Issue 9 SJC News 2020

This is my final newsletter as Deputy Principal of St Joseph’s and I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the past nine years, which has had such a meaningful impact on me. My association with the College began in 1999 when my husband, Ric, began teaching here. Our son Jack, was a student from 2009-2014.

Firstly, it has been a privilege to work with the St Joseph’s students and the staff, who are so dedicated and committed to the College. I am also grateful to the Leadership Team, both present and past members led by Tony Paatsch and previously by Paul Tobias, who have supported me throughout this time.

I once heard Jim Nickoloff, an expert on liberation theology, speak to a group of staff at St Joseph’s. He spoke about three paths to God – through justice, intellect and beauty. Justice, reason and intellect is evident in so many aspects of what we do in our College, particularly when it comes to social justice and the capacity of our students and staff to support the poor and marginalised.

Former principal, Paul Tobias, demonstrated through actions how we should be a voice for the poor and marginalised. He enabled our staff, students and families to expand their understanding and embrace the whole person. Jesus consistently takes particular care to stand with the economically poor and the socially marginalised — those who are outcasts for various reasons. As a College we continue to be inclusive of all. Over the past twenty years we have strived to challenge gender stereotypes and support the LGBTQI community. Advocacy is such an integral part of our identity.

The path to God through justice and intellect is quite practical and one that we apply often in our daily lives at St Joseph’s. But at this time of uncertainty and considerable change, the third path to God, through beauty, can provide solace and comfort. When we experience the sacredness of great beauty we are touched by God, and touch God. Encountering something profoundly beautiful brings us towards an encounter with the divine. This resonates with many of our students when they think about admiring something in nature such as the ocean or when we look at a sunrise or sunset. In times of isolation due to COVID19, I often saw families walking along the beach and enjoying the beauty of the coast. This is such a positive experience from the lockdown period.

I am proud to be part of this College and will always remain connected as a Foundation member and Josephine. The Parents and Friends have been a joy to work with so I hope I can make it to a few events in the future. I would particularly like to thank Mark Kennedy who has been incredibly supportive working together as Deputies over the past six years. He is a true gentleman who has a genuine commitment to enabling our students to learn, grow and be respectful and resilient young men.

I would like to finish with a reflection from Scottish poet John O’Donohue, who, like Jim Nickoloff, insists on beauty as a defining aspect of God. It is called Beannact (BAN-OTH) which means ‘blessing’. If you would like to hear it read in a lovely Scottish brogue please use the following link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfvS2LYbZLQ

I wish everyone in the St Joseph’s community all the best and look forward to remaining connected in the future.

Beannacht

(Blessing)

On the day when

The weight deadens

On your shoulders

And you stumble,

May the clay dance

To balance you.

And when your eyes

Freeze behind

The grey window

And the ghost of loss

Gets into you,

May a flock of colours,

Indigo, red, green

And azure blue,

Come to awaken in you

A meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays

In the currach of thought

And a stain of ocean

Blackens beneath you,

May there come across the waters

A path of yellow moonlight

To bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,

May the clarity of light be yours,

May the fluency of the ocean be yours,

May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow

Wind work these words

Of love around you,

An invisible cloak

To mind your life

- John O’Donohue