Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of friendship, for those people around me who support me and share in both my sorrows and celebrations. I pray that my friendships only grow in love and respect, that we may flourish together in our faith and understanding. Teach me to become a better friend, showing love to my friends even in times of adversity. Please Lord, guide my friends in their lives so that they may be in communion with you, blessing them through your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on them and keep them under your protection.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

From: ACU Book of Prayer (2021, p.20)

During the last week I have had two distinct personal occasions to reflect on the value of friendship. The first was reading an article about Pope Leo and an address he gave to Augustinian educational leaders more than a decade ago, where he spoke about the values of a Catholic school. One of these values is community, and the benefit that we derive from sharing our gifts with others, for the good of the community.

From our community we spark the opportunity for the development of friendships. Often, our schools are places where enduring friendships are forged. Naturally, for some students, this is easier than for others. We are reminded that we need to spend time with each other, to be in the company of others without an agenda, so that we might develop quality friendships. Friends help us know ourselves better.

Friends also help us become better people. Sometimes they keep us in check and help us modify our behaviour and/or our language, and they might just tell us to figuratively pull our heads in because they care about us! Good friends are honest with us. They are a confidante, a social outlet, and people in whom we confide our most intimate thoughts, dreams, and even our fears. Friends also turn up when the going gets tough. They do not abandon us when we are not at our best. They provide solace, company, and comfort.

The second occasion that led me to reflect on the friends, was a series of texts with a mate who is planning to come and visit me. His thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me. He always lets it begin with him and will take the initiative to ring me every single week. For the planned visit, he has suggested we go for a bike ride, even offering to bring my bike from Sydney with him. Friends make plans and keep them!

I consider myself fortunate to have some good friends. They sustain me and make my social life engaging to say the least. Friends listen to us, and we return this investment because reciprocity is one of the ingredients that make a sustaining friendship.

Professor and author Jonathan Haidt suggests that social scientists have identified at least three major forces that bind together successful democracies. They are social capital (extensive social networks with high levels of trust), strong institutions, and shared stories. With a robust friendship group, we get the bonds of a tight social network, and we certainly share stories. Our institutions (in this case our schools) are vital for the forging of lifelong, life-giving relationships and friendships.

I am sure that as an Augustine priest, Pope Leo values the gift of friendship. Of course, our relationship with the person of Jesus is the most precious friendship we can all enjoy. We must “waste time” with Jesus, so that we might know him more, love him more, and seek to be more like him.

May the coming holiday break be a time for our young people to enjoy the company of good friends. Stay safe until next term.

Students will recommence on Tuesday 14 October in summer uniform.

Dr Craig Wattam
Principal