“Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Dear families and friends of St Edmund’s College,
I encourage all our students and families to attend our College musical, Little Shop of Horrors. The College has a wonderful tradition of staging popular and successful musicals, with this production looking like it will continue that great tradition.
Little Shop of Horrors is about a down and out, skid row floral assistant named Seymour who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. The plant, “Audrey II”, grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B singing carnivore who offers Seymour fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien poised for global domination. Sounds crazy but it works brilliantly. We have a large group of students and staff working on this production. You will be rewarded for your support of their hard work and talent with a great night out.
Performance dates are 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 September in the College Hall. Tickets can be purchased through this link.
2023 Enrolments
Our enrolments for 2023 are progressing very smoothly. If you are aware of any families who may be considering enrolling their son and have not yet done so, please ask them to contact the Enrolments Office. This may include families who have a son whose needs are not being met at their present school and may benefit from our Yarwun Gifted Program; or Year 10 students in other schools who would benefit from our Sports Academy Program, or students with an interest in Hospitality who would benefit from our partnership with the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, or students with an interest and talent in Rugby League who would benefit from our partnership with the Canberra Raiders.
Financial Assistance for Families
Some of our parents may not be aware that the ACT Government offers some financial assistance to school students at government and non-government schools. This is done through the Future of Education Equity Fund Years P–12. Information about this assistance can be found at this link. Of course, parents who require specific assistance with College fees are encouraged to contact the Finance Team at the College to discuss the possibility of fee concessions, or you may wish to contact me to discuss your situation.
Congratulations
We congratulate the following students for their achievements and wish them luck in their endeavours:
*Kado Ramalli (Year 6 Clancy) and Brayden Kent (Year 6 Haydon) have been selected in the Under 11’s and Under 12’s Southern Country Pride side, participating in the Oztag City vs Country tournament in November.
*Steve Nealon (Year 9 Haydon) and Evan Richards (Year 9 Mulrooney) have been selected in the ACT Capital Football Under 15’s and Under 14’s teams, with National Championships taking place in Coffs Harbour, NSW next month.
*Lachlan Cheney (Year 8 Mulrooney), Hunter Harlor (Year 12 Treacy), Liam Guthrie (Year 12 Mulrooney), Ethan Guthrie (Year 10 Mulrooney), and Kyler Peisley (Year 7 Mulrooney) for representing the ACT and St Edmund’s College at the School Sports National Swimming Championships in Brisbane this week.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Last Sunday was a significant day in the tradition of the Catholic Church, with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I would like to share with you a beautiful reflection by the Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli, who considers the meaning of the Assumption for us.
“Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This very special feast of Mary is, in fact, really a feast of Our Lord Jesus: what happened to Mary at the end of her life is the direct result of what Christ did at the end of his earthly mission. The Assumption of Mary is a mirror of the Ascension of Jesus – the glorious reward of a live lived for God.
From the beginning of Christianity, the Church has understood herself to be a community brought into existence by Christ and sustained in the love of Christ. For this reason, the very first task of the Christian community – our first task – is to remain in a relationship of life and love with God. In this regard, Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, is our primary point of reference. It is from Mary that we learn of our bond with Christ. What God saw and loved in Mary, God sees and loves in his Church. So, our identity as the Christian community is bound up in the life of Mary.
Mary’s assumption, her passing body and soul into heaven at the end of her life, reveals the destination of all who, by their lives, have shown they belong to Christ. Our human destiny is not ultimate destruction – our human destiny is eternal life. As Christians, we believe in Mary’s assumption because it is proof to us of this ultimate destiny for all humanity. But this hoped-for destiny is conditional on our being like a mirror to Mary: faithful, humble, hopeful, trusting.
Mary’s assumption is our encouragement. In her lived example we find a way of living that is transformative and sanctifying: it changes our lives and binds us closer to God. In the midst of the ordinary circumstances of our lives our spiritual Mother points the way to her Son, our redeemer. Through her we can learn to live in this passing world focused on our goal in heaven. Our Lady Queen of Heaven, pray for us.”
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
the Mother of your Son,
body and soul into heavenly glory,
grant, we pray,
that, always attentive to the things that are above,
we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
Joe Zavone
Principal
Christus Lux Mea