A Word from the Principal

Last week saw the College commemorate and celebrate Reconciliation Week.  It was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the importance of our heritage  - and the First Nation peoples who have cared for this sacred land, sea and sky.  It was also a gentle reminder that there is still much that we need to be working on in our shared story.  Reconciliation is more than the first step, saying sorry.  Now there needs to be continued action to improve and bridge the gap that continues to exist in our country. This is an incredible opportunity for our current generations - to move beyond the past and to make a living improvement on this journey to “amplify” the voices of the First Nations’ people. We do this in finding the courage to push forward on our search for justice and in that search being done with compassion.  It is in sharing the spirit of reconciliation.

On Friday, Gerard McNulty led the staff through a prayer reflection in the Chapel. It was a quiet and contemplative prayer focused on Pentecost.  Pentecost Sunday is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles - it is what gave them the courage and wisdom to fulfill the mission of God.  Why is this relevant to us today? Why do we focus on this celebration?  Gerard provided staff with a reflection that summarises the answers to these questions.  

Here is an excerpt from Mary Coloe’s faith guide:

When you stand in an underground train station, the first sense you have of an approaching train is the wind as the train pushes the air in front of it.  You cannot hear or see anything yet, but the wind announces the train is on its way. 

I liken this to our experience of the Spirit. 

In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for spirit is the same as ‘wind or breath’.  Like the wind, we do not see or hear the Spirit, but we experience its effects:

• the urge to respond to an issue of justice

• the move to compassion at the sight of suffering 

• the ongoing, subtle sense of God’s presence in our lives 

• the ability to discern what is right from what is wrong. 

These are the signs of the Spirit in our lives – prompting, encouraging, guiding and empowering us to live from Jesus’ vision of the reign of God.

The work Mount Carmel does with its students is a living reminder that the Spirit is around us, breathing life into our connections and our relationships. Staff and students continue to work with our community to make a difference. May the spirit continue to be at work in our lives.

Also on Friday, staff enjoyed lightening the mood somewhat by going “stripey”.  In an effort to bring some fun and frivolity into a normal work day, staff were encouraged to dress in stripes. Whilst the students didn’t necessarily notice the plot, staff smiled at each other and the mood lifted.  It was a reminder of the elements of positive education which we use at the College to help our students flourish and our staff to feel connected.  It is such a privilege to be a part of Mount Carmel and days like Friday remind me that our community is amazing. The students who are a part of our fabric, breathe life and spirit into what we do and what makes Mount Carmel a place of warmth and wonder.

Quote of the Week

Make space in your life for things that matter, for family and friends, love and generosity, fun and joy.

Jonathan Sacks