Chaplain

It has been a year of improvement on many fronts within the College in 2015.

Fra Oscar M Aguilera OSM Chaplain

There is a particular chapter from the Book of Ecclesiastes, one of the books from the Hebrew Testament (Old Testament), which forms parts of the Canonical Wisdom Books, where it deals with ‘time’ and how “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. Well, this year has been a bit like that!

“A time to be born and a time to die.” We have rejoiced with lots of families from our school community who have been blessed with the arrival of a new member of their families; the birth of a baby, especially a first-born, is always a beautiful, enriching and fulfilling experience. On my part, to be asked to celebrate their baptism, to be part of their life journey, is very gratifying and an honour.

On the other side of the spectrum, there have been a few unexpected deaths of members of the TC family. It is very sad to have to say goodbye to dear and loved ones. Yet, it’s a certainty in our earthly pilgrimage. I have had the privilege of being part of such an intimate and private moment in the life of families by the Anointing the Sick or by celebrating the Mass of Christian Resurrection.

“A time to plant and a time to uproot.” This was the case with the oval at the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. Not having that extra space for the students to have an outlet for their youthful energy certainly put everyone under a bit of pressure.

“A time to tear down and a time to build.” We then lost the tennis courts; the uniform shop and the parking areas – better not to go there! I am sure that once everything is done, it will be amazing.

“A time to weep and a time to laugh.” With this line from the Book of Ecclesiastes, I have to look no further than the retreats, especially Kairos – without giving anything away, there were moments of tears and moments of laughter. Traditionally, during retreats, I have had the opportunity to get to know the students on a deeper level. As always, I am amazed at the communal insight and depth that they possess. I rejoice as I see that there is hope for the future.

Junior School Presentation Night

Year 6 Graduation Mass

Edmund Rice Mass

India Pilgrimage Mass

Fra Oscar M Aguilera OSM Chaplain

“A time to grieve and a time to dance.” There have definitely been some of these moments – especially during tests and exam times. Grief, as the results were given out with some students realising that the effort that they put in wasn’t good enough, and perhaps there should have been less time on such distractions as Facebook, Internet or Xbox may have been the way to go! For other students, maybe dancing was in order, as unexpected marks were reached and goals were surpassed.

“A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.” The choosing of subjects for Year 11 is always a stressful time for Year 10 students and their families, as they ponder how the choices they make will influence their future. There is then a lot of tinkering with timetables to fit classes and classrooms. It’s like a game of chess – one move will change the whole timetable. It’s far from being an easy task.

“A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.” There have been many times when someone in the TC community needed a friend, or someone to rely on, or to have a shoulder on which to cry, or just to be reminded that, ‘we are not alone in this life journey’! At certain points parents and teachers have to let go as the students become young men, and then adults – men who can stand on their own two feet and are ready to face the world.

“A time to search and a time to give up.” The transition from Junior school to Secondary school is a time for some to search for new friendships, especially if coming from other schools, and also letting go of some old friendships as new ones are formed.

“A time to keep and a time to throw away.” This year the cupboards in the chapel were finally fixed and the rail for the hanging of the vestments was raised. Therefore, it was time to get stuck into the Sacristy. Time to sort out what was needed to be kept and what had passed its used-by date. It took a few weeks and a lot of elbow grease and now the Sacristy looks amazing and everything has a place, there is no clutter. It could be the OCD in me!

“A time to tear and a time to mend.” This year has also has given us the opportunity to revise the day of reflections, the retreats and masses, to make sure that what we are doing is working, or what needs some tinkering to make it right. I have also started to put together the slideshow Masses for the Senior School and have been helping the teachers in the Junior School with their Masses. “A time to be silent and a time to speak.” As 2015 was my second year at the College as a full-time Chaplain, I came to know the students, staff and families much better. I quickly realised that sometimes words are not required, and just being present is all that is needed! At other times words of encouragement, inspiration, praise, compassion and concern were better than silence.

“A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.” As we move towards the future, possibilities and choices are infinite.

Finally a thought from ‘The Doctor’: “It is difficult to know what will be a waste of time until after the time has been wasted, by which time it is too late. So predicting what will be a waste of time is something of a waste of time, unless it gives you pleasure, of course, when it probably doesn’t count as a waste of time.”