CELEBRATING THE EASTER SEASON – AND WELCOMING TRINITY SUNDAY

The Easter season is the longest season of the Catholic Church calendar at 50 days. It is the most important season as well. Commencing on Easter Sunday, with the resurrection of Jesus and concluding at Pentecost, which we celebrated last Sunday. Through the seven weeks of this season we also celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. The readings from the Gospels during these weeks focus on the appearances of Jesus to the Disciples and the message he provides for them as a blueprint for their lives to come. This culminates in the challenge to take this up at Pentecost.

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church and is the official end of the Easter season. This is the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples and challenged them to take up the responsibility and challenge of spreading the word of Jesus Christ. They were made alive by the Spirit to do what they could not have done alone. 

We also cannot live a truly fulfilled life simply by our own gifts. We need the Spirit for our growth. To be able to fully receive the Spirit we need to be open to its presence and power in our lives, and its transforming nature.

The Sunday following Pentecost is Trinity Sunday, this coming Sunday. It is a recognition and devotion to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-20).

As we move out of our enforced absence from Church after the covid period, I hope that all families are able to attend a local Parish Mass this weekend to celebrate this important Feast Day.

 FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

My first Foundation Day at St John’s was a spectacular success. A wonderful Mass celebrated by Fr Joseph and Fr Tiziano with Deacon Justin supporting was followed by PALs stalls and activities. The students seemed to have a ball. This was followed by a showcase of the student talent available here amongst us.

It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of almost 1100 people and perform. Even seasoned professionals still get nervous. So well done to all. 

A SOCIAL COMMENT

At a risk of being alienated amongst the parents that I respect so much and need to work closely with to get the best outcomes for the students, I offer these few comments.

In a world where we have never been so close, how can we still be so far apart. My wife came to Australia in a three-day boat trip (the new series ‘Ten Pound Pom’ highlights this). Today a 20-hour flight. As a country Australia was so insulated until the late 19^th century that we had little understanding of other cultures first hand. The White Australia Policy of the 20^th century helped that. We had no idea how the different foods of the world would open our hearts and understanding to other cultures and yet still close our minds to them as people. 

The quality of a person is not determined by the colour of their skin or their religious beliefs. I was the President of a cricket district in western Sydney for 10 years with 2500 players. We covered almost every culture. We had differences but that was about cricket, not anything else. It was never about anything else.

As we come to the end of National Reconciliation Week for this year we proudly embrace our indigenous students at the school.

Can we make a difference? Why can’t we speak up? And I am in no way suggesting demonstrations we see on our screens in other lands. I’m talking about reaching out, saying hello, treating people as people, irrespective of their origin. As Christians this is our teachings, our beliefs and our calling.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

I just remind all that I will be on leave for the last three weeks of this Term. Mr Eirth will be the Acting Principal and I wish all a smooth finish to the Term and a wonderful mid year holiday.