Principal's Update

One of our core values, and our theme for 2020, is Justice – Making the needs of the vulnerable paramount.  At our commencement Mass this year, we made the commitment as a school community to be the hands, eyes and feet of Jesus, to be his voice and his heart.  We are called to welcome without prejudice, walk in solidarity with others and promote a just society. 

These are some of the core aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, the foundation of which is the dignity of the human person; we are all created in the image and likeness of God. What the principles of Catholic Social Teaching aim to bring about is a good and fair society, for the benefit of everyone, which is referred to as the 'common good'. The common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of all people in our society and the wider world. 

Working together to bring about a more just society and improve the lives of others, particularly the vulnerable, is also a core to who we are as a College in the Brigidine Tradition.  Our strong commitment to social justice is evident this week through our participation in both Refugee Week and the Vinnies CEO Winter Sleepout and the food drive for the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP).

Refugee Week seeks to create better understanding between different communities and encourages community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, both within Australia and around the world.  To mark World Refugee Day on Saturday 20 June, staff and students will tomorrow stand in a circle of solidarity with people who have come to us in Australia asking to be protected.  We will pledge our solidarity with those who have come to us, having fled their countries in search of safety, and have not been welcomed by our Government.   We will stand in silence and remember the 70 million refugees who have had to flee their countries in search of safety for their families.

The Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, established by the Sisters of St Brigid, provides housing and support for refugees and Asylum seekers. As a school community we are currently collecting much needed food and blankets for BASP. Well done to our Living Justice Leaders on leading this appeal and to all students who have already made a donation!

As mentioned in our last newsletter, Mrs Andrea Halliday, Mr Chris Shelly, Mrs Jane Ward and I are participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout this week. The support for Vinnies that we have received has been overwhelming and we are delighted to have currently raised over $8,000 for Vinnies to continue the essential services that they provide for the homeless. Thank you to everyone for your generous support and encouragement.  Should you wish to make a donation to Vinnies please follow this link: 

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/sponsor?kw=kilbreda

The involvement and support of students, staff and families in each of these shows that as a community we are responding to the call of Jesus to welcome without prejudice, walk in solidarity with others and promote a just society. 

Reconciling God, we pray for the day when all Australians stand together recognising that we are called as one people to compassion and justice.

Heal the blindness that looks but does not see, 

the deafness which refuses to listen and so does not hear, the dullness which hears but does not comprehend, and the lack of integrity that knows but does not act.

God, in your love and solidarity you call us to stand with those who are most vulnerable, especially asylum seekers who risk all to find protection and a secure future for their families.

Hear our prayer and the unuttered cries of our hearts offered in the name of your son, Jesus, who was himself a refugee. 

Amen.

We Pray For

We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:

Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgibbon OAM

Past Pupil (1943) and 

Past Pupil of Distinction (2019)

John Bassett

Husband of Maureen - dec (Past Staff 88 - 05), 

Father of Michelle (Class of 1994) and Caroline (Class of 1996) Bassett and sponsor of the annual Michelle Bassett Memorial Award.

We pray that our loving God hold them gently in the palm of His hand.

Nicole Mangelsdorf

Principal