Farewell to Fr Jean-Sebastien

On Wednesday, 7th October some of the Year 4 students gathered in the hub to say goodbye to Father Jean-Sebastien. He is going to a different church and we will miss him a lot. When he arrived, the Year 6 students and some Year 5s gave him some cards and letters. 4AX and 4AA sang to him the Lord is My Shepherd. After that, some volunteers from Year 4 shared a special memory or a question with him. We also made him a card. 

Finn: A fond memory of you was when you took the time out of your day to listen to our questions and answer them after the Year 4 Level Mass. 

Mehaiah: The first time I went to church and you were the priest, I understood the Gospel reading really well because you explained in a way that I could understand. It helped not only me, but many of my fellow classmates. Thank you for connecting with us.

Sienna: I asked him a question. ‘What was your fondest memory with us?’. He said it was when he came to watch us do the Stations of the Cross. 

We will miss Father Jean-Sebastien a lot as he was a really great part of our school community and a kind priest. 

Finn, Mehaiah and Sienna

4AA

We found out that Father Jean- Sebastien was leaving Good Shepherd and going to a different church. We were sad to hear the news so we did a farewell to honour him and wish him well at his new Parish. When we first found out he was leaving, we wanted to say goodbye to him so that we will always remember him in our hearts and so he will remember us. We all came into The Hub and we practiced our singing and our lines. We first gave him our cards and then we performed the song. Some students spoke about some memories and asked him questions. 

Asha: He was the first person I spoke to for my Reconciliation and I felt safe speaking to him. I hope everyone feels the same way as I felt. 

Mikayla: Father Jean-Sebastien has a lovely singing voice and it is unique and special that he sings in church.

Oliver: I asked him a question "what was your biggest achievement at Good Shepherd?’. Since I was a new student at this school, I was really inspired by what he says during his homilies. 

We are thankful and grateful that you came to our school Father Jean Sebastien, we will never forget you and all the special memories that we had in church with you since you became a priest at Good Shepherd. You were really engaging with your prayers and we wished you could stay longer. 

Ronan, Asha, Mikayla and Oliver 

4AX 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”-  John 10:11

As we farewell Father Jean-Sebastien, we give thanks for his care, guidance and faithful service to our Good Shepherd community. Through his ministry, he has helped nurture our faith. We are grateful for the time he has shared with us and the many ways he has supported our students, staff and families.

We wish him every blessing as he begins the next chapter of his ministry. May God continue to guide him as he leads others in faith, hope and love.

Vanessa Lamanna

Religious Education Leader