From the Principal
The word ‘justice’ features prominently in publications describing who we are as a College. Intriguing to me is our motto ‘Seek Justice’. The addition of the verb ‘seek’ reframes the concept of justice from one that is static to one much more powerful and active. The addition of ‘seek’ also amplifies our responsibility. Perhaps to truly ‘seek justice’ we are compelled to advocate for equality, listen to the voices of marginalised communities and actively work towards dismantling the structures that perpetuate discrimination and disadvantage.
Quite the responsibility and one that our Founders certainly did not shirk from, whether it be Mary Ward’s counter-cultural impact on the education of women, or St Ignatius Loyola’s dynamic conception of religious life or Pope John XXIII’s radical build of a more inclusive church. All were courageous and visionary in their search for justice. I had cause to remind our students of this during the most recent secondary assembly: “…working effectively together requires us to call out when something isn’t going well….. to rise to the occasion when we see something that we know isn’t right and call it out. Draw on the courage of our Founders who were all willing to call out injustices. Be courageous, be strong and support each other. It is our responsibility, and it is who we are.”
This week’s National Reconciliation Week serves as a reminder of the injustices endured by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout our relatively short colonial history. With the 2023 theme, Be a Voice for Generations, we are provided the opportunity to come together, recognise the past and actively work towards a more equitable future. As a College, our collective responsibility is to foster empathy, understanding and the commitment to seeking justice. Perhaps by doing so, we can help to build a future where equality, dignity and respect are the hallmarks. Now that really would be drawing on the courage of our Founders.
As St. Augustine once said, 'hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage: anger at the way things are, and courage to make them the way they ought to be.'
Reconciliation Prayer
Lord, we acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of our peoples, and we ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures and pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.
Teach us to respect all cultures and care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land and bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and to Seek Justice by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For interest, this week Pope Francis received a book advocating for a Voice to Parliament from long-time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocate, and keynote speaker during our upcoming staff conference in Term 3, Fr Frank Brennan SJ. Fr Brennan was accompanying respected aboriginal elder and artist Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, 73, from Daly River, who was thrilled to speak with the Pope about the connections of God and nature. Also worth noting is that our Year 11 Pilgrimage participants will be travelling to Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann's community in the NT in Week 10 of this Term. Seeking Justice indeed.
Daniel Mahon
Principal