From the Principal

EASTER BLESSINGS

The pinnacle of our Faith is Easter, commemorating the Resurrected Christ who conquers death and evil and opens the gates of Heaven to all believers. The tomb’s stone is rolled away, the former inhabitant’s death cloths are strewn over the empty slab, and angels stand guard at the entrance proclaiming, “Alleluia, the Lord has risen.”

All Christians long for this glorious feast after forty days of walking the Lenten journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We await as we move through the days of the Triduum commencing with the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the despair and cruelty of Good Friday, and arriving at Easter Sunday after keeping vigil all night.  This is the glory that is Easter.

Easter is a true celebration for all people throughout the world who believe in the salvation that Christ’s death and resurrection brought about.  From that Easter morning onwards, the hope of eternal life dawned, the key element of our faith, the 2026 College Theme. This human life for the Christian has its beginning but it need not end, rather exist eternally in Heaven with God and the angels and saints and all those who have gone before us in faith. 

The end of human life and the start of eternal life makes sense for those who honor and worship their God in faith.  Our eventual death has purpose and destination, not in our physical form but as heavenly bodies.  No human being ever understands that new reality, only faith keeps us believing that.

There are gruesome images associated with Easter.  Consider these:  betrayal of Jesus, false judgment and condemnation of Jesus and scourging his body, walking through Via Dolorosa dragging his heavy wooden cross, denials by Peter, the leader of the apostles, rejection by a rowdy crowd, a crown of thorns, and nailed to a cross between two criminals.  This is hardly the way anyone would want to suffer and die.

Alternatively, there are glorious images too.  Consider these:  blessing of living bread and wine turned into Christ’s body and blood that brings salvation, women wailing as they mourn this king, Nicodemus caring for the dead body, blessed and bright angels proclaiming resurrection, songs and chants of Alleluia.

May Easter be a season of great joy to all Monicans and their family, Christian and all others who respect the Christian tradition.  May the commercial manifestations give joy like chocolate easter eggs, hot cross buns, little Easter bunnies, a big Easter Bunny, family gatherings, and elaborate liturgies in Churches and on our streets. 

I extend blessings to all Monicans, and I do sincerely hope that the First Term holidays will be safe and enjoyable whether at home or on holiday.  Monicans are urged to keep up their reading, take the time to read and calculate ahead to advance their literacy and numeracy, and finish off projects or outstanding assessment tasks.  Some jolly time for relaxation is hoped for too.

Thank you to all staff, students, families, clergy and Monican loyalists for a strong start of the school year, and may the term ahead be embraced with confidence, in unity, and always with  ardent faith in God, oneself and goodness. 

Mr Brian Hanley OAM 

Principal