RE Matters

This Friday 21 June, we will celebrate Founder’s Day or as we know it Carroll Day. I would hope our students take some time to consider that this day is not just an excuse for a day without the routine of classes, for fun activities and battle of the bands. But for us to consider through prayer and the Celebration of the Eucharist, as well by example the legacy that Emeritus Archbishop Francis Carroll has left us. We continually remember his dedication, so that his work in commissioning our school and his life of dedication will be an inspiration for us in the light of the Gospel message. So when we gather for Mass on Friday to celebrate Founder’s Day we will proudly pray, reflect and sing together. We will listen to the Scriptures and we will remember the life and work of Fr. Francis Carroll who was so moved to make a difference. Families and the College community are warmly invited to join us for Mass starting at 9.30am in the College Hall.

Luke (4:18-19) sees Jesus quoting from Isaiah. He says this: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”

Our students are offered a unique opportunity: to become more like Jesus every day in their words and actions and to seek to emulate His example by the good works they do. Our job is to put these opportunities in their way! One such opportunity is the annual St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. During the months June – August, students are asked to donate what they can; blankets, doonas, sleeping bags, beanies, gloves, warm socks, scarves and tins/packets of soup. All donations support the poor and disadvantaged in our local community. I take the opportunity to share a story a St Vincent De Paul volunteer shared at Mass. A local man, who had been sleeping rough in the bush near town walked into the St Vincent De Paul shop in Batemans Bay. He was dressed in an old t-shirt and pants, had nothing on his feet and was freezing. He quietly asked for assistance. The women working in the shop had little warm offerings, as the shop had not received many winter donations. All they could provide were some jumpers, a pair of shoes and beanie. They couldn’t provide a blanket, a tent or any soup.

After the rain and cold weather we have been experiencing, I can only imagine how desperate this man felt. St Vincent De Paul offers a hand up, not just a hand out. By donating your pre-loved items to Vinnies they get a new life, support Australians doing it tough and reduce landfill and the impact on the environment. Vinnies need your good quality items to help. When considering whether something can be donated to Vinnies, our rule of thumb is if you’d give it to a friend, then it’s ok to give to Vinnies. Your donations can be dropped outside the REC office in the HUB.

I know that together we can make a difference, each one of us, to the lives of the poor in our community.

Fr. Francis Carroll … Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever

Mrs Charlotte Nicoletti

Faith Formation Coordinator

link to the article Confirmation retreat prepares students for their faith journey in the Catholic Voice, written by our Youth Minister Juliette Pierre.