We officially welcome back all of our students to school for Term 2. We hope that you enjoyed Easter with your families and friends and that you were able to enjoy the warm weather over the break. We look forward to the upcoming term and are enthusiastic about working with our students to enhance their learning experiences and connection to the College through the many different offerings we provide.
Pope Francis has passed away, May God Rest his Soul, may Perpetual Light Shine upon him.
God, Who, in Thine ineffable providence, didst will that Thy servant Francis ... should be numbered among the high priests; grant, we beseech Thee, that he, who on earth held the place of Thine only-begotten Son, may be joined forevermore to the fellowship of Thy holy pontiffs. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Pope Francis shone a light on the wisdom and capacity we all possess to lead and respond as the People of God, committed to building a better world. In solidarity with the poor, we recognise the radical leadership of Francis in responding to the realities of people’s lives. He challenged each of us to imagine and create communities where the causes of poverty, oppression, exclusion and injustice are understood and addressed. Pope Francis recognized that the only response was mercy and hope: working in the messiness of the world, alleviating suffering and striving for justice and peace. He spoke a language of inclusion, liberation, spirituality, justice and solidarity, underpinned by a theological wisdom that expanded this love and care beyond humanity to all of creation. With wisdom, simplicity and humility, this work of transformation and change has generated renewal, hope and optimism for our “common home.” In solidarity with the homeless, the prisoner, the refugee, the asylum-seeker, the stateless and the victim of conflict, we are emboldened by his courageous messages, his simple gestures and daily actions which challenged individuals, communities, governments, authoritarian leaders and international bodies to care for those most in need and commit to a more loving and compassionate world.
As a Parade community, we reflect on Pope Francis’ message of compassion, inclusion, and care for our world, and continually work toward nurturing an environment of trust and respect at Parade where all of our students are committed to building a better world for all.
We remember that Old Paradians fought and died in each major campaign and there are many Old Paradians serving in Australia’s armed forces today. We remember in a particular way those that served in the 1st and 2nd World War and the Vietnam Wars in the Honour Boards in the Hickey Foyer. The chief architect of the first ANZAC Day solemn service was actually an Anglican priest, Canon David John Garland, who pictured an “All Souls’ Day for Australia” in 1916, to commemorate the losses suffered at Gallipoli. His wish was for the service to be acceptable to all faiths and denominations or it would not be observed. I think observing ANZAC Day provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect on life and its meaning and its tragedies.
ANZAC Day, whilst in many ways a secular ceremony, has spiritual components that resonate for us as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition - be it in the sacrifice, in the lowering of the flag, the bugle call, the minute’s silence - something's calling us and as people of faith, we would believe that's God calls to us in these sacred moments.
Lest We Forget
On Monday 5 May, the feast day of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice is celebrated around the world. As a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition, we offer both hope and inspiration to our young people, and aim to live out of the Charism of Blessed Edmund. The Charter for schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition highlight four Touchstones, which guide us in our daily mission.
One of the Touchstones of the Charter, Liberating Education, can be summarised here:
‘Empowered by liberating teaching and learning experiences, we open our hearts and minds, so that we are hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.’
As we note in another Touchstone, Justice and Solidarity, it is Jesus’ message of compassion, justice and peace that we seek to make a living reality for all people. As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are invited to think about the challenges that other people face, and to see how we can contribute to God’s mission of making the world a better place for all.
Next week we will take the opportunity to reflect on the life of Blessed Edmund Rice and celebrate his life’s mission.
We look forward to the upcoming musical production of The Wedding Singer, with Santa Maria College. Our students have been thoroughly enjoying the rehearsals and we look forward to a wonderful show in the month of May. This year, the musical will be staged at Parade College in the Rivergum Theatre at our Bundoora Campus. I sincerely thank all of the staff from both schools for their efforts in working with the students in the lead up to these shows.
As we approach Mother's Day, it is essential to recognize and honour the profound impact mothers have in shaping our lives and communities. Whether it's through their unconditional love, unwavering support, or invaluable guidance, mothers play a pivotal role in nurturing future generations. This special day offers us the opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for all that they do. Let's take this moment to celebrate and cherish the remarkable women in our lives, acknowledging their immeasurable contributions to our personal growth and collective wellbeing.
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