St Joseph's College, Echuca

Principal's Report

Bouncing Back with Respect, Commitment and Gratitude

 

What a busy week to be writing this newsletter. There has almost been too much to think about as we 

  • on Monday welcomed staff back to working on site,
  • on Tuesday welcomed back Year 11 and 12 students and some Year 10 students,
  • this entire week is we acknowledge our National Reconciliation Week,
  • on Sunday we have one of our Church’s major feast days, Pentecost.

It has been wonderful hearing our college return to some semblance of normal with the cheerful voices of staff and students back again. No doubt there will be some teething problems whilst we get the healthy distancing right, but I am sure that there is a high level of cooperation between staff and students that will make this possible.

 

We paused on Tuesday to reflect on how each of us might contribute in our own individual way to the ongoing process of reconciliation between immigrant Australians and indigenous Australians. We also launched our Reconciliation Covenant 2020 – 2023 in which we recognise the special place and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Australia and acknowledge that the Aboriginal peoples have been the caretakers of this land for more than 60,000 years.  We respect their spiritual connection to our Earth through the Dreaming.

 

What is Reconciliation: 

 

“An apology begins the healing process.  Apology means understanding, a willingness to enter into the suffering.  It implies a commitment to do more” (The late Sir Ronald Wilson, Chair of the Nation Inquiry into the Removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families).  We understand that practical measures need to address the disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal people in education, health, employment and general opportunity.

 

Reconciliation is an active pursuit, it’s about getting what’s needed and what we know to get the results we want and that’s the mixture of measures that target the body, mind and the Spirit.  (Mick Dodson, Australian of the Year, National Press Club address, 17 February 2009.)

 

Reconciliation does not work to a strict timeline like other projects.  It succeeds or fails in the hearts of all Australians.  (The late Dr Evelyn Scott, AO, 1935 -2017.)

 

“The prophet will persist for as long as it takes to make the present what God intends it to be as well as to prepare the future to maintain it. (Joan Chittister osb, in the Kildare Ministries, Principles of Living Justice Framework Resource, 2020.)

 

We also turn our attention to preparing for Pentecost.

 

What is Pentecost?

 

Pentecost is the great celebration that marks the birth of the Christian Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles and Mary, together with many of Jesus’ disciples, were indoors when a sound like a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire hovered over their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Pope Benedict tells us how this event is to be understood by us on a personal basis when he says, “Jesus is no longer to be found in any specific place, but His spirit, the Holy Spirit, emanates from Him and enters our hearts, thereby uniting us with Jesus and with the Father”.

 

The weeks after Pentecost focus attention on the work of the Holy Spirit in the day to day life of a Christian. It is to Jesus that we look to see what life and growth we should pursue, for it was Jesus who showed us how to live the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. We admire the wisdom expressed in His parables, His understanding of the poor and the sick, His right judgement when tested by the Pharisees, His courage to continue the journey to Jerusalem when He knew what fate would await Him, His knowledge of God’s will, His reverence for His Father, His awe before the wonders of creation: “…. consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air … .”

 

The Spirit of the first Pentecost began a life’s journey in the Apostles and disciples, as they shared the life of Jesus with other people. So, too, is the Spirit of Pentecost with our young people as, hopefully, they live and share the life of Jesus with the people in their lives. Of course, they will need example and encouragement from their parents, teachers, and other adults in their lives.

 

There is no doubt about it that juggling family life in the 21st Century with all its complexities is enlivening. Our presence and wisdom in helping our children find the right balance is a gift that will make a difference in their life and assist them in balancing their lives – a skill that is certainly at the core of a fully human life for our young people.

 

In amongst all this busyness I would remind all of us of the power of making time for a few minutes to be spent in silence in the presence of God. Not in a “Oh my God I am so busy please help me” sense, but in a quiet “God, I am using my talents to the best of my ability. Deep down I know I can make it through this busy period, but I just need to be reassured that you are with me every minute of the way" sense. And of course, deep down we do know God is with us every minute of the way but without a conscious effort to remind ourselves of this we can too easily fall into self-doubt and worry and stress.

 

With best wishes as we Bounce Back with Respect, Commitment and Gratitude

 

God bless.

 

Michael Delaney

Principal