Chaplain

Fra Oscar Aguilera Osm Chaplain

People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint – it’s more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly … timey wimey … stuff.” The Doctor

Well, what can I say, The Doctor was right! Another year has passed us by! So much has happened – I need to look at the iCal.

You may not be aware, but school starts before the students even get to school. For some lucky ones, who have taken the words of Trinity’s mantra Men for Others to heart, we have a few days of leadership and training! Students Leaders and the Special Ministers of the Eucharist are the first faces we see, after the distance and fading summer holiday, as we get ready for the new school year. As the staff of the College come together on the first day for Professional Development, it is always very interesting to see who has changed name by marriage, given birth to a child, just returned after long service leave or to meet the new members of the TC family. It is a special time for sharing stories, photocopying and getting back into the ‘caffeine intake’ routine.

After that, it all becomes very blurry, as the speed seems to increase very fast and ‘blinking’ can be very dangerous – yes, I know another quote from you-know-‘Who’”. Between all the different retreats, liturgies, meetings and chats involving the Junior School or Senior School, the year just seems to run away!

A recurrent event for me this year was finding a place that I could call home – a new office! This time around, the office was in the Junior School, and my new neighbour was Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Sandra Doick. We were separated by a single thin wall and we also shared the light switch, which was on her side of the wall, so most of the time, I left this task to her.

Coming up every year with a report is not easy, as it seems that I am retelling the same story over and over again. Personally, this last year has been a real roller-coaster, with lots of ups and also a big share of downs.

Edmund Rice Mass

As Christians and followers of Christ, we believe that this life is not an end. It is just a transition before we come to meet our Lord Jesus. The reason I write this is because in the last 12 months I have lost an older sister to cancer, and in our TC family, cancer has touched many of us in many different ways.

… I find myself in the oncology ward at SCGH, on the feast of the Evangelist Saint Luke, who happens to be the Patron Saint for Physicians and Artists. I am sitting next to my younger sister as she begins her second time round of chemo, as her cancer has returned. I offer to God my silent prayer, not only her, but for all who suffer the pains of illness and also for those loved ones keeping vigil close to them.

People ask me what do I do in my ministry at school. The answer is simple: being present. The words of Jesus echo in my head “do not be afraid, I shall be with you ‘til the end of time”. That is why I continue to live every day – day in and day out, with the knowledge that He is with us!

God Bless.

Fra Oscar Aguilera Osm Chaplain

Mothers Day Morning Tea

Junior School Prefects Mass and Morning Tea