kiss & Drop procedures. To support our continued focus on safety, our School of Curiosity student leaders have created a short video to show how we can all do our part to keep drop-off and pick-up smooth and safe. 🎬 In just a few minutes, you’ll learn: ✅ Why students should enter/exit independently from the passenger side ✅ Why bags belong in the seat, not in the boot ✅ Why parents must stay in the car — be brave and wave! ✅ How everyone can contribute to a smoother Kiss & Drop zone 👧👦✨ Let’s work together to ensure our students arrive and leave school safely, every single day. #SantaSophia #KissAndDrop #LikeAPro #StudentSafety #ParentPartnerships #SmoothDropOffs Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
14 Aug 2025
From Facebook
📿 Feast of the Assumption of Mary Tomorrow, our College will come together to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. As a result, there will be no Before School Mass this Friday. We will resume as normal next Friday, 22 August.
13 Aug 2025
From Facebook
STEM MAD Day – Santa Sophia Students Shine! This week, our creative problem-solvers from Years 4–7 represented Santa Sophia Catholic College brilliantly at STEM MAD Day (Make a Difference). They wowed audiences with innovative projects. Our students didn’t just present—they explored! They had hands-on fun with virtual reality, launched catapults, and experimented with Makey Makey circuits, sparking their curiosity and creativity even further. We are incredibly proud of how confidently they presented, collaborated, and showed that STEM can change the world. A huge thank you to our amazing staff, supportive families, and the organisers who made this event possible. Well done, innovators—you truly Made a Difference! 💡🌏 #STEMMAD #SantaSophiaProud #InnovationInAction #FaithLearningCommunity
13 Aug 2025
From Facebook
GenAI Revolution: What Does It Mean for Our Kids? Join us for an engaging parent session on the rapidly growing role of Generative AI (GenAI) in education, technology, and family life. 📚 Learn how GenAI is shaping the way children learn, think, and engage — and how you can help them thrive in today’s digital world. 🔹 Session 1: Face-to-Face Workshop 📅 Thursday, 14 August ⏰ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm 📍 Santa Sophia Catholic College – School Hall 👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/T6dFqMer7rFfZbNd7 We strongly encourage all parents to attend this important session! 💡
12 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Today, our Year 6 girls, Audrey V. and Evie R. proudly represented Santa Sophia at the Cluster Finals — and both came home with awards! 🎉 Evie R. received the Social Justice Award for her powerful speech raising awareness of an important and relevant social issue. Audrey V. was named Cluster Finalist and will progress to the Voice of Youth Division Finals at the end of the term, competing against finalists from across half of the Parramatta Diocese. A brilliant achievement from both girls — we are so proud of you! 💛👏 #VoiceofYouth Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
12 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Feast Day of St Mary MacKillop 🙏 Last Friday, our School of Curiosity gathered in faith to honour Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint. Mary was a shining example of compassion, courage, and service. Through prayer led by Father Carlos, and song beautifully shared by Year 2 and the choir under the direction of Mrs Makdessi and Mr Rooke, we reflected on and celebrated her life. Mary MacKillop placed her trust in God’s providence and lived by her call to “never see a need without doing something about it.” 💙
11 Aug 2025
From Facebook
A massive congratulations to our SSCC football team on a fantastic Bill Turner season! 👏 Last Friday, Santa Sophia competed in the final 16 of this interstate competition, going head-to-head with Edmund Rice College, Wollongong. Our team played with grit and determination, staying competitive throughout the match before going down 3–0. We’re so proud of your achievements and the way you represented our school. Well done, team — onward and upward to the next challenge! 💪💙 #BillTurnerCup #SantaSophiaSport
11 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Each year, Year 6 students from across the Parramatta Diocese participate in a Public Speaking Competition. Our students are tasked with writing and presenting a speech with an engaging topic and strong message, affording them the opportunity to build confidence, think critically, and develop strong communication skills — and our Year 6 students have certainly risen to the challenge! Last Tuesday, 8 talented students from across our Year 6 classes competed in the grade final. A huge congratulations to Audrey V. and Evie R., who are heading to the next stage of the competition! They’ll be representing Santa Sophia as they present their speeches alongside 8 other students from 4 local schools. We’re so proud of the amazing effort of all our Year 6 students! #VoiceofYouth #VoiceofYouth2025 #PublicSpeaking #santasophiatalent Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
08 Aug 2025
From Facebook
What a day for our Under 14 Girls Futsal team! Our girls represented Santa Sophia with distinction on Wednesday. Lots of goals were scored and no end of great teamwork and sportsmanship. Although the girls went down 4-3 in the Grand final, they will go on to represent Santa Sophia at the state finals later this term Great job girls! 🥅⚽ 🏅 #santasophiasports
08 Aug 2025
From Facebook
A huge congratulations to Aria T. in Kindergarten for her incredible results at the Empower Dance Eisteddfod! 💃✨ Aria danced her heart out and achieved: 🥇 1st – 5 & under Tap 🥈 2nd – 5 & under Hip Hop 🥇 1st – 7 & under Hip Hop Improv 🥈 2nd – 7 & under Jazz Improv 🥉 3rd – 7 & under Lyrical Improv We are so proud of our littlest dancers showing such big talent. Well done, Aria — keep shining! 💖👏 #PerformingArts #SantaSophiaTalent #EmpowerEisteddfod