Message from Assistant Principal – Strategy and Staff
On Wednesday, 5 March, we recognise Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter. On this day, Catholics attend Mass or a service where ashes are blessed and distributed to parishioners. The ashes, made from the burned palms of the previous year's Palm Sunday, are applied to the foreheads of the faithful in the shape of a cross. As the ashes are applied, we are reminded of our own mortality with the priest or minister saying, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
As a Catholic community, I would encourage everyone to reflect on the significance of the day including:
- Repentance and Renewal: This is a time for us to reflect on our lives, repent for our sins, and seek spiritual renewal.
- Mortality Reminder: The ashes serve as a reminder of our human mortality and the need for humility before God.
- Beginning of Lent: Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a season of preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
Prayer for Ash Wednesday
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Heavenly Father,
We ask for Your grace and mercy as we seek to repent and renew our spirits. Help us to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Guide us in our efforts to grow closer to You through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. May this season of Lent be a time of deep reflection and transformation. Strengthen our faith and help us to follow the example of Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for our salvation. We pray for Your forgiveness and ask for the courage to make meaningful changes in our lives. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen. |
Opening Mass and Badging Ceremony
Our Opening Mass and Badging Ceremony was held on Tuesday, 25 February, and it was a truly wonderful event. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Rob Galea and concelebrated by Fr Troy Bobbin, our Parish Priest. Fr Rob Galea, known widely for his inspiring ministry and music, delivered a memorable homily that called us to turn to Jesus when we feel "lost in the deep," remembering always that He is with us each and every day. He also performed a beautiful rendition of "Shallow" from the movie A Star is Born, that I hope your child came home and shared with you.
Following Mass, we presented our Year 12 College Leaders and Year 11 House Leaders with their badges for their respective portfolios that they will fulfil this year. Additionally, our Year 12 students received their Year 12 badges as a sign of the leadership role they too have here at the College. Finally, our Year 7 students received their House badges, officially welcoming them as the newest members of the JPC community.
I extend a special thanks to our musicians, grounds and maintenance staff, and canteen staff for their hard work preparing for the day. I would also acknowledge our Mission and Ministry Coordinator, Ms Maria Tolfree, for her work and leadership that made the day such a resounding success.
Year 7 Camp: Wednesday, 5 – Friday, 7 March
This week, our Year 7 students depart for their Year 7 Camp down to the South Coast. This is an important part of their induction into our College and provides an opportunity to continue strengthening the positive relationships that they have been developing this year. We wish our students and staff an enjoyable three days away and look forward to hearing about their adventures when they return.
As always, there have been many other wonderful things that have occurred at JPC over the last couple of weeks. We thank all of those involved in these activities and for the collective effort to make them a success.
Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Strategy and Staff