Dear SJMS Community
This Sunday is the 6th Sunday of Easter. The Gospel is taken from Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper and is dominated by his coming departure. The final gift that Jesus leaves for his disciples is the gift of peace ‘a peace that the world cannot give.’ Sometimes we mistake this peace for our idea of quietness or tranquillity, but the peace the Jesus gives is a peace that can be found even in the midst of turmoil, as Jesus illustrated in the days following this discourse at the Last Supper.
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace found frequently in the bible. Our English word ‘peace’ doesn’t adequately capture all that Shalom means. Shalom conveys a sense of completeness, an idea that nothing is lacking, Shalom is perfect wellbeing – perfect communion with God. This deep peace is a peace that we all desire, a peace that prevails even in times of stress and tension. How do we obtain this peace? Not by ordering our lives better, having a great diary system, looking after ourselves, or going for a massage. In the Gospel today Jesus tells us that this peace comes from God alone, it is God’s gift to us. If we are in relationship with God, if we are in union with God, then we will be blessed with the gift of peace and we can extend this gift to those around us, if we first receive this gift from God.
National Reconciliation Week
From 27 May to 3 June annually across Australia we celebrate National Reconciliation Week. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the anniversaries of the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. Last week our Year 6s stood outside the significant building where this landmark decision was made. During National Reconciliation Week we take the opportunity to further our learning about the culture and history of Australia's Indigenous people, and in turn this challenges us to re-examine how we as a Nation can help turn around the continuing disadvantage experienced by so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort. National Reconciliation Week this year has the theme ‘Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage’. The focus is to foster positive race relations, the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community must be grounded in a foundation of truth.
National Sorry Day
This Sunday is National Sorry Day. National Sorry Day recognises the negative impact of Australian policies, practices and attitudes on Indigenous people.
The story of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples has a short, but important history in Australia. Many people feel that an integral step to reconcile these groups starts at the top – with the government recognising and apologising for policies, practices and attitudes that discriminated against, isolated and marginalised Indigenous people.
Year 6 Canberra Trip
Last week our Year 6 students joined the Year 6 students from St Monica’s Parish School Walkerville and ventured to Canberra. The camp is a wonderful learning experience for students and is supported by PACER, which subsidises all Australian students to be able to have such an experience in the ACT.
The learning was very relevant to students in the lead up to the election held last week. As a result of their learning experiences in Canberra, the students have a greater knowledge as to why Canberra was established, the significance of this ‘meeting place’ and the democratic processes that underpin the Australian Democratic Political System.
I was interested to hear on mainstream radio this week the commentators openly say that they didn’t understand the idea of ‘second party preferred’, referring to the seat of Mayo over the weekend. I can confidently say that our Year 6 students are well aware of this process and how the seat of Mayo would have been won. I was very proud of our students who received numerous compliments on how they conducted themselves, their questioning, their engagement and understanding.
Walkathon
I look forward to participating in the whole school Walkathon this Friday. Money raised will support the 'Cure Brain Cancer Foundation' - the leading organisation for brain cancer research, advocacy and awareness in Australia.
God Bless
Brady Stallard