The Year 12 Student leaders gathered with Bishop Brian Mascord on Wednesday for Lunch and a Conversation. This proved to be an engaging, enjoyable, and enlightening experience. It was a very relaxed environment, where we were able to engage in casual conversations with Bishop Brian; Peter Hill, the Director of Catholic Education Wollongong, Mr Ken Bryant, Mr John Lo Cascio, and Mrs Cathy Brown, as well as the College Leadership team. 

The members of the SRC were able to enjoy a lunch shared with our guests, as well as participate in open discussions regarding how recent world affairs have impacted us as students, our studies, our relationships and our community as a whole.

Following lunch we sat together with Bishop Brian who commenced the conversation with a prayer that reflected the current times. The Bishop made us feel at ease, allowing us to converse with him on a spiritual and personal level. We were able to see him in a different light, that is, rather than being a figure conducting a mass, we were able to speak with him as an individual, gaining a greater appreciation and understanding for who he is and what he represents to the wider community. His personality was warm and accepting, giving off a sense of genuine positivity, love, faithfulness, and kindness. It was an incredible privilege to be in his presence, learning and listening to the words of wisdom he had to offer.

Even in the midst of the current times we live in, the tragedy of the bushfires, the ongoing global pandemic, the more recent protests pervading the world as a whole, the Bishop showed us how even when the world seems like it’s falling apart, there are still opportunities to show gratitude and appreciation for the things we have and the people we’re surrounded by. During isolation, families were forced to stay at home, leading them to rediscover and learn more about one another, as well as ultimately growing closer with each other. For us, we saw this as epitomising Bishop Mascord’s motto, “For all things give thanks”, and exemplifying the Marist Characteristics that are at the centre of our school’s values and beliefs.