To the friends and families of the St Edmund’s community,
Vibrant Spirit. Strong Character. Tailored Learning
Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. It marks the last Sunday of our liturgical year, placed right before the first Sunday of Advent. This feast was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to fight the increase of secularism. We define secularism as a way of life which leaves God out of our thinking and living, organising our lives as if God did not exist. The problems that Pope Pius saw in 1925 with an increase in secularism are most certainly with us again today, with our society becoming more and more secular and with Christianity becoming more and more marginalised.
For a number of varied and significant reasons we have more people turning away from their faith. Perhaps one reason for this is that it is much easier for an individual to live in a secular world than it is to live in a world of faith. For Christians, living in the kingdom of God comes with a number of challenges. We are regularly challenged to examine and discern our behaviour, our attitudes and our encounters with others. We are challenged to examine and discern our own individual practices, reflecting on the way in which we rise to the challenge to “live life to the full” (John 10:10) with the many opportunities afforded to us throughout our lives. We are challenged in the way we think about the many mysteries and unanswered questions that exist in Christianity – to give ourselves over to these mysteries and accept them for the wonderful mysteries that they are which is often very difficult to do in a world that wants to rationalise everything and always find solutions. We are challenged in the call to prayer and how we personally communicate with our God. And we are certainly challenged in the expectations and demands of our faith – in making the time to regularly join our faith community in Church and express out faith through formal worship and ritual.
So living in a secular world is certainly easier.
This Friday sees our Year 12 students graduate from the College. We begin the day by celebrating Mass together – a very Christian practice of communal worship and shared faith. I would hope that after 9 years or 6 years at St Edmund’s College, that our Year 12 students leave us with a sense of the hope, growth, belonging and service that comes with a faith-filled life. Some of our students will carefully discern the faith experiences and opportunities that have been afforded them at school and continue with their faith journey, some will not. But even for those who do not decide to live their lives in a specific faith context, I am sure that the College mission to develop young men of vibrant spirit and strong character will see them through a secular world with dignity, integrity and a sense of service to others.
In his reflection on the Feast of Christ the King, Fr. Antony Kadavil writes, “we honour Christ as the King of the Universe and the King of our hearts by allowing him to take control of our lives. In thousands of human hearts all over the world, Jesus still reigns as King. The Cross is his throne and the Sermon on the Mount, his rule of law. His citizens need obey only one major law: “Love God with all your being, and love others as I have loved you.” His love is selfless, compassionate, forgiving, and unconditional. He is a King with a saving and liberating mission: freeing us from all types of bondage, enabling us to live peacefully and happily on earth, and promising us an inheritance in the eternal life of heaven”. (Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-11/sunday-reflection-vatican-news1.html)
Canberra Avenue Speed Limit
I have recently made a request with the relevant authorities to have the speed limit on Canberra Avenue changed from 60 km/h to 40 km/h seeing that is it directly outside of the school (this would only apply during school zone times). When we made enquiries about this last year we were informed that because Canberra Avenue is an arterial road with two lanes on either side, the speed limit cannot be reduced. I find this quite frustrating and difficult to understand. In NSW, any road directly outside a school becomes a school zone, regardless whether it is quiet suburban street or a six lane highway. We have parents experience great difficulty when they try to enter Canberra Avenue from our driveway in the morning and afternoon, and we have some students who live locally crossing the road as they have no other choice (the nearest crossings are at Manuka shops or Nyrang Street near the KFC on Canberra Avenue). I will keep you informed of the results of the most recent enquiry.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are a King who cares deeply for his people.
May we search out those in need,
so that Love and Justice will reign
as the Kingdom of God is brought forth within us.
We ask our prayer in your name and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (College Principal)