CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK CELEBRATIONS

The theme this year for our special Catholic Education Week of celebration is Opening Doors in the Year of Mercy. The week provides a unique opportunity for 300 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and give thanks for God’s continued blessing on staff, students and families. This is a chance to recognise the inspiring work done by more than 19,000 staff in Catholic schools throughout the state, as they focus on the education of the whole student.

This Year of Mercy compels us to move throughout the world to serve others with love and commitment – Opening Doors for new beginnings and connections. Each day our students are invited to show the gift of Gratitude to God for something in their life. Often we can be grateful for another person’s act of Mercy towards us. Mercy is life giving and restores our friendships with each other and with God.

Our Year 4 students led us this week at Assembly encouraging us to open doors to new ways of relating and accepting others. The Year of Mercy has challenged us to embrace and accept others through the Work and Welcome programme which helps refugees find a job and to establish a new life in Australia. Working along with the Parish and St Rita’s College on this Work and Welcome project will ensure our students see Mercy in action in their lives. Opening this door for someone less fortunate than themselves will promote the values of equal respect and dignity for all of God’s family.

The Year of Mercy has also provided the framework for a wonderful opportunity for one of our Prep teachers to celebrate Catholic Education Week at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. The WYD Pilgrims will be celebrating the Eucharist with Pope Francis in the Field of Mercy later this week and this will be a blessing on so many young people who have received the gift of a Catholic School education.

Many of us have completed our schooling within the culture of a Catholic School. Perhaps we could offer our own prayer of gratitude to God this week for this gift of Catholic Identity that our parents and teachers handed on to us. May we continue with a growth mindset to share Mercy and compassion in our communities and to know that God is always with us. “Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love: it is like giving life.” Pope Francis.

Carol Sayers
Principal
St Agatha’s Primary School