Dear Parents and Carers
This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day and whilst, we acknowledge that we cannot ever thank our Mothers enough for the love and support they provide us, this is one small way that we can honour the contribution our mothers make in our lives.
I am not sure how many of you would have heard the story about the school that had its students perform a play about the life of Jesus. In this play several of the actors had to memorise a line or two from scripture. On the day of the performance one of the little boys who was responsible for remembering his lines got stage-fright and couldn’t remember his line. While he was desperately trying to remember his line, he caught his mother’s eye and she mouthed the line: “I am the light of the world.” Suddenly the boy then opened his mouth and with a huge smile on his face declared: “My mother is the light of the world.”
As Catholics we have as our universal mother, the Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus who truly could claim to be, “the light of the world”. Because Jesus had a human and a divine nature which cannot be divided, Mary holds the title of Mother of God.
Often, we are accused of praying to Mary as if she was a Goddess of sorts. But we have a saying, “To Jesus through Mary”, which indicates that we pray through Mary as our intercessor who prays to God on our behalf. Because Mary was “favoured by God” (Luke 1:30), when she was personally chosen to become the mother of Jesus, we believe that we have a greater chance of obtaining God’s graces by asking Mary to intercede for us. When Mary told her cousin, Elizabeth, of her pregnancy, she stated, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46). Mary is stating that Jesus is magnified by her soul. We still believe today, that Mary’s soul “magnifies the Lord” and so we petition her.
Mary’s human life helps her to be a bridge between earth and heaven helping us all to see what is possible. It is possible to be born poor into a simple life, yet achieve mightily in life. It is possible to be uncertain about ourselves, experience fear when opportunities arise and then accept with courage what is offered to us. It is possible to persevere through times of sorrow and disappointment and to keep our trust in God. It is possible to live our lives in hope, trusting that God’s spirit will be with us in all we do.
Our St Joseph’s College values of Endeavour, Compassion, Respect and Dignity are clearly apparent in the actions of Mary throughout her life and as members of the College community we are called to ‘Serve Him in Others,” as Mary our universal mother did throughout her life.
This week we pray for our mothers and grandmothers who play such an important role in our community.
A Prayer for our Mothers
Just as God gives to each rose a gentle touch of dew
and gives unto each evening sky the lovely sunset’s hue.
So may he give to you from his enduring love,
great happiness and hearts content
and blessings from above.
Amen.
Return to School
As a gentle reminder, below I have put in dot points the information that was forwarded to parents yesterday in the letter that was sent to our community.
- Monday the 11 May 2020, students in Year 11 and 12 will return to on-site learning.
- Students who are vulnerable or whose parents are essential workers will also be able to attend school as per current arrangements.
- All other students in Years 7 to 10 will continue with learning online at home.
Supervision and Curriculum Delivery
- If parents choose to keep their Year 11 or 12 student at home to participate in learning at home, the student will be counted as attending school.
- It is essential that parents/carers continue to advise the College of any absence.
- In cases where students in Years 11 or 12 remain at home, the classroom teacher is not responsible for providing an alternative home-based learning program for students.
- The classroom teacher will continue to use our CANVAS learning management system.
- The volume and detail of the information in Year 11 and 12 courses may not be as comprehensive.
- Students in Years 7 to 10 will continue to learn at home or if attending the College, using lessons accessed through CANVAS and with teachers conducting Teams meetings where appropriate.
Student Expectations
- All students who attend St Joseph’s College are expected to demonstrate our College values of Respect, Endeavour, Compassion and Dignity.
- It is expected that all student will; strive to achieve to the best of their ability, attend school and be punctual, be prepared for class, use appropriate manners, always engage in safe behaviours and wear the correct uniform appropriately.
Finally, I would like to highlight the extensive information regarding Health and Safety Measures in place and the Uniform Expectations to be adhered to when returning to school that is included in this week’s newsletter and I thank my colleagues for sharing this information.
Best wishes for the fortnight.
Kort