From the Principal

A time for waiting and praying

Last weekend, my wife and I had dinner with friends. It was great to enjoy the company of others and help support a local restaurant. Invariably the discussion led to our workplaces and what learning we had undertaken in the past few months. We all agreed on the necessity for face-to-face interaction but also exchanged plenty of ideas on how we can incorporate some changes and improvements in the way we conduct our lives.

 

Enhanced family time has been one of the tangible benefits of the past few months. Mind you, my eastern states’ colleagues report that eight weeks away from school has been too long for many students, staff members and families. Fortunately, our remote learning was for a much shorter time.

 

It is good to reflect on this weekend’s celebration of Pentecost Sunday. It recalls the time when the Holy Spirit came down on the Church. In Scripture, Pentecost comes after the beginning of our freedom in Jesus’ death and rising at Easter. After a period of waiting and praying by the disciples, the Spirit set free the story for the whole world at Pentecost. We remember what happened then, but we to wait and pray for the full salvation promised us when Christ will come again.

 

In the Church calendar, Pentecost is followed by ordinary time – a time of waiting and praying.

There are obvious parallels with the current world situation. Some restrictions have been lifted and now is a time of serious waiting; praying for a time of complete freedom from the virus and from the hardships that have weighed so heavily on many Australians.

 

I am missing our beautiful Friday morning Masses. However, liturgies prepared by our students and staff and shared online have been creative and reverent and have picked up the rhythms of the Church year.

 

It has been pleasing in recent weeks to have discussions with staff and students with respect to the resumption of Music, Drama, Magis and sporting activities. Our Year 8 students recently experienced a Retreat; our Music preparations are proceeding well; rehearsals for the College Production will resume after examinations; Interhouse Cross-Country was run successfully; netball and rowing training is underway and Magis has featured Mental Maths and is preparing for future events. This is ordinary time in the school year but we all have a new appreciation of ordinary events.

 

Robert Henderson

Principal