Newsletter 7: 31 May 2022
Dear Colleagues,
“Be Brave. Make Change.”
The theme chosen for National Reconciliation week, 2022 underscores a growing sense of hope for many Australians. With the new Federal Government confirming its majority in the House of Representatives a matter of days ago, the priority given by the new Prime Minister to the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a welcome step for the country. In his victory speech on election night, Anthony Albanese said,
“I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.”
The Statement from the Heart invites the reader to deep reflection. It echoes the dignified voices of First Nations people after listening, conversation, consultation, debate, and discernment over a long period of time. 250 delegates at the 2017 First Nations National Constitutional Convention collectively authored the final words and signed the agreement.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council is a peak advisory body to the Australian Catholic Bishops and was founded in 1992. Below is a prayer from their website which is commended to you and your Marist school communities.
Reconciliation Prayer
Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of Our peoples,
and we ask your forgiveness. We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures
Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better
future for our Nation. Teach us to respect all cultures. Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged. Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families,
our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Last week Assistant Principals from Marist schools across the country gathered for their annual conference in person at The Hermitage in Mittagong for the first time in two years. The 2022 Marist theme “Known and Loved – dignity for all” was the key focus within the context of well being. 45 participants from 35 schools shared conversations with Dr Hugh Mackay, the eminent social psychologist and with other experts in the field of student well being. The faith, talent, and commitment of these vital Marist leaders made for a most memorable formative and educative professional experience.
Thank you once again for the generous support for our fellow Marists in Lismore. The MSA Trinity Catholic College Flood Appeal has now reached $180,000.
Best wishes to all our Marist schools and communities for the celebrations next week to mark the Feast of Saint Marcellin Champagnat!