Are we already in Week 4 of Term 1? How time flies!
I wonder how the young Prep students we witnessed walking into school for the first time as part of our #myamazingstart campaign are going now? I hope they are finding their way around the school, adjusting to the new routines and to life and learning in the classroom.
Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday we will mark the beginning of the Christian season of Lent with Ash Wednesday liturgies in schools and parishes. Lent is a time when Christians reflect on their lives and consider what sort of people they are becoming as we prepare for the great feast of Easter.
We often say that Lent is a time of 'repentance'. Jesus used this word a lot. The actual word the Gospel writers used was 'metanoia'. This Greek word means 'change of heart'. Lent is a time when we change direction or at least realign ourselves with the things that are really important. It is time to put away the things that distract us or prevent us from being our best selves.
Project Compassion launch
Caritas Australia's annual Project Compassion campaign will be launched on 16th February at the Cathedral of St Stephen with schools able to join the mass via livestream. This year the theme for Project Compassion is 'Be more' inspired by the words of St Oscar Romero who asked us to 'Aspire not to have more, but to be more'. Powerful words indeed. Our schools have always generously supported the annual Project Compassion campaign and I thank you for again supporting this worthwhile cause as we join with millions of Australians who want to end poverty and injustice in our world.
OAM Award - Congratulations Jeff Kemp
Dr Jeff Kemp OAM
I acknowledge and congratulate the wonderful contribution of Dr Jeff Kemp from St Michael's College (Merrimac), who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2021 Australia Day awards. Jeff is a long serving and dedicated staff member of Brisbane Catholic Education and he received an OAM for his outstanding service to youth through counselling and sporting programs. We extend our congratulations to you Jeff. This award is a well-deserved recognition of your commitment to young people and to St Michael's College, Merrimac, to Brisbane Catholic Education and to the broader community.
School library week
From February 15 t0 19 it is Queensland School Libraries Week. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many committed and passionate librarians across our schools.
For many years I have worked with librarians both in the office and in schools. I had the pleasure of working with Jane Connolly for many years. Jane was a school librarian before taking up a role in the BCE office. I was one of many of Jane's colleagues who gained so much from her depth of knowledge in a variety of areas, her ability to research any manner of topics and her wonderful way with words. Jane's love of reading and literature is contagious as is her great sense of humour!
I am looking forward to joining David McInnes, Principal and the St Teresa's College, Noosaville, community on Friday 19 February for their opening school year Mass, to be celebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane and the blessing and official opening of new facilities at the college.
The lockdown in Victoria this week is a stark reminder of the continued presence of COVID-19 in our community. It is my hope and prayer that you, your family and friends remain safe and well as this year continues to unfold.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Pam Betts