Principal's Report

Mrs Clare Healy

Dear O’Connor Community,

This week, in our parish bulletin I read this extract from Pope Francis. It gives us an insight into how to live a good life so that we may follow in Jesus’ footsteps. The ‘right path' is a lovely way of thinking about how we interact with our community. The expectation that everyone in our community has both a right and a responsibility to ensure we are safe, valued, cared for and respected is our ‘right path’. There is a lovely part that also allows us to know that while we may stray from the path, we can rejoin the path. Reconciliation is fundamental to our faith and a gift we give each other.

Gospel reflection - POPE FRANCIS’ homily - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2019

Today’s Gospel passage presents Jesus teaching in towns and villages, on his way to Jerusalem where he knows he will die on the Cross for the salvation of us all. In this context, a man asks a question, who addresses him saying: “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (v. 23). The question had been a source of debate at that time — how many will be saved, how many not … — and there were several ways to interpret Scriptures on the issue, depending on the texts chosen.

Jesus, however, reverses the question which stresses quantity, that is: “are they few?…” and instead places the question in the context of responsibility, inviting us to make good use of the present. Indeed, he says: “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (v. 24). With these words, Jesus makes it clear that it is not a matter of numbers, there is no “limited number” in Paradise! Rather, it is a case of taking the right path from now, and this right path is for everyone, but it is narrow. This is the problem.

Jesus does not want to give us false hopes by saying: “Yes, do not worry, it is easy, there is a beautiful highway with a large gate at the end ….”. He does not say this. He tells us things as they truly are: the doorway is narrow. In what sense? In the sense that, in order to save oneself, one has to love God and neighbour, and this is uncomfortable! It is a “narrow doorway” because it is demanding. Love is always demanding. It requires commitment, indeed, “effort”, that is, a determined and persevering willingness to live according to the Gospel.

The Lord will recognize us only for our humble life and a good life, a life of faith that resulted in good works. And for us Christians, this means that we are called to establish a true communion with Jesus, praying, going to Church, drawing near to the Sacraments and nourishing ourselves of his Word. This keeps us in the faith, nourishes our hope, rekindles our charity. And thus, with God’s grace, we can and must live our lives for the good of our brothers and sisters, fighting against every kind of evil and injustice.

It’s all about Learning!

Events at O'Connor this week:

Debating news - this week's results:

Congratulations to our Debating teams for the wonderful results this week.

Junior Debating - Win - Calrossy Anglican School

Senior Debating - Win - Bundaberg Christian College

Senior Debating - Loss - Canberra Girls Grammar