Mission Report – February 2, 2018

For 125 years St Patrick’s College has welcomed young men and their families through the front gates. In this special year may I extend a warm welcome to our new families and our returning families. Together we take up the responsibility of ensuring that our students grow in faith, hope and love. For though we are guided by 125 years of traditions and practice, each year presents its unique challenges to be faced. Each year the new faces in turn renew the face of the College with their gifts and generosity.-

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition we are guided by our Touchstones.

• Gospel spiritualty

• Liberating education

• Inclusive community

• Justice and solidarity

In 2018 we shall have a special focus on Justice and Solidarity. From our Charter we read:

We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection-¦ (St Patrick’s strives to) develop a curriculum that integrates the themes of justice and peace, underpinned by Catholic social teaching.

The Catholic understanding of justice and solidary begins in recognising and promoting the dignity of every person. This dignity is a free gift from God’s unbounded love for each one of us. Because of its divine source no-one can take away the dignity of another person. Our challenge is to always act in the knowledge of the dignity of everyone we encounter. Our year began in prayer at our first Headmaster’s Assembly. In sharing our prayers of intercessions from that assembly, may we all be united in our desire to share in the life of Jesus Christ, and share it to the full (cf John 10:10).

Lord Jesus, may we work together for a liberating education -“ may all our experiences be hope-filled and freed from prejudice. Loving God, we pray to you. All: Lord, help us grow in trust and love- – – –

Lord Jesus, fill us with the joy of the Gospel -“ may our friendship with you deepen, so that our actions and words may proclaim the love of God. Loving God, we pray to you. All: Lord, help us grow in trust and love- – – –

Lord Jesus, help us to grow as an inclusive community -“ may our relationships endure in truth, goodness and the beauty of friendship. Loving God, we pray to you. All: Lord, help us grow in trust and love- – – –

Lord Jesus, strengthen in us the desire to work for justice and solidarity -“ may we see the needs of others and respond without limit. Loving God, we pray to you. All: Lord, help us grow in trust and love- – – –

We pray for the silent intentions of our hearts. Loving God, we pray to you.- All: Lord, help us grow in trust and love- – – –

Dear God, please accept the prayers we make with sincere hearts in the name of Jesus.- ALL: Amen