Faith, Justice and Formation

Who Are We and What Are We Becoming?

It is time to ask ourselves what kind of community we want to belong to at a school level and beyond. For me, I want to be part of a community that cares for each other, that gets involved in life, that is positive, that is selfless, that listens, that strives to be better, that shares the load, that doesn’t take short cuts and that is proud to be who it is. A place where there is love and not hate; help and not hindrance. Since I began at St Patrick’s College 23 years ago, I have believed that was what this place was.

In recent times I have noticed a decline in commitment to the ethos of the College. The world around us is changing us, not always for the better, but we can be counter-cultural to ensure that human dignity is central. We are a place centered on justice and the service of others. We have been founded in this way due to the example of Blessed Edmund Rice, and our mandate for almost a century has been to put others before ourselves. We are a lucky community (in many ways), so we are constantly reminded by Jesus that “to whom much is given much is expected”. We do not need money to be involved in justice. We simply need to show compassion, advocate for causes, give of our time and show in our attitudes that we care for all of God’s creation, from the earth to every human being regardless of race, gender, circumstance, sexual orientation, skin colour, height, weight and so on.

Not only has there been more evident discrimination occurring in class and in the playground, but the lack of action, by some, in our College Justice Program, which involves many facets, is disappointing. All aspects of College life is taught from a perspective of justice and peace, and yet so many comments we hear are disparaging and disrespectful of those on the margins. Words make a big difference. I can’t help but wonder where this comes from. Statistics show that a young person is more than twice as likely to be influenced by their family than any teacher or external program. We need to really think about how we speak about the other, but also about how we contribute to the world. It is very clear when respect and compassion are modelled and encouraged in life for young people.

Recently, a whole cohort justice partnership (which takes place once a year – see Identity-at-SPC-Summary-2021.pdf to know more about this) was held to show support of our Earth, but a large group of students took it upon themselves to decide this was only optional despite being informed by the College it was for all of them to partake in. This inaction simply speaks the words ‘I don’t want to be part of it because it’s too much effort for me and I don’t care about others’. Those who do get involved are often enlivened and inspired to do more.

When looking at Shining Our Light (SOL) Service in Years 5 to 10 or Social Justice Service in Year 11, which are programs to develop the habit of service in the lives of our young people, because we all know the world needs it, as well as helping so many in need, the reactions of many undermine what is intended to be positive and selfless or Christ-like. It is hoped that we step out of our ‘bubble of blessing’ to share ourselves with others. So, to be met with comments like ‘I’d rather do a detention than serve the community’ or ‘I don’t need any more hours/ points, so I won’t turn up to something I’m rostered on for’, again I wonder who is supporting this attitude rather than challenging it. While we want our young people to be ready to help others, we also want them to develop skills that help them in all areas of life now and beyond school – we want them to be reliable, trustworthy, committed, honest, caring, able to carry a conversation, organised, helpful, respectful, positive and the list goes on. These programs help teach these skills. More importantly, these programs help others and show that we care. There are so many wonderful young men at St Patrick’s College who do all of this and more. Please know that this does not go unnoticed, along with the amazing support of their families. Sadly, however, there is an increasing number of students, and I dare say families, who are rejecting and aiming to diminish the culture and charism of the College. We can’t allow this to change our agenda or what we aim to achieve, which is ultimately God’s Kingdom on Earth. We aim for a world of love that is hope-filled. Our EREA Touchstone of Justice and Solidarity states “We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.” How do we live this? As a College we aim to bring this to life in many ways including the programs discussed above, along with immersions, appeals and advocacy activities.

We often have too many options in life so there are competing interests. To simplify life there are many things we can remove or reduce but caring for others is not one of them. We need to stop making excuses and show commitment. We just have to ask ourselves what type of world we want to grow old in – one where the elderly and others are neglected or one where we all work together for the common good.

I say all of this out of deep respect and love for the SPC community – a place that has given me so much and that I feel I have contributed to in some small way. It is a place that has shone its collective light for decades and will hopefully continue to do so into the future. Thank you for all of the good!! But let’s not let what is the easy option or misguided rhetoric about ‘the other’ spoil our role in the big picture.

May God bless each of you in your work for a better world for all.

November Masses – Month of Remembrance

Our faith tradition has always marked remembrance of the deceased throughout the month of November. It is a time to reflect and remind ourselves of the impact a loved one or significant person had in our lives, as well as pray for their eternal happiness, as promised to us by Christ.

Yesterday was All Saints Day and today we commemorate All Souls Day, two significant days within the Liturgical Calendar. All Friday morning Masses this month will be dedicated to all those named in the College’s Memorial Book.

If you would like a family member placed in this book, please send your email to gillian.daley@spc.nsw.edu.au with the subject Memorial Book. In the email, please include the following details:

• Person’s full name
• Relationship to the student/s at the College
• Date of Passing, including year

Once the name has been added to the book you will be emailed confirmation. Please do not place your own names in the book.

God bless all who mourn and thank you for the lives of so many who have touched us.

Cana Farm 

Cana Farm is one of the College’s Justice Partners who the staff support. We have an arrangement to order fresh veggies and goods for delivery once a month. You can order any time, but we have deliveries on the second Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our order, please follow these instructions.

It’s time to order your veggies!

Please place your orders for Veggie Boxes – Regular or Large, and eggs by Monday 7 November for delivery on Wednesday 9 November.

When placing your order, please don’t forget to use the free delivery code PATRICK - every time you place your order.  

It’s time to get those orders in!

• Please order by Monday 7 November 
• Have a look at the veggies you will be receiving on our Veggie list
• Visit the ‘Fresh produce’ category of our shop canafarm.com.au/our-shop/fresh-produce to place your order
• Take a look at all the goodies on offer canafarm.com.au/shop.

As our loyal customer, we thank you and continue to offer you free delivery. Please apply the discount code PATRICK in the Payments section at checkout to secure free delivery.

Deliveries can be picked up from the Print Room next to the Uniform Shop after school on Wednesday 9 November until 4:30 PM or you will need to make alternate arrangements with me.

See below for their Christmas Catalogue of Gifts – bring joy and helping others.

Thank you,

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity