Magdalene Shines

Great news, Magdalene Shines will be back in 2021!

Please pencil in the following date of Thursday June 3 for the College’s spectacular Performing Arts Night, an event which will include dance, song, music and various student acts. Although there will be limited time to prepare, our Year 12s will also have a Year 12 Performance which they will share on the evening.

The venue (for the last time) will be Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville. We are very appreciative of Mount Carmel’s support over the years but from 2022 onwards we will be able to have our own event at our own College Hall.

More details about Magdalene Shines 2021, including ticketing, will be provided in the coming weeks.

College Hall and Year 12 Student Car Park

While inclement weather last term has caused a few delays, the Hall is progressing very well and some of the walls have now been put into position.

The student car park has had a few more delays but we remain hopeful that this will be completed in the coming weeks.

ANZAC DAY

With COVID-19 regulations continuing to complicate many of our annual traditions, I encourage families to be as involved as much as they can this ANZAC Day. This may look like a simple commemoration on your curbside or actually taking part in local ANZAC ceremonies or commemorations.

Being an avid historian, ANZAC Day, as I’m sure it does for most of us, holds a very special place in my heart. It is critical that we give gratitude to those who did and/or continue to serve in our nation’s military – whether they were/are involved in active military or peacekeeping services.

I thought it was worthwhile including an extract from a recent article written by David Robinson in which he, as a religious person, comments on how he over the years has struggled to regard ANZAC Day:

“I cannot use ANZAC day as a day to celebrate war or paint it as a glorious thing as some almost seem to want to do.

Yet on the other hand there is no escaping the fact that at times human evil becomes so unrestrained that we have no choice but to stand up to it.

Who, for instance, could argue that what Hitler was doing could be simply be allowed to continue?

So as I consider ANZAC day I feel torn. I feel torn between my distaste for war and my desire to remember with gratitude those who gave of themselves in times when conflict became necessary.

I find myself wondering how I can speak of war in a way that recognises its horrors and the death and suffering it causes while also not wanting to disparage the many people who I am certain have willingly gone to war for the right reasons.

No words no words have helped me process the tension which I feel around ANZAC day than "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." These words were uttered by Jesus and you will find them emblazoned across many war memorials and grave stones. They speak to the actions of Jesus which motivated many people throughout history in times both of peace and of war.

Jesus' words show us that evil must be dealt with…

Yet the wider context in which he spoke those words reminds me that Jesus did what no one of us could ever do. He came not merely to restrain evil, as war might do for a time, but to defeat it.

These words have enabled me hold together the mixed feelings I have about ANZAC day.

As Jesus was willing to give of himself, even to the point of death, to save us from evil, I can be thankful when others are willing to follow that example.

While I mourn the necessity of war, I can use ANZAC day as an opportunity to pay thankful recognition to those who have been willing to endure it to stand up to genuine evil.”

And so it is, I hope we too show and feel considerable thanks and gratitude for the efforts of all the servicemen and servicewomen who have been involved in Australia’s military in no matter what capacity.

ANZAC Day will be commemorated on Tuesday at Magdalene as part of our College Assembly. I continue to be incredibly impressed with the ever growing numbers that are added to our College ANZAC Honour Roll each year (please see our College website).

ROAD SAFETY

Once again, the College has attached to the end of this newsletter reminders from Camden Council regarding Road Safety in and around our College grounds.

Obviously, driving or parking near or within a school zone, (or even being a pedestrian) necessitates great care and/or attention. The safety of all of our community members rests on this. We also ask for civility, common courtesy and patience from drivers awaiting to pick up their children. Additional building on the College site has made conditions even more cramped and hectic than usual, so please familiarise with the guidance provided from the Council.

Patrols from local Police during drop off and pick up times will continue throughout the year.

PRAYER FOR ANZAC DAY

Gracious and loving God,

The cross of Christ is the sign of your desire for justice and peace for all.

Open our minds to your vision as we remember all who suffered through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Grant all servicepersons who sacrificed health and life for the good of all, the gift of your deep peace.

May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought become instruments of your peace in our homes, workplaces and world.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.

• Amen

[Prayer Courtesy of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland Newcastle]