Veritas – From the APRIM
Congratulations to Phi Ai Trinh and Zen Zaccara who were recently elected YCS Captains (pictured with Mr Ruggiero).
Veritas – From the APRIM
Farewell to Our Year 12s
Each year we award a student with the Blessed Jordan of Saxony Award for School Spirit. This year we congratulate Dan Manalo on receiving the 2017 Jordan of Saxony Award in recognition of living a life of service to others, dedicated to study, community minded and deeply prayerful. Dan has led his peers over his time at Blackfriars Priory School as a Prefect, Vice House Captain and Middle School leader. He has been a member of YCS, CSYMA, ACYF and Youth for Christ. Dan was an Archbishop’s Award recipient and serves his community through: Social Justice Initiatives, school based events, community projects, parish based leadership and Altar serving.
Blessed Jordan of Saxony OP, who lived in thirteenth century Europe was a man of, intelligence, faith, joy and passion. It was well documented that people were better for having known Jordan, as he had a zeal that set their world ablaze with a diligent passion to love others and love God. He succeeded St Dominic as Master of the Dominican Order and was responsible for a grand expansion of the Dominicans throughout Europe. Bl Jordan had a contagious thirst for life, an inspiring tongue and love for God that pierced ones being and stirred them to work for justice, love, peace and the reign of God.
As our young men leave Blackfriars we pray that they may follow in the footsteps of Bl Jordan of Saxony and be motivated by their God-given potential to make a positive difference in the world. May they always seek solace in a God who loves them unconditionally and be driven by a selfless love for their neighbour. These are the young men we need in our society, irrespective of what result they achieve in Year 12 or the job they perform in society. First and foremost, they will always be Black’s Boys and with that comes great responsibility to be men grounded in God-given truth, dedicated to prayer, ministers to the marginalised, galvanizers of community and broad in their study.
YCS and Vinnies
During Advent Term, our focus will be on the St Vinnies Christmas Appeal and Catholic Charities. Newly elected YCS Captains, Zen Zaccara and Phi Ai Trinh, will drive the fundraising and advocacy for Vinnies Christmas Appeal. The YCS captaincy is a senior leadership role in the school and we congratulate Zen and Phi Ai on their appointment. Both Zen and Phi Ai have displayed an outstanding commitment to Blackfriars Priory School and the wider community through their involvement in YCS and other school and community based groups. This year’s appeal will focus on financial and food donations for families at Christmas. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
All Saints and All Souls
All Saints and All Souls is celebrated on 1 and 2 of November respectively. We have asked students to write down the names of deceased loved ones on A4 cards which will be collated into a book and presented at Mass on Thursday. Praying for the dead is an integral part of our Catholic faith and Dominican tradition. The two days are an opportunity for us to reflect on life through the lens of our own mortality and the example of the Saints who have gone before us. What needs to be in better balance for us to be Saint like in our day? How does the reality of death and the fragility of life change the way I live? As a Dominican community we need to examine how we are living out the Four Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Service.
If you would like to find out more about All Saints and All Souls, here are some excellent YouTube videos.
All Saints and All Hallows Eve (8 minutes)
You Don't Know Jack...about the saints
How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints?
Fr. Jim Martin's Introduction To "Who Cares About The Saints?"
Bishop Barron on All Saints Day (9 minutes)
All Saints Day Pep Talk with Fr Mike Schmitz
Community Mass and Carols – Monday 27 November 2017
This year our Community Mass and Carols will commence on the front lawn at 6:30pm followed by carols. A letter detailing the evening was distributed last week.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Blessings and Peace.
Mr David Ruggiero
Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission