Newsletter 2: 22 February 2022

The current crisis in Eastern Europe that has cost, and continues to threaten, the lives of many innocent people represents a catastrophic escalation in geopolitical tensions that have existed in various guises for many decades. History repeatedly teaches humankind of the suffering and ultimate futility of war. With the perilous developments reported in recent days, including comparative references to the most fraught periods of the Cold War and the precipitous months leading into the Second World War, the leadership and voice of Pope Francis is to be amplified throughout our Marist schools.

The Holy Father has urged all Catholics to commence this Lenten Season by dedicating

Ash Wednesday 2 March

as a

Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine.

“I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war,” the Pope said. In January this year Pope Francis in reference to Ukraine urged the people of the world to “think about the more than 5 million people who were annihilated (in Ukraine) during the time of the last war. They are a suffering people, they suffered famine, they suffered so much cruelty and they deserve peace. Let us ask the Lord to grant that the country may grow in the spirit of brotherhood, and that all hurts, fears, and divisions will be overcome. Please, no more war.”

Now, Lord, come to our aid!

Grant us peace, teach us peace;

guide our steps in the way of peace.

Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say:

“Never again war!”;

“With war everything is lost”.

Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Pope Francis

This week it was announced that Ms Julie Ryan will be retiring in the middle of the year from her position as MSA Regional Director for Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. We look forward to recognising and celebrating Julie’s immense contributions to Marist Schools later in the year. Attention is drawn to two positions advertised with Marist Schools Australia below. The second is a new Director role with MSA with responsibility for School Improvement. The selection processes for these positions will be undertaken in the coming weeks.