Principal's Address

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have all enjoyed the return of our students and the once empty classrooms are again  filled with vibrant and engaged learners. Thank you to the many parents who sent a message acknowledging the staff clip created by Mr Saxon and Mrs Narouz for the return of students. It really seemed like “the longest time” since our community was last together. We had great fun composing it and the staff have loved hearing that the clip put a smile on so many faces.

Although we have been blessed by the absence of COVID-19 in our region for some weeks, please continue to encourage your children to be vigilant about their hygiene. I recently had the opportunity to speak with key staff from Murrumbidgee Health about COVID-19 risk minimisation and management. We are fortunate to have access to this level of expertise and the wise words shared in that discussion continue to ring in my ears:

“The greatest risk to keeping our community safe from COVID-19 is complacency”.

Please encourage your children with handwashing (we have installed additional hand sanitiser stations for student use), cough etiquette and physical distancing where possible. Thank you to parents/carers who have kept students exhibiting signs of respiratory illness at home until they are recovered. This is such an important way of managing the risks to the Mater Dei community, especially families with vulnerable members.

Pentecost

The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Last Sunday, 31 May was a celebration of the birth of our Church fifty days after Easter Sunday. This year, that journey has been unlike any other Easter journey for us all.

Pope Francis tells us that, ‘The world needs men and women who are not closed in on themselves, but filled with the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been bestowed upon the Church and upon each one of us, so that we may live lives of genuine faith and active charity, that we may sow the seeds of reconciliation and peace.’

The weeks after Pentecost focus attention on the work of the Holy Spirit in the day to day life of a Christian. It is to Jesus that we look to see what life and growth we should pursue, for it was Jesus who showed us how to live the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. 

We admire the wisdom expressed in His parables, His understanding of the poor and the sick, His right judgement when tested by the Pharisees, His courage to continue the journey to Jerusalem when He knew what would await Him, His knowledge of God’s will, His reverence for His Father and His awe before the wonders of creation. 

The Spirit of the first Pentecost began a life’s journey in the Apostles and disciples, as they shared the life of Jesus with other people. So, too, is the Spirit of Pentecost with us all as we, hopefully, live and share the life of Jesus with the people in our lives. In these uncertain times of COVID-19 we pray:

For the Spirit of Peace that calms our mind and stills our life,

we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Love that touches hearts and reaches out,we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Joy that lifts our soul and gives us faith we give you thanks.

For the Spirit of Power, that gift of grace for this Your church, we give you thanks.

Amen.

At this time we remember in our prayers our beloved Fr Wilf Plunkett, who remains comfortable and peaceful in the Forrest Centre. We ask that you pray for him as he prepares to enter eternal life with our Heavenly Father.  

Please also remember Illaria Donebus, whose anniversary occurs on 11 June, and her family. May God be with them and all who are grieving for loved ones.   

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal