From the Religious Education Coordinator
“Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary”
(Isaiah 40:31)
On Friday 9th February we came together as a Catholic community to celebrate the start of the new year with our Opening School Mass. It was great to once again invite Fr Simon to celebrate Mass and help us induct Mr Grana as the new College Principal. As has become tradition at Good Samaritan, our Senior Leaders were also invited to make their leaders pledge and be blessed by Fr Simon. Let us pray for Mr Grana and our Senior Leaders as they undertake important roles of service in our school community.
This week we held prayer services within House groups for Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday holds a special significance in the liturgical calendar, serving as a time for Catholics to embark on a period of introspection, repentance, and renewal. At these prayer services, students and staff received ashes on their foreheads, symbolising mortality and the need for penance. Through scripture and prayer, they were invited to embrace the spiritual journey of Lent, striving for personal growth and a deeper relationship with God.
In 2024 our Encounter Youth Group is once again prepared to be an integral part of our College by providing many opportunities for students and staff to participate in the Catholic life of the College. Already we have seen the return of events such as pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and roses for Valentines Day. In addition, prayer activities like Friday Mass, the Holy Rosary, and Stations of the Cross have also returned this week. Next week Christ Chat returns in the form of the Lenten Prayer Group and in a few weeks we will hopefully have our first Encounter Youth afternoon event. Finally I would like to take this opportunity to encourage students to take up the new Exodus 40 spiritual challenge throughout the season of Lent. This new initiative will hopefully guide students and staff to successfully engage with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent.
Our school theme for 2024 highlights the prophet Isaiah’s plea to keep faith in God, even when times get tough. Let us traverse through the year ever mindful that God is with us each and every step of the way.
God Bless!
Mr Matthew Bradbury
Religious Education Coordinator