FAITH MATTERS

This year our College theme is Respect and our accompanying quote is “We are but travellers here”. These words will frame our year and act as a reminder to us not only of our values as a school but also of our connection to the Josephite story. 

Respect is of course one of our school values and part of our Mission Statement. As a school community, we strive to act with respect and compassion and we respect the unique dignity, faith and gifts of each person. The quote comes from a letter written by Mary MacKillop in 1866. Her words fit beautifully with the value of respect because they remind us that each moment is precious, we are not here forever, we are on our way to ‘somewhere else ’ and so we need to hold that preciousness with intense care. Her words call us to respect both the people who are in our lives and also the world around us that was gifted to us by God. When Mary wrote “Remember we are but travellers here” she would have been 25 years old. She had dedicated herself to religious life and started the first Josephite school in Penola. Mary was forging a new path for herself and the Sisters and indeed for the many people whose lives would be changed by the work of the Josephites. Inspired by Jesus, Mary MacKillop treated everyone she met with respect and compassion, she didn’t judge people’s circumstances or abilities. 

Instead, she seemed to always consider that we have a responsibility to look after each other, to be stewards, not owners, to care for the world around us and to recognise the dignity of every person. Each of us is on a different journey, a different path and yet there is a sense of community in the deliberate use of ‘we’. Mary didn’t say ‘remember I am a traveller’, she used a collective term, an inclusive term to demonstrate our connection to each other, we are travellers together. This year our community will strive to live out the value of respect more fully and being open to God’s presence, pursue fullness of life for all. Together.