Chaplain Pastoral
hen students leave Trinity most leave with positive feelings. Some will leave with mixed feelings. Some will be glad to walk out the gate for the last time. Trinity will definitely leave its impact. The people who make up Trinity – Principal, Teachers, Support Staff, all impact on students. Students also impact on staff. Not only school days but the whole of life is about relationships. That is why the pivotal moments of our journey, birth, marriage, death are all very much relational events.
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As a “Preacher Man” I take my cue from Jesus on how to foster relations. He was asked about the big ticket items in religion. His answer was direct and blunt. Love God, love your neighbour. That answer is a challenge for me and a charter for my work. My life must be about these two great realities and my task at Trinity is to make these challenges realistic and pressing for students and staff. Nothing will ever capture the attention or energy of anybody unless they are convinced of its value and urgency. The task is not to bully or command people to carry out these tasks. Such moral or physical pressure only persists as long as the person in charge remains in charge. Such force
does not change the heart or mindset of the other. The task is to walk together with them as they try to discover the meaning and challenge of life. I think I have the answer. They may or may not have the answer. Like Jesus it is my job to take people where they are at. The Gospels give us vivid pictures of his encounters with people of different ages, gender, religions and backgrounds. The important thing was the meeting and establishment of relationship. When this relationship and contact with Jesus becomes ongoing we call it prayer. When this relationship strives to find more about Jesus we delve into the scripture. When we struggle to energise our efforts we find strength in the Eucharist where Jesus continues to give his life for us. When we wish to expand our horizons we think of the blood of Christ poured out for us and for all. This pushes us to think outside our comfort zone and become “Men For Others”. Walking with the community of Trinity on this journey of relationships with God and others is a privilege I have as Chaplain. Father Mike McMahon SAC (Chaplain)
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