From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

Congratulations to all members of the St Joseph’s College Community on a wonderful first term of 2022. From the generous and caring efforts of the parents and ancillary staff in supporting the students and teachers, to the committed and professional work of the teachers in preparing and delivering engaging learning experiences and the organisation and conducting of extra-curricular activities, to the outstanding results of the students in the academic, sporting and cultural life of the College. The first term of 2022 has certainly had its challenges, however, our College community can be very proud of their achievements.

As in previous years we have continued to work in partnership with our parents / carers and students to ensure that the students of our College understand the expectations that we have about wearing the uniform appropriately, being prepared for class and using appropriate manners. We strongly believe that these high expectations and the high level of support provided have been the catalyst for the great term we have enjoyed and I thank you as members of our community for your continued support of St Joseph’s College and your young people. We are continuing to grow a culture of learning within our College community and this culture very much looks and sounds like people who get in and have a go, striving to be the best they can be in all aspects of life. St Joseph’s College is truly a great community to be a part of.

Holy Week Reflection

This afternoon our staff and students participated in our Easter Liturgy led by Miss Ford and the students. The focus of the liturgy are the events of Holy Week and I would like to thank Miss Ford and the students for their efforts in bringing to life and explaining the events of this very important week in our calendar.

With approximately two weeks of Lent to go I would like to share with you a reflection on ‘The Last Supper,’ which was written by Fr Shay Cullen SSC who has been a missionary in the Philippines since 1969.

Photo and reflection retrieved from: https://www.columban.org.au

Before we leave on a journey, move house or migrate abroad many of us like to gather with family and friends. We give them a parting gift, something symbolic so our love and friendship will be remembered and our life will be recalled and cherished.  It can be a photograph or favourite book, a recorded video or audio message.

Jesus left no such mementoes by which to be remembered.  He left something greater, He left Himself present to all.

The meal of bread and wine, The Last Supper, the Eucharist, is much more than a farewell party, more than a religious rite and more than a religious obligation.

It’s a unique spiritual event through which Christians experience His presence and during which the redemption of humankind that He brought about by his life, death and resurrection is re-enacted and renewed.

During the Eucharist we are called to be true and faithful disciples - to be another Christ. We are called to serve others as Jesus did - helping the poor, lifting up the downtrodden, releasing captives, healing the sick, challenging the causes of poverty and oppression, helping orphans and widows. This is the way to extend His presence and love in the world - through unselfish service.

It was not by chance that Jesus shocked his disciples during the Last Supper when He began to wash their feet.  This was the work of a domestic servant and Peter refused until Jesus told him he could not be a disciple unless he accepted. 

He gave them and us this example of discipleship. This is an important part of the Eucharist, it bonds us to Jesus and to each other in a commitment without asking for rewards.

A true disciple must take an active stand for the truth, justice and dignity of every person.  The Eucharist not only gives us the spiritual power to embrace such principles but the courage to act for and on behalf of the abused, exploited, sick and the hungry. When this meaning is lost and the Eucharist becomes more of a church ritual than a dynamic call for commitment to community service then we will have empty pews and fewer Christians. 

The preaching of Jesus and his compassion for the poor and the outcasts was at the heart of the Kingdom of God. He uplifted their human dignity and restored them in the ‘image and likeness of God.’

All were to be treated equally as children of God. That’s the basis of our declarations on human rights as we know them today. When we defend them we are taking a stand as Jesus did.  We take the risks He did. 

He paid the ultimate price for his unwavering faithfulness to the Father - death by crucifixion.  The rulers of the day saw Jesus as a threat to their power and authority. Before He was falsely accused, arrested, tortured and executed, He left us the Eucharist.

Food and drink are the essentials of life, spiritual and physical. The symbolism and the reality became one when He and His disciples celebrated the Jewish Passover meal. This recalled the historical deliverance of the Jewish people from the slavery of Egypt when Moses led them into the desert, into a covenant with God. 

During the supper Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples and said ‘This is my body which is given for you, do this in memory of me.  In the same way, he gave them the cup after the supper saying, ‘This cup is a new covenant sealed in my blood, poured out for all.’

When Jesus told his disciples and believers to “Do this in memory of me,” it wasn’t just a sentimental ritual he left, but a memorial of his life, death and resurrection. That is why reading and reflecting on the Gospel account of His life is so important. We are called to imitate Him, “to put on Christ” as St Paul says and be doers of the Word and not just listeners.

The Eucharist is the moment when Jesus is present among us, inspiring us to go out and preach his Word and fulfil his mission.  We can’t be true to Him if we don't bend down and “wash a foot.” 

Through faith in Jesus Christ we are one with God. When we break the bread and share the cup we celebrate this and commit ourselves to imitate Him and continue His mission to transform the world.  Above all, the Eucharist is the living presence of Christ who is always with us.

My Lord, Jesus,

You have risen to new life!

Give me new eyes with which to recognise your presence in the world around me.

Sharpen my vision so that I see beyond the ordinary events of each day

and into the extraordinary reality of your grace.

Brighten my view of the world with renewed hope in the coming of your Kingdom.

Soften my gaze so that I view others with the kind of tenderness and compassion you showed so many.

May each day of this Easter season provide glimpses of your glory.

In your sacred name, I pray.

Amen

Best wishes for the break. Please be safe and take appropriate breaks when travelling. We look forward to students returning on Wednesday 20 April refreshed and ready to continue to participate, persevere and aspire to excellence.

Kort Goodman - Principal - KGoodman@sjc.qld.edu.au