To the community of St Edmund’s College,
Last Sunday saw the conclusion of the Easter season with celebration of the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; a significant event marking the beginning of the Church.
Last week I wrote of Jesus creating a new community at the foot of the cross when he dedicates both his mother Mary and beloved disciple John to each other, forming the nucleus of a household of faith that will continue after his death. The account in last Sunday’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, transforms this original household of faith to a significant community who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. This reconciling presence should be a way of life for Christians. In situations of tension and conflict, physical or otherwise, we need to be agents of peace and harmony among people. It is this same sense of peace and harmony that we endeavour to instil in our students here at St Edmund’s College. My address at today’s College Assembly was focused on the idea that all of us in the community of students and teachers are here to support each other – we “pack a tight scrum” and have each other’s backs. There are enough people outside our community who want to tear our members down, either because they are against Catholics, or against single sex education, or against young males or whatever the case may be. There are forces outside of our College community that want to create pain and harm. Therefore it is imperative that the forces inside the community are supportive – that our students see themselves as brothers united in a common cause, brothers who look out for each other and brothers who work hard to raise each other up rather than tear others down. There is no place for harassment or conflict in the St Edmund’s College community. As a Catholic educational community in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice, we aim for an environment which is positive, peaceful and supportive. We owe it to the young men in our care to always foster a peaceful, caring and encouraging community to prepare them as young adults who can enter their world with compassion and empathy.
It is in this same spirit of peace that it is important we celebrate the first Reconciliation Day next Monday 28 May. This event, unique to Canberra, marks the first time in Australia that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused public holiday has been created. But it must be marked by more than a public holiday – Reconciliation Day allows us the opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done and needs to be done towards the reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Professor James Haire, a significant Australian Christian minister and theologian, reminds us that God has called us to be a prophetic voice for justice, integrity and compassion and that as a nation, we acknowledge the need for reconciliation and healing. “Reconciliation calls for a change of heart, a change of attitudes and a determination to bring about social change. We cannot say that the work of reconciliation is really under way until we see a change in people’s lives and in the terrible statistics that describe the life of Indigenous people in Australia”.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this of the sacrament of Reconciliation: “It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction. It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also “confession” – acknowledgment and praise – of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.” It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1423 – 1424).
There is a strong connection here between our Catholic sense of Reconciliation and the reconciliation we are called towards by Reconciliation Day. We acknowledge the wrongs of the past (regardless of who was responsible), we stand in solidarity with our indigenous sisters and brothers and actively work towards a more just society for all of them, opening the door for them to share the gifts that this country, their country, can fully offer them.
Loving God
ignite within us a fiery passion for your mission in the world today.
Warm us by the Spirit’s dancing tongues of flame,
that we may feel your kindling blaze within,
urging us to do your greater good.
Make us wholly present to experience your peace and mercy,
and awaken possibilities within us to share your love in the world.
In this love and abundance,
we come to celebrate your harvest—
a harvest bearing the first fruits of the Spirit within us.
Show us how to use these gifts,
as we listen for your truth in the gentle breeze of your Spirit.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
Deputy Principal
Mr Darren Leech will not be returning to St Edmund’s College at the conclusion of his leave at the end of this year. We thank Darren for his wonderful contributions to the St Edmund’s community over the past few years in his roles as Head of Religious Education and Deputy Principal, and wish him and his family well with their future path. The recruitment process for the substantive position of Deputy Principal (for 2019) will commence at some stage this term. Mr Jacob Knowles will of course continue his outstanding work as Deputy Principal (Acting) until the end of this year.
Eddies Forum
Many thanks to the parents who attended the Eddies Forum last Monday evening. The topic of the evening was the use of mobile devices. We had valuable input from Ms Margie Maher, our Director of Innovation and Technology, followed by a productive, robust discussion with parents. The points raised in this discussion will guide us to reviewing our current policies and shaping our culture of learning in a digital environment.
Vale Michelle da Roza
The St Edmund’s Community has been advised of the passing away of Mrs Michelle da Roza after a long battle with illness.
The following words about Michelle’s legacy were put together by Anna Blore, Leigh Pirie and Tim Bibbens:
Michelle was a member of the teaching staff at St Edmund’s College from 2008 to 2011. She held roles as Literacy Coordinator and Head of English during that time. She was also the creator and editor of the school’s literary magazine, Undercurrent, chair of the staff Women’s Forum and a tutor for Treacy House.
Michelle was a kind and open-hearted person and this extended through her personal as well as professional life. She was a dedicated, deeply knowledgeable and gifted teacher who always made time for her colleagues as well as her students. She had a unique ability to identify what brings people together and promote an inclusive and supportive community.
As a teacher, Michelle was not only an expert classroom practitioner, but she further strove to give voice to and celebrate her students, especially those who might not otherwise have had that opportunity and recognition. She had a passion for her students and her subject. This she shared with her staff, whom she treated with unfailing respect and warmth.
She will be mourned in this community as well as many others. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Michael. May perpetual light shine upon her.
The Requiem Mass for Michelle will be held on Wednesday 30 May, 10.00 am at the Holy Family Church in Gowrie.
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (Principal)