John XXIII College Newsletter

From the Principal

Slow down, you move too fast

‘Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feeling groovy’ 
(Simon and Garfunkel)

 

My parents were big fans of the music of Simon and Garfunkel in the 1970s and, by extension, I was brought up on their music. The importance of ‘slowing down’ is consistent with Ignatian Theology alongside reflection, contemplation and prayer. Interestingly, on 12 March 2022 we marked the 400th anniversary of the canonisation of St Ignatius Loyola and St Francis Xavier.

 

‘The hasten slowly’ approach has also applied to our College Building Program. We have had inevitable delays primarily due to three reasons:

  1. Weather conditions – heavy rainfall in the winter of 2021
  2. Underground service issues
  3. COVID-19 supply chain concerns

However, we are maintaining good progress and we look forward to our refurbished Library being ready for Term 2. Our Roncalli Hall upgrade will be completed this week and our A Block refurbishment and new Staff Building will be completed in Semester 2. A domino effect will then lead to further changes in our existing Administration Building and Staffroom.

 

As part of the Building Program, we are keen to engage with our community to receive input on the ‘naming’ of new and existing facilities. In addition to affirming our Catholic heritage, it will be an opportunity to recognise our natural environment and Indigenous heritage of the local area.

 

Our first students commenced at the newly amalgamated John XXII College in 1977 and we moved to our Mount Claremont site in 1986. In 2027, we will celebrate 50 years of John XXIII College as a separate entity and our Building Program is a great way of recognising the past and looking forward to the future. 

 

As the brilliant songwriters proclaimed, we will be ‘looking for fun and feeling groovy’.

 

 

Pope Francis Call to Prayer

Catholics are being encouraged to join their prayers with those of Pope Francis on Friday 25 March, when he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The feast of the Annunciation, when the Church celebrates Mary’s ‘yes’ to the call of God, is a good day for the consecration, a day for the world to say ‘yes’ to the call of peace. 

 

We encourage people to spend part of this day in prayer – attending Mass, praying with family or friends, in silent prayer at a local parish or chapel or in whatever way you can. The Pope’s prayer of consecration: https://bit.ly/352myM6 

 

Robert Henderson

Principal