From the Principal
Advent: the journey has begun.
Last weekend, at Parish Masses and as a College community within our global Catholic community, we began our Advent journey. You will observe that the colour purple appears in church ceremonies signifying a time of change. This change begins a new year in the Churches’ liturgical calendar and is one of the key Church seasons. It is an exciting church season as it prepares us all to celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s also a reminder for us to take out our family Nativity scenes….and invite the spirit of Christmas into our homes.
I share with you the thoughts of Fr Kevin Bates who speaks about the meaning of the change God calls us to reflect upon in Advent:
Advent is with us once again and with it comes the call of John the Baptist to re-gather our energies, re-focus our plans, re-visit our hearts, re-engage with the wonderful story of salvation revealed to us in Jesus. The colour purple/violet appears in the Churches as a reminder that we are in a time of change, transition, that something is afoot here. There is a certain restlessness in the readings of the Advent. There is also a certain hope that things can at last change. There is a conviction that God is not done with us yet and that our conversion to the gospel is still possible.
In Australia, we are preparing to down tools for the summer holidays and to rest up a bit. This sudden burst of energy that emerges in the Liturgy, is a bit of a jolt that we may struggle to hear and heed. Having said that, we can also say that holidays are a good and appropriate time to reassess our lives and to take a good look at the things we might change in ourselves and among ourselves. When we are in a relaxed mode and not under the normal stresses of the year, we have the opportunity to listen a bit more attentively and to reflect a bit more deeply. The holidays can be an excellent time to enter again the story of salvation to see where we might next journey. Unlike the goldfish, and unlike those traditions whose worship involves a circle of life in which repetition is enough to fulfil one’s religious duties, we are called by God as each new season rolls around, to enter life’s mysteries more deeply, to live more lovingly, to forgive more whole-heartedly and to speak the truth more clearly.
The colour purple is a deep colour, indicating that the conversion in which we are engaged is something profound and powerful. Things really are shifting. We are indeed changing and embracing the call of John the Baptist to straighten out a few crooked roads, flatten a few hills, liberate the imprisoned bits of our inner and outer world and all the while we rejoice. We rejoice, because this is not change for change’s sake. This is all about seeking out and embracing a new way of being that is born of love and that finds its truest expression in love. It’s our chance to believe again that love can indeed be the energy that shapes all our decisions, all our relationships, all our hopes. Preparing the way of the Lord is well within the reach of each of us. It’s what we are made for. It’s the project that will bring us the fullest imaginable joy and peace as God’s Word becomes born again in our time and through the quality of our love.
A purple ribbon, poster or decoration of some kind in our homes might provide a reminder through this Advent that we are readying ourselves for something wonderful to emerge in our midst. Happy Advent everyone.
Our College Musical 2023 – Frozen Jnr
Since the announcement at the recent Principal’s Assembly of our College Musical for 2023, FROZEN JNR, there has been a buzz of excitement in the air. Frozen Jnr is an enchanting modern classic from Disney which brings Elsa, Anna and the magical land of Arendelle to life. It reflects our Marist Compass through the story of love and acceptance between sisters. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and powerful bond. Thanks to our Performing Arts staff who have begun rehearsals. It is wonderful to see such a high degree of interest and passion among the girls while sharing their talents. Opportunities will be available both onstage and behind the scenes. We look forward to the show onstage in July next year.
MSCW Showcase of talents
Over the last few weeks of the year, there has been opportunities for our students to take the lead and share their talents through presentation and performance. The performance night last Wednesday evening highlighted an outstanding standard, proficiency and array of instruments and voice. These opportunities will be showcased later in the Newsletter. A further highlight has been the chance to have parents back onsite to share these experiences. Next week, we look forward to students showcasing their talents in areas of Performing Arts, TAS, Creative Arts and our Newman Gifted and Talented Program.
MSCW Representative Stars!
Congratulations to Mia Rodgers who received a Blue Award for Touch Football and Milly Puckeridge for Diving at the NSW Combined Catholic College Awards night.
The NSW CCC Awards recognise outstanding Sporting achievements and is the highest accolade a student can receive from NSW Combined Catholic Colleges.
Milly placed 2nd at the NSWCCC Diving Championships after competing remotely due to being interstate at the Olympic diving trials. She also placed 1st in the NSW All Schools 17 – 19 Years Girls Platform event.
Mia has been a long serving member of NSWCCC Touch Football. She was a member of the NSWCCC and NSW All Schools 15’s team and was Captain of the NSWCCC Open Team in 2022. Mia represented NSW U/20’s at State of Origin Touch this year and is a member of the Australian Youth Touch Squad. This year she was named the “Most Valuable Player” at the National Youth Championships while representing NSWCCC.
Both students are credit to the College and their families and I wish them all the best for their future endeavours involving Touch Football and Diving.
