Faith, Justice and Formation
Testing Times
Life is certainly not as we planned at present, but as a faith community it is important we remember God’s presence and keep comfort in the knowledge we belong to something beyond our human understanding. I, like everyone, do not have the answers to any of this but I remind us that there is something very powerful in the spiritual and something comforting in a faith that goes beyond the tangible. Do not forget to give a few moments each day to God and/or our soul.
So, to remind us of all the good, I share the post below from the Jamberoo Abbey (who make all our candles) last week….
ON WAKING (this Monday morning in lockdown trying to focus on the positive!)
I give thanks for arriving
Safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes
o see the world,
The gift of mind
To feel at home
In my life.
The waves of possibility
Breaking on the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the past
That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings
This new day will bring.
~ John O'Donohue from BENEDICTUS
Identity at St Patrick's College – A Series
So, what is Identity all about at St Patrick's College? This really is a very big question, but essentially it is about ensuring the Catholic identity/direction/essence of the College through the lens of the Edmund Rice Charism or flavour, which is all about putting others at the centre of our lives. It can, at times, be difficult to put into words, but it is all that exists inside and outside the classroom to make St Patrick’s College what it is. It encompasses all areas of College life as students are educated in the secular curriculum within the atmosphere of the Spirit, as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop talked about in her day. As a faith community, this is the air we breathe while going about everything else. It is inextricably linked to who we are. It is the reason we choose to be at a Catholic school.
In recent years we have tried to summarise Identity at the College in a booklet which can be accessed on the website St Pat's Identity Publication.
Below is an excerpt of this booklet. It tries to show the connection of all aspects with underlying themes and initiatives in our context. It is not all encompassing as there is always more that can be done and more that can be explained. It is a simple overview.
It was my intention to go through all areas of Identity this term, and now with some more time on our hands for reading (sadly not for everyone, sorry), hopefully it is a chance for everyone to grow in understanding in this area. Our Identity does not stop when we go into lockdown. It only intensifies really, with greater need for ourselves and for others; a greater desire for community connection and belonging. Over the next few weeks in the Especean I will look at the core areas of Formation, Justice & Service Work and Liturgical Life. I will share the structure of each at the College and how all of us are involved, from students to families and Old Boys, as simply as possible.
I wish all of you a positive lockdown and pray that as soon as we can, we get out and help those in greatest need again. Reach out to anyone if you need it, including me. As well as this series of articles, you will see some articles by students in coming weeks looking at the Alice Springs Immersion and sustainability projects. Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, It’s Timefrom the Social Justice Action Group is a good read.
Take care,
Gillian Daley
Director of Identity
Blanket Squares - Thank You Everyone
Thank you to everyone who has been knitting blanket squares as part of the Winter Appeal. Social Justice Action Group (SJAG) has been assembling the squares into blankets. If you are looking for something to do while in lockdown and would like to contribute knitted squares, there are instructions via the link below. If you have any questions, please contact me at hannah.smith@spc.nsw.edu.au
Hannah Smith
Social Justice Action Group (SJAG) - Environment
