Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care
130 years: Our truth unfolding
In this, our 130th year, it is important to consider what it means to be Dominican and to ensure that we can see and live this ethos not just by looking into our yesterdays but also by walking with each other today and by planning for our future tomorrow.
On the landing page of the website for the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands is the following description of the Mission of the Sisters:
Empowered by the gifts of the spirit, alert to the signs of the times and working for Gospel values, we seek to preach truth, defend freedom and promote justice.
‘To read the signs of the times’ is a phrase synonymous with the Dominican Ethos and Sr Mary O’Driscoll explores this notion, presenting it as something that can be both quite academic as well as something very personal and heartfelt. She writes ‘As Dominicans, we are asked to get to reality, we want the truth to come out.’
Her reflections on the meaning of the search for truth emphasise that while study is important, Truth isn’t all about study. It’s about relating, empathising, feeling. Our hearts aren’t secondary to our minds; they’re just as powerful. Truth isn’t all about academic theories; it’s also about considering our personal relationships, and our relationship with the world around us. We’re called, she tells us to “read the signs of the times in our home, communities, and worldwide.”
It’s a lesson taken first-hand from Dominic. One evening in 1206, outside the north gates of the village of Fanjeaux, Dominic sat reading about St Mary Magdalen whose feast day it was. As he reflected on the life of the saint, he was moved to ask God for guidance in what he should do. He also asked for a sign from the Blessed Virgin to help him. Just then, a globe of fire came out of the heavens, hovered a bit, and then, in a blaze of glory, settled over the forlorn and desolate church of Prouille which was nearby. The saint could not believe his eyes. He came back to the same spot the next evening and the sign was repeated. He returned again on the third evening and sure enough the vision appeared again. He took this as the sign he had prayed for and determined that the church at Prouille was the place God wanted him to begin his work. This vision is known as the Seignadou, ‘the sign of God’, in the language of the place and time.
So, let’s take time in 2024, our 130th anniversary year, to read the signs of the times, in fact to see our truth unfolding. As we contemplate, engage, converse, teach and love may we see our truth unfolding before us – a truth that is each day altered and unfurling because we have undertaken these tasks in a contemporary way – responding to the world in which we exist today, now.
AND may we do this not as Dominicans but because we are Dominican.
Our Liturgical start to the year
The start of the year has also been a wonderful time for us to come together to celebrate Mass together across the campus. On Wednesday 31 January Father John Hayes joined us to celebrate two opening Masses for our Years 5-12 students. On Friday 2 February we were joined by Fr Gavin Foster who led the P-4 Opening Mass. During our opening Masses the 13th Anniversary commemorative pins were blessed and all students received these pins to wear on their uniforms for the remainder of the year.
Ash Wednesday and Lent
On Wednesday 14 March we entered the season of Lent by marking Ash Wednesday with House group or grade-level liturgies. During Lent we will be supporting the Caritas Lenten Appeal and various initiatives will occur over the coming weeks. This may also be an opportunity for students to attend Christian meditation, Thursday lunchtime Mass or Rosary groups that are held across all campuses at the College each week.
Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care