Veritas – From the APRIM

Rhythm, Routine and Renewal

The Christmas season is barely over, but judging by the prompt arrival of Easter Eggs on supermarket shelves you could be mistaken for thinking Christmas ended a long time ago and we are deep in the midst of Lent!

These observations contrast the real seasons of the Church, that are designed for the faithful to fully immerse themselves in the mysteries of God, and to discover ones-self and God’s love through this immersion of the spirit.  The Christmas season actually ended on 8 January, and 40 days of Lent begins at Ash Wednesday, 14 February.  It is a combination of the routine or rhythm that the Church seasons offer, with the extended time and space, that allows for this deep renewal.  The seasons are not passing fads, and although repeated every year, they always offer something different and enriching.

For some students and staff, approaching the end of Christmas holidays may elicit feelings of angst.  For others, it is just another repeating phase in the routine of life, and nothing to be perturbed by.  For most, there is a sense of excitement.  Now, with two weeks complete already (where does time go?), judging from reports and the tone of the school, the year has begun very smoothly.  There is a strong sense of stability, confidence and positivity that has arisen from the certainty of routine.  This is underpinned by our Dominican Catholic faith, that through prayer, enlightens us to God’s eternal presence and reminds us of the covenant made through Christ at the Last Supper.

Another part of the annual rhythm of the Church are the feasts of the Saints.  The beginning of the school year is marked most pertinently by the feast of St Thomas Aquinas (28 January), the great 13th century Dominican saint whose search for truth and application of reason remains an inspiration for all us learners.  This is followed by St John Bosco (31 January), the Italian teacher and priest whose dedication to educating the impoverished resulted in the founding of Salesian education, of which there are multiple schools around the world.  St Brigid of Ireland (451-525) is celebrated on 1 of February, and there are also multiple schools founded on her Brigidine sisters.  St Thomas, St John Bosco and St Brigid have education in Christ as their common ministry.  One of the functions of the saints, is to provide guidance and support for those who look up to them and pray for their intercession.  As educators, and one of the reasons Blackfriars Priory School is so strong, is our reverence in observance of the saints.

2018 was declared the Year of Youth by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.  2018 was chosen as it is ten years since Australia hosted the Sydney World Youth Day (WYDSYD08).  Again, this presents as something rhythmic, as do all anniversaries, and they focus our attention on renewal.  I know in my marriage, our wedding anniversary helps refocus our goals and celebrate our achievements, and thus renews, enriches and sustains our sacred union.  In a similar way, those who attended WYDSYD08 and were certainly touched and inspired by the collective and the unity in faith, can now refocus and renew. Many were high school students, who are now well into adulthood and making a significant mark on the world.  Some will have maintained their faith while others would have drifted.  It is hoped that this anniversary will be cause for reflection and re-inspiration so that the good works of the Holy Spirit come through in their lives today.

For today’s youth, the Australian Bishops recognise the need to refocus the Church on our youth of today. The Year of Youth aims to:

• foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person
• draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community
• empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today

At Blackfriars Priory School a particular focus is the development of the leadership capacity of our student leaders.  This, coupled with the goals and activities associated with the Year of Youth, will help achieve the aims stated above.  This has already begun, with our House Captains organising the prayer focusses of each Home Group.  Twelve students, including our Young Christian Students (YCS) Captains,

other YCS members and Student Leaders, are attending Caritas Just Leadership Day.  Seven Prefects including our Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect are attending the Cathedral for Ash Wednesday Mass, which couples as a launch for Project Compassion.  I am delighted with the leadership already displayed by these young men and look forward to seeing the fruits of their initiatives and imaginations as the year progresses.

With the season of Lent drawing near, it would be remiss of me not to wish you a prayerful Lenten season.  It is the time to repent of sin, to renew our faith and to prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation through Easter.  Despite the chocolate eggs appearing as early as they do, I strongly encourage you to avoid the temptation!  The egg should crack open on Easter – that is when the new life emerges.  Immerse in the wait – it is part of the rhythm, routine and renewal.

Mr Matthew Crisanti

Acting Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM)