2023 | ISSUE 2 | SJC Newsletter

"Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on." Edmund Rice

It is with great reassurance for us as teachers that the words of Edmund Rice, "Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on," is revealed to us at times such as when we see our students humbly receive acknowledgement for their hard work, persistence and achievements at our Waterford, Westcourt and Mt Sion Awards Ceremonies. Further to this, is when we hear of the achievements of Old Collegians such as our guest speaker, the CEO of Very Special Kids, Michael Wasley and Lyndon Watts, actor in the stage production ‘Hamilton’, who is currently on the cover of the recent Vogue Magazine in which he which he encourages people to, ‘Find people and art forms that urge you to expand…”. It was inspiring for all of our students to see and hear the Awards that they can strive for as they explore out theme in 2023, ‘To open hearts and minds to build a better world for all’ (Rom 12:2).

On Ash Wednesday, our St Joseph’s College Community in an extended homeroom, joined Christians all over the world to stop to celebrate this very first day of the Church Season called Lent. On Ash Wednesday, many Catholics receive the ashes, which are traced on their foreheads to remind them that they are disciples of Jesus and that this six-week season of Lent is a time to give special attention to prayer, fasting and good deeds. As I explained to my RE class, it’s a bit like pre-season training before we journey together through the events of Holy Week concluding with the hope filled celebration of Easter.

We aim to find ways to grow and change for the better, for example by reflecting on how we can find a bit more time in our day to be mindful in prayer and visiting our Chapel to pray for our neighbours in New Zealand, Turkey, Syria and Ukraine. Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Making healthier eating and exercise choices, being more mindful of not being wasteful but more sustainable we are in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Taking social justice practice of using our heads, hearts and hands to contribute to others in our wider community through volunteering for a service program such as Mac & Joe's Cooking or Enviro Service gardening.

Our Religious Education classes took part in an Ash Wednesday preparation lesson where students learnt about the work that the Catholic organisation CARITAS is doing to support communities in Australia and around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. They were challenged to reflected on where they have come from, where they are now and how they will challenge themselves to respond with love and hope, now and for all future generations.

Students wrote three Lenten commitments that show growth and how they will contribute positively in the St Joseph’s, Geelong, National and International community for all future generations. These commitments were burnt to create the ashes that will be used to make the cross. This cross is a sign that we will journey with Jesus and are committed to living out the gospel values.

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition we are called to open our hearts and minds and reflect on the social justice teachings for a hope filled future for future generations. We show solidarity with our neighbours in need, near and far, at St Joseph’s College through our generous support of our upcoming Edmund Rice Day on Friday 12 May to share in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice to provide meals, clothes and teacher training to enable the families of Kensekka Uganda in Africa to allow their children to get an education at our partner school St Joseph’s Kensekka. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Mary Malone Director of Identity