Dear Parents/Carers and Community Members

“This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  1 Cor. 11:24

Thursday, we begin the Triduum – the three great celebrations of our Catholic Faith.  These three celebrations are the heart of our faith and are the culmination of all our worship throughout the Year.  Thursday, with the celebration of the Lord’s gift of the Holy Eucharist, Friday we enter into the mystery of Jesus’ Crucifixion and Saturday, after the sun goes down, we enter into the glory of his Resurrection.

On Holy Thursday, Jesus offered an example of the perfect humility and service to others that we are called to imitate in our own lives.  He washed the feet of his Apostles so as to teach them and us that His Body and Blood are given so as to enable us to love as he has loved, to be true servants who are called to humility and to provide humble service to others.

In the past week with the devastating floods, many homes, businesses, and lives were impacted across our community.  As individuals, we cannot image how these people are feeling unless we have been impacted directly.  With this devastation, we saw our community come together and be true servants, showing humility and giving service to others as Jesus enabled us and teaches us to do.

I can speak openly about this, as my family’s business was directly impacted with water entering my wife’s business in Pulteney Street.  We were flooded in at home, and could not get into town to try to save stock etc.  My wife put out a message for anyone that could help, shortly afterwards more than 50 people, a lot of people we did not know, turned up and helped my sister move stock to safer ground.  That was truly a humbling experience for my family.  A clear example of humble service of others, and I thank every one of them.

These events have demonstrated what we can achieve when a community comes together with a clear focus of helping others.  There is still a lot to do, but we will get through it as we have shown with previous events over the past few years.  We cannot also forget the support of so many community members and groups, including RFS, SES, Fire Brigade, Army and Valley Industries to just name a few who have come from afar to support our community.

The questions Jesus always wants us to ask ourselves in both good and bad times are:  Do you serve those around you?  Do you humble yourself before others to care for their most basic needs?  Do you show love towards them by your actions?  Are you committed to seeking ways in which you can serve others, showing them, your love and care for them?  This is at the heart of Holy Thursday.  Humble service is a beautiful expression of our own humanity, our intimate union with Jesus and our love, care, and respect for others.

I wish every student, teacher, parent, and carer a very enjoyable, safe and loving Easter and school holiday break.  To the families and community members of the Manning and Great Lakes, impacted by the flooding, you are in our prayers during this time.

God Bless

 Phillip Gibney
Acting Principal