Ministry Coordinator News

Blessings to you all:  This week we Celebrated our whole school commencement liturgy and celebration of student achievements from our 2024 HSC results and RoSA. 

Throughout the Liturgy we introduced formally the Jubilee Year observing the theme for 2025 'One Call - One Mission – Pilgrims of Hope'.

Mr Ryan Gato from the Leadership team at the CSO (RE & SPIRITUALITY) was our special guest and acknowledged the outstanding achievements of our past and present students, not only in their academic achievements but as faithful and spiritual students of Catholic education, in particularly St Joseph’s Catholic College Aberdeen, while also acknowledging our dedicated and hard-working staff.

The following is an excerpt from the CSO document launching the 2025 theme 'One Call. One Mission - Pilgrims of Hope', written by our guest Ryan Gato. Ryan also paraphrased these words for us during his address  to the students.

"There is a particular scene in The Lord of the Rings trilogy where the two main characters, Frodo and Sam, are at the end of their perilous journey. They are exhausted, tired, skeptical really, that their mission to save Middle Earth is too far reaching and overly costly to themselves and those they are trying to save. Their conversation goes like this:

Frodo:  I can’t do this Sam.

Sam:  I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here, but we are… But I think, Mr Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo:    What are we holding on to, Sam?

Sam:       That there’s some good in this world, Mr Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

This moment between Frodo and Sam is profoundly moving, reflecting the depth of their sacrifice and commitment. In many ways, it’s not hard to see how their dialogue resonates deeply with our own 'Christian Call' and 'Mission'. Like Frodo, we often encounter moments of doubt and despair, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead. Yet, Sam’s response captures the heart of our faith journey: despite the trials and tribulations, we persevere because we hold on to something greater. This “something” is the promise of hope, the conviction that there is inherent goodness in the world, and it is worth striving for. Our Catholic faith reassures us that even in the darkest of times, there is light and redemption. This hope, anchored in the resurrection of Christ, empowers us to continue our journey with courage and confidence, knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater good and a brighter future.”

I will finish with the scripture reading from our Liturgy:

SCRIPTURE

A reading from the Prophet Jeremiah (29:11-13)

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.

The Word of the Lord.

Vince Cooper

Ministry Coordinator