From the Director of Mission

At this point in the Season of Lent, it is good to stop and think about how we’re travelling as people of penance. We are reminded of the questions on which we reflected on Ash Wednesday.

Jesus teaches us to love our God and to love 

our neighbour. How good are we at doing those things?

Do I try to pray every day?

Do I make time to celebrate Mass and receive the Eucharist?

Do I take the time to reflect and think about my inner self, my faith and my relationship with God?

Am I obedient, respectful and compassionate to my parents, teachers, and other authorities?

Am I honest?

Am I grateful for the many blessings in my life?

Have I forgiven all who have wronged me?

Do I treat my companions and fellow students with respect? 

Have I taken responsibility for my own inner life? 

Do I take time out to Breathe, to listen to God, to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me and through me? 

Am I committed to being a person of action and love for others. 

It’s cool to be kind. Have I been patient, kind, gentle, and self-controlled?

When my conscience tells me to do something good, do I do it or do I ignore it?

Am I Christ-like in my actions?        

Do I help others to be their best selves?

The Season of Lent calls for us to be people of prayer, and fasting. These are individual promises and often private. 

We are also called to give alms, and the evidence of this occurring can be seen in the range of initiatives taking place across the College: Easter egg raffles in our Junior School classes and in the Senior School, Year 12 Lenten BBQs, drinks and ice blocks being sold on those hot Thursday afternoons, a cake stall, Cadbury Fundraising chocolates available in the Top Quad, large sums of money being donated on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the Senior School and overflowing money boxes in the Junior School. 

As part of the Rite Journey Program, some Year 9 students have been given $5 each and asked to take responsibility as to how they might invest it and donate the original sum and any profits to the Lenten Appeal. 

And then, of course, there is the much-anticipated mufti day on Monday. As our St Greg’s students are getting ready for school on Monday and enjoying the privilege of not having to wear their uniform, we hope they consider all those young people around the world, in developing nations or living under harsh political regimes, who are denied the privilege of an education. As we enjoy not wearing a school uniform, we donate a gold coin to raise money for those who would love the opportunity to do so.

Most of the funds raised this year will be given to Marist Solidarity to support the work in Timor Leste. Another initiative of outreach was conducted by our Year 4 students who made Rosary beads to send to the students of this Marist School. Congratulations to Josh Berhardt, Zac Braithwaite, Leo Malaesilia and Patrick Molloy, Year 12, who gave their study time to work with the Year 4 students on this project.

With some of the COVID-19 restrictions behind us, we have also resumed the Community Service opportunities for our Senior Students. Congratulations to Will Smith and Ben Colbourne, Year 11, and Pat Bird and Will Stimson, Year 10, who accompanied Miss Kent to Claymore Community Centre on Tuesday to resume homework club with the Primary students of that community. 

Today we celebrated Harmony Day and the National Day of Action against bullying and violence.

The theme for Harmony Day 2021 is Everyone Belongs.

The theme for the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is 

Take a stand together. 

The messages we explored in our assembly today are important:

Harmony is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. 

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. We need to be upstanders, not bystanders. Bullying is not OK. It feels awful. You feel like you can’t stop it. You have the right to feel safe. 

Mrs Cathie Clarke

Director of Mission

Super Connect

On Friday 5 March, students from Years 11 and 12 stayed back with Miss Kent in the La Valla Centre to participate in a Marist Youth Ministry Super Connect. This Zoom took place with 12 other Marist schools across NSW. We began with an acknowledgement to country and prayer, followed by a healthy interschool lip-reading competition where St Gregory’s won their round. After the hype settled, the team leaders at Marist Youth Ministry presented on the theme for this year, ‘Breathe, the Spirit of Life’. This theme is extremely relevant to today’s society as it can be unpredictable and uncertain at times. We discussed the many challenges that a COVID world has created and discovered that we are not alone in those challenges. We participated in a short breathing activity to deepen our understanding, and to fully immerse ourselves within the Marist theme for 2021.

By Bayley Suters (Year 12 - Marist Solidarity Student Leader)

Miss Emma Kent

Marist Solidarity Coordinator / Leader of Learning - Assistant Religious Education 7-12