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Prayer
Creator God,
you formed this land, its rivers, skies, mountains, and people.
Today we acknowledge the injustice experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through colonisation, government policies, and at times through the actions of the Church itself.
We remember the loss of land, language, culture, and family.
As followers of Jesus, help us not to turn away from difficult truths, but to walk honestly and courageously in the path of reconciliation.
Jesus, Prince of Peace,
after the Resurrection your first words to the disciples were: “Peace be with you.”
Teach us to become people of peace.
Help us to build bridges through dialogue and encounter.
Help us to seek understanding rather than division.
May our Mercy values guide us in compassion, justice, hospitality, respect, service, and courage.
May the flame of reconciliation continue to burn within our school community, and may we carry it forward through our words, relationships, learning, and actions.
Holy Spirit,
guide our school community as we continue this journey together.
Help us to live out our FIRE Carrier Covenant through spirituality, cultural recognition and awareness, and practical reconciliation and justice.
Help us to walk gently and justly with First Nations peoples.
Faithful always, we pray.
Amen.
Today’s prayer was taken from yesterday’s Makarrata Assembly which Sacred Heart College holds annually to coincide with National Indigenous Reconciliation Week. The assembly was held yesterday and enjoyed beautiful late autumn sunshine with the respectful silence of the students and staff allowing the shrill calls of the resident cockatoos to feature. The school was privileged to host Taungurung elder, Peter Moser, whose deep words and spirit opened the assembly.
College Events and Activities
As the term passes its mid-point and semester assessments approach, the school has been abuzz with a significant number of internal and external events and activities:
- For the first time in ten days, all Year 7 students were back onsite after completing their Year 7 camp at Kinglake. This camp over three days provides the culmination of the school’s Transition program from primary into secondary school. Congratulations to all students who attended and found the courage to participate in the range of challenging activities offered. Special thanks to Lilly Dusting, Year 7 Level Leader, and her team of homeroom and subject teachers.
- This week saw the performance of theatre production, “The Girl Who Cried Wolf” which included students from across Year 10 – 12. Congratulations to all involved and particularly on the work required outside of class time to put such a show together.
- On Wednesday night, the College hosted “Kynespeak”, a joint SHC/Braemar College event under the patronage of local Rotary and Lions Clubs. In the event, students were asked to deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches to the gathered audience. Congratulations to the students who represented SHC and to Braemar College who were awarded overall winners.
- Last weekend, Sacred Heart College featured prominently in the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Community Awards. Matilda Matthews (Year 10) won the Young Citizen of the Year Award for her outstanding youth leadership, community volunteering and advocacy for social justice and youth voices. Additionally, Year 10 student Matilda Wills was nominated in the Youth Leadership category and was presented with a Runner Up certificate.
- On the weekend of 16 & 17 May, Year 10 students Matilda Matthews and Stella Egberts represented Sacred Heart College at the Victorian Model United Nations Forum. This significant event is facilitated by Rotary Victoria and provided the students the opportunity to debate a number of global issues and possible solutions with their peers – the girls were speaking on behalf of Australia with other countries also represented.
Papal Encyclical – Magnifica Humanitas
This week, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, “On Safeguarding the Human Person in the time of Artificial Intelligence” and the College’s Director of Faith and Mission has referenced it later in this newsletter. I encourage any interested members of the SC community to have a look via this link.
Bereavements - Your prayers are asked for the following families who are mourning the loss of a loved one recently. The Gauci family on the passing of Maureen Seakins, grandmother of Xavier Year 10 and Charli Year 12. The Collett family on the passing of Dorothy Collett, grandmother of Hamish Year 9, and the Bajada family on the passing of Isobel Jarvis, grandmother of Kate Year 12.
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
