Principal's Address
ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS DAY
Our prayer focus this week will include All Saints Day, last Friday and All Souls Day, which was celebrated on Saturday.
All Saints Day is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and unknown, were properly honoured.
In our contemporary world All Saints Day offers a chance to look to our spiritual forbearers, those holy men and women who are models of love and fidelity. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon our baptismal gifts and to bring God’s love to those we meet on a daily basis through our words and deeds.
The day after is known as All Souls Day, a day to remember and offer prayers on behalf of all who have died. A special Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Church each year at this time to pray for all those from the parish who have died in the last twelve months.
We pray:
Jesus, dear Saviour, on All Souls Day we prayerfully remember all our loved ones who have died.
Please give them comfort and hope and may they be at peace,
Knowing that they will rest in God’s arms eternally.
Thank You for our memories of them and for the good times we shared.
We ask You, please, through their intercession,
To deepen our faith, strengthen our hope and increase our love
That we, too, may someday stand before You, ready to enter Your Holy Kingdom. Amen
ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMMENCEMENT OF HSC COURSE
FOR YEAR 12 2020
The Commitment Mass, which was celebrated by Fr John on Tuesday this week marked, in a very special way, the beginning of the HSC Course. As well as an opportunity to place the next twelve months in God’s hands, Fr John reminded the incoming Year 12 class that their commitment must be more than just their studies; it must also be a commitment to building strong and supportive relationships with their peers that are based upon respect and a sense of belonging and inclusion, referenced in Jesus’ commandment to “love one another”.
I also took the opportunity, with Mrs Bright, who had organised the Mass, to remind the students that their last year together at the College offered many opportunities to grow together as a learning community. Throughout the next twelve months at Mater Dei, we encourage the year group to make good choices that offer everyone a positive and caring learning environment and to keep “love of one another” as the Gospel message tells us, at the heart of their intentions.
REMEMBRANCE DAY 11 NOVEMBER
Another significant event will be commemorated next week when our College community gathers with Mater Dei Primary School in the grounds adjacent to Fr Plunkett’s Cross and the Lone Pine to commemorate Remembrance Day.
A special prayer, traditionally said on this day by our community, will remind us about the sacrifices that have been made for us all and the abiding need for peace in our world. ’Lest We Forget’
YEAR 12 GRADUATION
On Friday evening next week (15 November) we will celebrate for the last time with our Year 12 graduates and their families at their Graduation. A full report of this special evening will be included in the next edition of the newsletter.
COLLEGE CHRISTMAS LITURGY AND SEMESTER 2
AWARDS EVENING 11 DECEMBER
Parents/carers are warmly invited to this year’s Liturgy and Awards Evening on Wednesday 11 December, commencing with a family BBQ at 6.00pm. The formalities begin at 7.00pm with a Liturgy and the presentation of Major Awards in the Hall, followed by the presentation of Semester 2 Reports in Homegroups. The evening will conclude by 8.30pm. Parents/Carers are reminded that student attendance is compulsory at the Liturgy and Awards Evening.
CONCLUSION OF 2019 SCHOOL YEAR
Students will be engaged in learning up to and including their last day for 2019, which is Friday, 13 December.
STUDENTS DEPARTURES AT THE END OF 2019
Please advise the College in writing if you daughter/so is not returning to Mater Dei in 2020. Parents/carers of any departing students must complete the College Clearance process to formally conclude the enrolment, advise their child’s future school if they are under the leaving age of 17, return College resources and finalise any outstanding fees.
TERM 1 2020 COMMENCEMENT DATES
To assist parents with planning for the beginning of the next school year, we would like to advise the following arrangements:
Term 1:
· Tuesday 28 January – Staff Professional Learning Day
· Wednesday 29 January – Year 7, Year 11 and Year 12 commence Term 1
· Thursday 30 January – Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 commence Term 1
Full details can be found on the College calendar on the website.
Mrs Val Thomas | Principal