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Volume 23 - 4 August, 2015 Dear Parents and Students
There are many things to celebrate and people to acknowledge when I reflect on last week. Firstly, can I thank the hundreds of parents and students who attended Interview Day on Tuesday and acknowledge the work of teachers, many of whom had over 60 interviews. Effective partnerships between parents and teachers is fundamental to Catholic education and to creating strong and supportive environments for our students. Our Semester 2 Mass, scheduled for Thursday, became a Communion Service when Fr Paul Sirah was called away to attend the funeral of his brother Carmelite, Fr Frank Shortis. I would like to acknowledge Mr Kieran Donnelly for his care and skill in adapting the liturgy that had been prepared. Year 12 students led the Service with poise and reverence and four girls from Year 7 reflected on the readings. All these students appeared to have been rehearsing for weeks when, in reality, their preparation had begun the previous day! I would like to share the first reading from this liturgy and some of the reflections of our Year 7s. 1
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43: 1-4
We think the message of the first reading is that God loves us, cares for us and will always be there for us. One of the lines in the reading is “I have called you by name, you are mine”. To have God single us out from everyone else in the world is a special feeling because He believes in us to do good and do it well.
We think the message of the first reading is that God knows you, loves you, protects you and is with you. The reading says “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; … when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned”. This is God promising to protect you from all harm, to be with you always and to support you in all your endeavours. At the end of the day, God will always love, protect and respect us. Zoe Henman, Ciara Ritchie, Nina Moore & Chloe Lloyd
We were joined for the Service by past pupils who graduated 50 or more years ago. On behalf of the College, I thank them for their attendance, for chatting with our Year 8 students about their days at Loreto, and for sharing their stories and friendship. It is a great pleasure to have these wonderful women join us each year.
Justice
Freedom
VERITY
Sincerity
Felicity