Identity and Mission

Holy Week and Easter

It seems rather strange that we are celebrating Palm Sunday and reflecting upon the Stations of the Cross in the week before Holy week. It is just the way the holidays fall this year, however, I am sure it will pave the way for next week and students will have the opportunity to reflect upon their experiences of Palm Sunday and the Stations of the Cross.

Australian Scripture scholar, Brendan Bryne SJ, reminds us of the line in a movie, “When you are in love, you look out at the world through another pair of eyes". What if we looked out at the world through the eyes of Jesus? What did he see?

Although the world in which we live is a beautiful place, he’d have seen what we see today - a world that is unfortunately still marred by so many natural disasters, so much anger and violence, illness, and addiction. Jesus chose to enter into this world and to let it enter into him! This is actually what Jesus did when he suffered and died on the cross. He willingly and trustingly opened his arms to the suffering of the whole world. He didn’t protect himself or resist! He said “Yes” to it and allowed it to come into his body – and he held our pain and transformed it into love. Jesus enters our pain and heals it from within!

On Good Friday, we will hear again these words from Isaiah: He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.

Jesus is the bearer of our burdens, our sins, and our pain. The wonder of this is that God is offering us transformation in the person of Jesus. In Jesus, our human brokenness becomes whole.

Today our Early Years students re-enacted the story of Palm Sunday and what a wonderful job they did.  Waving palms and with loud voices they sang ‘Sing it Hosanna!' Through mime and reading the Gospel story students retold the story of Jesus' triumphant journey into Jerusalem.

Tomorrow, in various locations around the College, our Years 3 to 6 students will depict the Stations of the Cross through freeze frames. This is the first time we have embarked on a venture like this and I am sure the students will do a wonderful job of telling Jesus’ story from the Last Supper to Easter Sunday.  Parents are most welcome to attend, with the liturgy commencing at 9.45am.

Caritas Kilometres for Compassion

Yesterday, students from Kinder to Year 6 along with their buddies took part in the Kilometres for Compassion walk around the block.  The Mission Sisters enthusiastically prepared this event and impressively were very keen to promote it.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.  The Mission Sisters and the Primary students certainly have tried to promote justice,  in their efforts to raise money and walk for a cause. 

All money raised will go directly to Caritas.  Could all families please ensure that all donations for this event and Project Compassion boxes be returned tomorrow either to the classroom teacher or the College Office.  I sincerely thank all families for their generous contributions to Project Compassion.

Finally, I take this opportunity in wishing you and your family an Easter filled with joy and hope. May your time together be a celebration of life and love.   We look forward to seeing you all in Term 2.

Miss Ida Saracino

Director of Mission (Primary)