Vibrant Spirit. Strong Character. Tailored Learning
To the friends and families of the St Edmund’s community,
Our Opening College Mass last Thursday proved to be a most fitting formal acknowledgement of the new school year. It was indeed a very special and memorable event, especially as it also marked the induction of our student leaders. I have had a number of parents compliment us about the Mass with one parent saying it was the best Mass she had attended since her time at Eddies.
Our Junior School and Senior School leaders for 2020 were presented with a stole identifying them as young men who are following the example of servant leadership given by Jesus and lived by Blessed Edmund Rice. The presentation of stoles is a new innovation which will become a very important Eddies ritual and tradition. The stole has historically been worn by Priests and other clergy as a scarf of office and a badge symbolising their calling. In taking up the calling of servant leadership these students are committed to challenging the St Edmund’s College community to thrive and grow; to be of vibrant spirit and strong character. In a very special moment, each leader was presented with a leader’s stole and badge by his parents.
The Mass was attended by some special guests and we thank them for taking the time to share our Opening Mass with us – the College Board Chair Mrs Nichole Overall; College Board member Mr John Owens; College Foundation Board member Mr Paul Scholtens and his wife Irene; President of the Old Boys and Friends Association Mr Matt De Jongh; Ms Rita Daniels, Principal of Daramalan College with two of her students; Mrs Monica Bailey, Assistant Principal St Clare’s College and two of her students, Mr Peter Hawes, Assistant Head of School Marist College and two of his students; and of course Mrs Louise Zavone from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. I also thank the large number of parents who attended, demonstrating the vibrant community spirit alive at St Edmund’s College.
We are very fortunate to have an inspirational chaplain in Fr Dan Benedetti who relates so well to our boys and is able to make our readings and scriptural themes so relevant.
If you have not yet seen the Facebook post about Ash Wednesday and the Opening Mass I would encourage you to do so. Our Digital Marketing Officer, Samuel Sergi has put together a great short film that captures the spirit of the two events so well. (https://www.facebook.com/seccanberra/videos/191821715416622/?epa=SEARCH_BOX)
I would like to sincerely thank the following people for the hard work and talent in putting organising the Mass: to our team of Mr Michael Monagle (Asst. Principal Mission and Identity) for his leadership in tying the Mass together so beautifully; Ms Bridget Cusack (Junior School Religious Education Co-ordinator) for her tireless efforts and careful eye especially with our symbols; Mrs Margaret Thomas (Music teacher) or her talent and leadership of our choir and musicians; Mrs Carmela Wilson, (Head of Religious Education Years 7-12) for her invaluable assistance support; Mr Jacob Knowles (Asst. Principal College Operations) for the practical organisation of the day and Ms Rachel Lemon (Executive Assistant) for organising the stoles and liaising with our parents. Of course there were a number of people involved in further aspects of the Opening Mass and I thank them all for contributing to a memorable occasion.
Thanks also to our boys who were very well behaved during Mass and engaged with the event with the appropriate demeanour and spirit.
Reflection on the First Week of Lent
Last Sunday’s Gospel Reading (from Matthew 4:1-11) presents us with the familiar story of Jesus being tempted in the desert after a retreat of forty days in which He neither ate nor drank. The temptation of Jesus occurred because He was human as well as divine. Although the suggestions and offerings made by Satan were inviting, to accept them would have been against all that Jesus stood for. Most of all, it would have been against the will of the Father who sent Jesus into this world for a specific purpose – the salvation of mankind who had been imprisoned since Adam.
Underlying the passage is a clear definition of sin – sin is not just the breaking of rules and regulations; it goes much deeper than that. When we sin, we are acting just like Adam and Eve who wanted to be like God. Remember that Adam and Eve could eat from any tree in the Garden, except from the “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. In eating from the forbidden tree, not only did they act against the wishes of God, but they were also demonstrating that they wanted the knowledge that God had – they wanted to place themselves on the same level as God. They were, in essence, saying, “I am as good as God and don’t have to obey Him.” We too say this, whether consciously or subconsciously, in our actions of sin when we turn away from God.
The Season of Lent is a time to rethink our values, our lifestyle and our relationship with our God. It is also a time to consider a “conversion of heart.” This is how the Holy Spirit can lead us; just as He led Jesus safely out of the desert. (adapted from https://stclareroseville.org/commentary)
Prayer for the First Week of Lent
Creator of our lives,
renew us: bring us to new life in you.
Touch us and make us feel whole again.
Help us to see your love
in the passion, death and resurrection of your Son.
Help us to observe Lent
in a way that allows us to celebrate that love.
Prepare us for these weeks of Lent
as we feel both deep sorrow for our sins
and your undying love for us.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
Joe Zavone
College Principal