APRE News
By Mrs Carol Sharp, APRE
Year 7 Excursion
Did you know….??
- The first permanent parish priest for St. Mary’s Catholic Parish was Dr Giovanni Cani in 1862
- The first church, which now sits beside our current church, cost £1,500 to build
- The current church was built using stone from Yangan Quarries, granite from Greymare and the altar was made from Sicilian marble.
These are just some of the facts our Year 7 students learned on their excursion to St. Mary’s Parish Church last Friday. The purpose of this excursion was to assist them with their assessment for the term. This assessment task asks them to create a brochure about the church, explaining the significance of the building and how the architectural choices and interior design, reflect specific beliefs of the Catholic tradition.
A big thank you to our Year 7 teachers for organising this excursion and to Patrice, Fr Franco and Dave Carr for sharing their stories and insights with our students.
Leadership Induction Liturgy
On Monday we held a liturgy to celebrate the induction of our current Year 11 students into their leadership roles. The theme of the liturgy was servant leadership and, in Fr Franco’s absence, Mr. Goodman provided a reflection on the Gospel reading from St. John, Jesus Washes the Feet of his Disciples. One thing that really stood out for me in this Gospel was not so much the importance of leading by serving others, significant as that is. It was more the idea that we must allow others to wash our feet for us. The challenge for the school community is accept the leadership of these young people and work together to continue to make positive changes in our community.
I would also like to make mention of our current Year 12 leaders. They will be working hard over the next term or so to mentor our Year 11s and, as such, are a true example of servant leadership. I thank them for their generosity and wisdom in taking up this role.
Other Masses and Liturgies
Feast Day Mass: On Thursday, August 15th we will be holding our annual feast day mass to celebrate Our Lady of the Assumption. This mass will begin at 9.30am and will be held at the MacKillop Centre at St. Mary’s Upper Primary Campus.
Opening and Blessing of New Buildings: On Thursday, August 22nd the Most Reverend Bishop Robert McGuckin will join us to preside over an official blessing ceremony for our new and refurbished buildings. This liturgy will happen in the new Assumption College Sports Hall and will include a range of invited guests including the Executive Director of Catholic Education, Dr Pat Coughlan.
Prayer - Defining Leadership
Leadership is hard to define.
Lord, let us be the ones to define it with justice.
Leadership is like a handful of water.
Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.
Leadership is not about watching and correcting.
Lord, let us remember it is about listening and connecting.
Leadership is not about telling people what to do.
Lord, let us find out what people want.
Leadership is less about the love of power and more about the power of love.
Lord, as we continue to undertake the role of leader let us be affirmed by the servant leadership we witness in your son Jesus.
Let us walk in the path He has set and let those who will, follow.
Let our greatest passion be compassion.
Our greatest strength love. Our greatest victory the reward of peace.
In leading let us never fail to follow.
In loving let us never fail.
Amen