From the Chaplain 

In Senior School chapel this week, we considered the importance of Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day. Our visiting guest, Rev Daryl McCullough, spoke about how using the word ‘sorry’ is an act of empathy. It does not always imply that we are guilty, but rather that we feel for the other person.

In this way we can acknowledge the hurt and the trauma that has been felt by First Nations peoples over the last few hundred years.

God, in Jesus, is a God of reconciliation and Reconciliation Week gives us the opportunity to heal our communities through acknowledging our stories and histories honestly, and recognising the image of God in one another.

We prayed this Prayer of Hope

In the name of reconciliation and hope,We hope for a better today and a better tomorrow together.We acknowledge the pain of the past, as well as the hurt and frustration of many our Aboriginal sisters and brothers in the present.We take time to notice and understand the injustice.But with hope, we look towards more positive things to come as we continue on the journey into reconciliation.Help us to own our part in the story.

May we never be complacent about the need to work for justice.Give us the courage to act in ways that we can to work for change and improvement.

There is so much to be done and there are big obstacles that seem to be in the way.Inspire us to think creatively that we might find ways to right wrongs and lay strong foundations for a hopeful future.

Help us to work together to make our contribution for improvement.We pray this in the name of the reconciling one. 

Amen

Bless you and yours,

Rosalie