“If we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another.” 1 John 1:7
To the family and friends of St Edmund’s College,
In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus puts to us perhaps what is the greatest challenge we are asked to face in our lives – to love one another as he has loved us.
John 15:9-17
“I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
I shall no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. My command to you is to love one another.”
Jesus’ commandment calls us to give ourselves to one another for the sake of building one another up and making concrete the love that God in Christ has for each of us. Jesus’ statement here is quite controversial – he takes the ten commandments given to Moses in the Book of Exodus and the 613 practical commandments of the Jews, and reduces them all down to just one about love – to love one another as he has loved us. The love of Christ is unconditional and sacrificial. This is a huge ask of us and perhaps seems too big to grasp and too big to undertake. But it is not too big – we can love one another with small steps and small gestures, for in time those small steps and small gestures will accumulate and start to make significant differences in our loves and the lives of others. We often talk about “vibrant spirit” and strong character” here at the College. These terms have a relational quality to them – they are about how we get along with others and what we do for others; how we love others. The Statement of Eddies Pride gives us a pathway to love others – we strive to achieve our personal best; we invest in respectful relationships; we contribute to a constructive learning environment; we honour the College name and we reflect the College motto in what we say and do. There is nothing here that is too big to undertake and achieve, and as we walk alongside our young men in living out the Statement of Eddies Pride, we also walk alongside them in their small steps and small gestures in loving one another in a practical and meaningful way.
Vinnies Night Patrol
On Monday evening of this week I had the privilege of accompanying another two members of staff to Civic to work on the Vinnies Night Patrol Van. Night Patrol is one of Vinnies’ most recognised services, and visits the streets of Canberra and surrounds 364 nights of the year, providing engagement, material aid and light refreshments to people in need. Night Patrol volunteers engage with people by offering friendship, support and compassion. The Night Patrol Van is staffed by staff members of St Edmund’s College on a monthly roster and is co-ordinated by Mr Mike Brennan from our Science faculty.
I have never been involved in this sort of work, and last Monday evening certainly opened my eyes and heart to the situation of some of our most vulnerable people in Canberra. We offered them hot drinks, sandwiches, fruit, clothing items, sleeping bags, blankets, and hygiene packs, but more importantly we offered them an opportunity to talk and to know they are valued. I thank Mr Brennan for commencing this initiative at the College and commend our staff for being involved in such important and heartfelt work – in reaching out to our neighbours in need and answering the call of Jesus question to love another as he has loved us.
Student Spotlight
Marianos Nikolis (Year 8, Clancy) recently travelled to Qatar, competing in the Asia Talent Cup, a prestigious superbike championship event. I asked Marianos to provide an account of his trip and highlights of his experience. We congratulate Marianos on his effort and ability.
“My trip to Qatar was an overall great experience and a great eye opener for my growing riding career. Having the opportunity to travel for the Asia Talent Cup in such hard conditions due to Covid meant I was very appreciative for the people who made this possible, as well as my school and teachers for their continuous support. Within my riding in Qatar I quickly learnt that the way the races and tests are run was so different to Australia. I had to adapt to the riding level of the competition as the overall riding style was very high and fast. I had set myself a goal in my debut as a rookie to finish in the top 10 throughout the races. I was continuously gaining experience and getting used to the much larger tracks, the race distance was 73km with only 30mins of racing with temperatures of 47 degrees and wind gusts of up to 63km/h. The bike that I was assigned to keep with me throughout the whole year presented many challenges with these difficult conditions. During my trip I participated in all of the four races, in which I maintained some very consistent results. I was very happy in my last race which I was fighting for the podium, being in third place for a total of five laps. I ended up finishing 7th in the championship after 2 rounds out of 24 riders. I can say that within my trip as a whole I hoped to gain as much racing knowledge as possible and will this take onboard with me for my future races. Achieving race results in the top 10 gave me great confidence that I will be able to stay competitive and challenge for the podium in the upcoming rounds. Next up is Japan against some of the fastest riders in the world!”.
Earlier this week I received an email forwarded to me by Mr Angus Balmaks, our Co-curricular Manager, praising the sportsmanship of some of our students. Well done to the Rugby U14 Boys Gold division team for their thought and consideration of their opposing team.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to the St Edmunds coach and the other members of the St Edmunds College Canberra U14 boys’ Gold division team. Unfortunately, Trinity’s U14 boys’ team is currently struggling for numbers and although we have 16 players on our books, only 11 were available for their round 2 match last Saturday. We are in the process of recruiting more players and hope to have a full squad available to play you in the return fixture.
From all reports your College members were very accommodating which ensured all the boys got onto the paddock and played the game they love in a fun and safe environment. Eddies offered Trinity some extra players and matched numbers on the day. These men and boys deserve all the praise on offer to them for their great sportsmanship and keeping the traditional values of rugby going!”
Prayer
Loving God,
I choose to love You with my whole heart, mind, soul and strength.
I also choose to love all people as You love them.
Give me the grace to live these two commandments of love
and to see them as the path to holiness of life.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea