“For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart” Luke 6:45

This Wednesday we begin the journey toward Easter. This period starts with our reflection on our own mortality at Ash Wednesday where we hear one of the phrases: “Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel” or “remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. We are not reminded of this mortality however as a warning or in a negative way, but as an opportunity to grow and improve ourselves. The turning away from sin is something that we can do immediately and we can replace these thoughts and actions with positive gospel values such as hope, peace, love and service. The gospel constantly reminds us of these things and challenges us to live better lives. Luke’s quote above from this Sunday’s gospel reminds us that truly moving toward God is not just about saying the right words or simply attending ceremonies. It is about holding what we believe within our hearts and ensuring that our actions and behaviours come from the heart. The belief in the gospel is the faith component and the turning away from sin is the behavioural component. Luke was asking us to ensure that these two matched and that what we say and what we do are the same thing.

Year 7, 2023 Information evening next Monday

This Monday evening, we will be hosting our Year 7, 2023 Information evening. This year it will be slightly different to the past to enable us to ensure health concerns are considered and reduce crowding where possible. The evening will run from 6 – 8 pm and visitors will be able to view subject displays in various locations around the College. Enrolment packages will be available for collection at any stage during this time and will be distributed from the area outside the LaValla Centre. At 7 pm, there will be a short 30-minute presentation by members of the College Leadership Team outlining some of the mission and structures of the College and can be attended by anyone who wishes to hear this. This is a valuable opportunity for both prospective students and parents to hear about, and see, the College. Whilst all parents and students who are considering Mount Carmel for enrolment next year are welcome, it is not essential for siblings of current students to attend the evening. Enrolment packages for current families can be collected from the College office at any point from Monday. These will be available to parents who wish to collect them and will also be given to current students to take home upon request. We will ask for the name and school of the enrolling student so we can reduce multiple packages being given for the same student. Completed enrolment packages should be returned by 2pm on Friday April 8 (the last day of Term 1). 

Next Friday we will hold the second of our half-college Opening Year Masses. This mass will involve Year 7, 10 and 12 and will be followed by the badging of our Year 12 students, SRC and Year 10 leaders. The Opening Mass is an important way for the College community to come together and to celebrate as one. The decision to include Year 7 in this mass rather than last week was to join our oldest and youngest group at the one time to highlight the nature of one community even though we could not join fully as a college. We are honoured to have Mr Peter Hill, the Director of Education, Diocese of Wollongong, at this event and sharing in our liturgical celebration. We hope to have a few photos of this in next week’s newsletter. 

Please be advised that the P&F AGM will now be held on Tuesday March 8 (week 6). This meeting will thank the outgoing P&F executive and elect the executive for 2022 and will then be followed by the first general meeting for 2022. I encourage parents to attend this meeting and to become involved in the Parents and Friends Association. The meeting will be onsite and begin at 7pm in Room I3 (the front of the College at the top of the turning circle).

Ite in Veritate