Principal's Message

Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season

Given the extremely hot weather and oppressive conditions throughout this week, our scheduled Ash Wednesday celebration took the form of a special, but somewhat shortened, liturgy and distribution of Ashes. Our celebration signalled the commencement of our Lenten Season and also afforded us an opportunity to formally launch our Project Compassion Appeal and to challenge the boys to consider the importance and true purpose of Christian Service – to genuinely consider ‘the other’ in striving to be Men for Others.

Lent is characterised as a time for prayer, penance and almsgiving. As we move into this most sacred liturgical time, I would respectfully ask parents to find an opportunity to speak to your sons about sacrifice; about going without in order to be in solidarity with the marginalised; about the importance of prayer and reflection; about Project Compassion and what it represents; and about the many lessons that can emerge through serving others. As I have alluded to previously, when the Family/College partnership is such that the messages from home are complemented by the messages from school, we have the greatest chance of establishing those life values considered important in the formation of caring young men. A wonderful aspiration that I am sure we share.

During this time of Lent, when our boys have been challenged to consider their own personal commitment to Christian Service and their personal contributions to our Project Compassion appeal, it is very timely to reflect on the thoughts and words of the leader of our Church, Pope Francis. He has continually made strong references to the importance of service to others and the need for all of us, as Christians, to show leadership in this regard. 

His Holiness has been determined in his efforts to instil a new sense of humility and simplicity into our Church. He regularly speaks about the importance of having a real and meaningful social outreach and being of ’service to the community’. Pope Francis has continually referred to a metaphor in which he emphasises the model of the shepherd suggesting that good Christian leaders must be so in touch with the people around them and the plight of our neighbours that “…they are shepherds with the smell of the sheep”. This is a clear call to exercise leadership and service by way of proximity and example – of acknowledging a deeper understanding of those in need. It is consistent with the expectations we have at our College in terms of Christian Service and a very timely reminder in this Lenten season. 

In the recently released 2024 Lenten Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis reminds us that Lent is a time for reflection and action, “Lent is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister. Love of God and love of neighbour are one love". The full Lenten Message from Pope Francis can be viewed HERE.

It is in giving that we truly receive; and it is in reaching out that others may have the chance to reach up. Our Project Compassion Appeal provides an opportunity for students, and indeed families, to reach out; and our commitment to Christian Service helps our boys understand why! We trust that our boys will respond generously.

Live Jesus in our hearts

Mr Darren O’Neill

Principal