“There is a variety of gifts, but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; Working in all sorts of different ways, in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them”. 1 Corinthians: 4-6

This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. This was the moment when the apostles felt scared and uncertain after the ascension of Jesus. The apostles had been through the excitement and energy of Palm Sunday, the sadness and depression of the Crucifixion of Christ, followed by the power of the resurrection of Jesus then to be hit by a sense of aloneness after Jesus’ ascended. This rollercoaster had left them fearful and huddle together in a room wondering what to do next.

Pentecost is often represented in art with a flame settling above the heads of the apostles. This representation links to Christ being the light of the world and our path through the darkness. The flame settling on the apostles can also be seen to represent a sudden understanding of their path forward. We often use the expression that someone has ‘seen the light’ and in modern cartoons, this sudden understanding is also represented by a light globe appearing above the character’s head. This sudden understanding that the apostles felt gave them the strength and energy to go out and use their talents in the name of God. As the above quote suggests, each of us have different gifts and talents and we all use these in different ways but always in the service of the Lord. I would assume that with that sudden understanding, also came a great sense of relief. This relief is reinforced in the simple quote from Jesus in the Gospel of St John

“Peace be with you!” John 20:19

Over the last year or so, we have been sending our newsletters out electronically using the Schoolzine app. There has been some very good feedback and we have used the newsletter to continue regular communications with our broader community. I became aware a few days ago that many parents may not have been receiving the newsletter as they had not subscribed to the app. This has meant that much of our processes around ensuring safety and procedures relating to the Coronavirus have not been getting to some parents. I have asked today, for the next few weeks at least, for the newsletters to also be sent out through Compass. This form of communication is essential and I ask for anyone who has not subscribed to schoolzine to please take up this option. The instructions on how to do this are here.

Thank you once again for your flexibility and support with our students return to full time face to face learning. I have been outside a number of mornings this week watching student’s return and many have expressed their happiness to be back at school. I once again would like to publicly thank the staff for the enormous work that goes into ensuring effective teaching and supports in the face of so much uncertainty. Their dedication and determination to provide opportunities for excellence for your children has been exemplary.

As a result of Coronavirus restrictions, public masses have been cancelled around the country Bishop Brian Mascord has launched a YouTube channel where the faithful can watch him celebrate mass with us, and on our behalf. The link to this mass is here. Please log into this site each weekend and join Bishop Brian online for the celebration of the Eucharist.

Mr Steve Lo Cascio