Especean

Faith, Justice and Formation 

Mothers’ Day Mass

Our College Mass for Mothers’ Day will take place on Friday 6 May at Rosehill Gardens. All tickets are now booked. You will not be able to come to the Mass unless you have booked tickets. 

 

Every ticket holder including boys, mothers and grandmothers will be given a wristband that must be worn for entry to the Mass on Level 2 of the Grand Pavilion. Those going to the Morning Tea following Mass will also receive a different wristband to wear in addition to their one for Mass. We have only catered for those who RSVPed for morning tea by the due date.

 

These wristbands will be distributed to the eldest or only son in each family on Tuesday 3 May (A – K surnames) and Wednesday 4 May (L – Z surnames). You will not be able to change anything – all wristbands will be distributed based on the tickets booked through Humanitix last term. Boys will be informed in the Daily Announcements of where they need to go and when to collect the wristbands. 

 

If you are concerned your son may not collect the wristbands or lose them(!) I will be in the Mary MacKillop foyer (next to the pool carpark) from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Tuesday 3 May for you to collect. (Please DO NOT park in the carpark, on the street in front of the carpark or in Hyderbrae Street).

 

Please note the following points related to the day:

  • All students NOT going to the Mass will come to school as normal where merged classes will take place with staff. Boys will need their work plus a novel to read.
  • Once Mass is complete ALL students in attendance will be bussed back to school under the supervision of College Staff. NO student is to leave with their mother.
  • Students will be back at school by Recess and the rest of the day will continue as normal.
  • NO student is to attend the Morning Tea following Mass – it is for mothers and grandmothers who have the appropriate wristband ONLY.
  • All attendees for the Mass will be emailed separately with some specific directions and instructions for the day.

Wishing all mothers and their sons a wonderful celebration, and for those who could not make it we will not forget you and wish you a wonderful celebration on the Sunday.

Friday Morning Masses – Term 2

This is a reminder that ALL are welcome to Friday Morning Masses commencing at 8:10 AM in the Chapel each week. This term Masses will be led by the Houses (mostly). You are welcome at ALL Masses, but a particular effort to come to your House Mass would be great.

 

Masses will be led by the following:

  • Friday 29 April – BERG
  • Friday 6 May – NO Mass in the Chapel (Mothers’ Day)
  • Friday 13 May – RICE
  • Friday 20 May – HANRAHAN
  • Friday 27 May – CRICHTON
  • Friday 3 June – HICKEY
  • Friday 10 June – NO Mass (Founder’s Day Mass for Students)
  • Friday 17 June – COGHLAN
  • Friday 24 June – YEAR 12

Religion and Politics

It is very commonly said that the two things you shouldn’t talk about in polite company are religion and politics! Times have changed, though there is still some benefit from this advice. The history of Australian politics had religion very closely aligned, often voting based on Church affiliation. While this might not always be the case today it is still important for us to think about what we are voting for. As Catholics we would surely care for ‘the other’, showing compassion and love in our decision making. Pope Francis has called for the need for a “better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good”, where respect and consideration for the dignity of all human beings is present.

 

Core issues that our faith calls us to consider include care for the environment, respect and reconciliation with First Nations peoples and protection of the vulnerable; all things we reflect on and work for at the College. Helping others ultimately helps us - allowing for a more peaceful society and a better quality of life for all. None of these issues should be politicised, as they are simply about justice, but sadly they often get used as political footballs. We need to remind ourselves of love and how we show it. To aid us the Australian Catholic Bishops have released their statement around the upcoming Federal election called Towards a Better Kind of Politics. You can find this statement, among other resources, at Home - Catholic Church in Australia .

 

In a later Especean I hope to bring you a document outlining the stand of the major parties on these important issues and more. Whether you are 18, 45 or 80 please don’t waste your vote, make sure you have a say in what is important to you, and what makes sure that together we work for the common good.

 

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity