From the Chaplain

On Friday we said farewell.. for now.. to Fr Matthew Boland OP

From the Chaplain

This week’s newsletter will be the last one I write for the foreseeable future as I have been asked to go overseas to do postgraduate studies. I will be travelling to Fribourg, Switzerland on Tuesday 7 August, to begin studying at the University of Fribourg later in August. The area of my study will be looking at the way the Dominican, St Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274 AD), used the philosophy of Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) in his theology. Although it sounds obscure (and is), I’m actually quite excited about it!

 

Although I have not been at Blackfriars for very long (I started in Term 2 last year), I have very much appreciated the opportunity to work and minister at the School. It has opened my eyes to the vital work of forming young people that takes place at Blackfriars, and in all schools. There are many challenges in our society at this time, and we need young people with good values entering society and making a positive contribution. The unique charism of Blackfriars gives it a great foundation to carry this out and being part of this noble task has been a humbling and inspiring experience. It is clear to me now that working in education is not just a job, it is a vocation. I am grateful to the students, staff, families and friends of Blackfriars who have welcomed me and worked with me over the last five Terms.

 

It is perhaps fitting that my last day at the School on Friday 3 August is the Feast Day of St Dominic. Dominic himself lived in very tumultuous times. His response to this was to trust in God, preach the truth, and always do this with friendliness, love and mercy. May we all be inspired by his example to have the courage to seek the truth in our prayer and in our studies, and to bring this Good News to the world in our preaching, our example, and our acts of love and mercy. St Dominic – pray for us.

 

Fr Matthew Boland

CHAPLAIN