Dear parents, friends, staff and students,

This weekend’s first reading contains a phrase which I have always considered pivotal to our mission as Catholics. The phrase, from the prophet Isiah, 45 is;

“I have called you by your name”.

Whilst this at first glance appears very basic, it gives us a self-value and a clear direction that might assist us in considering how we live our lives. The phrase helps us to grow in the knowledge that each one of us has a unique and special place in God’s creation. We are each called individually by a God that knows us individually. The quote however, begs the question; what we have been called for? As Catholics, we often talk about the Kingdom of God and as I have suggested in previous newsletters, this kingdom is not in a distant land or a faraway time, it is here and it is now. We should be living in a way that brings about God’s kingdom in Australia in 2020. Knowing that we have been specifically called to do God’s work, may help us to discern what we need to do.

On Friday, we specifically challenged a number of our Year 10 students to live this mission through their appointment as the Mount Carmel Catholic College Youth Ministry Leaders for 2021. We held a small (COVID safe) ceremony which was broadcast to the other Year 10 students where these students were acknowledged and badged. I congratulate these students on their appointment to this role and encourage them to help others know that God has ‘called them by name’.

This week our HSC students commenced their final examinations. So far, the students have responded to the challenges of the exams well, even though a few nerves have come through. I take this opportunity to state that we are very proud of what the students have achieved in a difficult year and I thank their teachers for all the hard work they have put on over the last six years whilst they attended Mount Carmel.

Next Friday (Oct 30) is World Teacher’s Day. This has been endorsed by Catholic Education in Wollongong (CEDoW) and NESA (just to name our two direct authorities) and many others. I encourage all parents and students to acknowledge our teachers for all the wonderful work they do and have done throughout the pandemic this year. We are fortunate to have very good people and congratulate them in a similar way to the congratulations we gave to our support staff earlier this year. Please feel free to send messages of congratulations or thanks to the teachers who do such valuable work with your children.

Last week I invited students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. For those who have not yet had a chance to complete this survey, you can access it through the link;       www.tellthemfromme.com/mcv20

It would be great to have as many parents feedback to us through this survey as possible. The survey closes next Friday (October 30).

An early reminder that our last Parents and Friend’s meeting for 2020 will be held via zoom on Tuesday November 10 (Week 5). The link will be included in upcoming newsletters.

Over the past few months, Bishop Brian has been celebrating Sunday Mass and livestreaming it. These Masses each Sunday and can be accessed here.

Mr Steve Lo Cascio