Introduction
A common and recurring request from many students and staff at the College is, "Can you explain the customs and traditions of our Catholic events and rituals?" While some members of our College community are familiar with the Catholic Church and may attend Mass in a local parish, many others are new to being part of a faith community and have many questions. In today’s newsletter, and in those to come, I will begin to unpack some frequently asked questions and, hopefully, provide a "Catholics 101" guide! So, let’s start from the beginning by defining religion and exploring what we know about God.
Religion can generally be understood as a relationship with what is divine (divine meaning something related to God). A religious person acknowledges something divine as the power that created them and the world.
So, what do we know about God? When we speak of God, we must keep in mind that we naturally perceive God through our human lens and limited notions. Therefore, everything we say about God comes with the understanding that our language cannot fully capture God’s greatness. What we do know about God is through the example of Jesus, which is a radical call to social justice, inclusivity, humility, forgiveness, peace, love of neighbour, and personal transformation.
Rock legend Nick Cave recently appeared on ABC’s Australian Story, where he shared deeply personal insights about the grief of losing his sons and his lifelong interest in religion. Cave described grief as a "void" that filled him with "more compassion towards the human predicament" and made him "less embittered." Reflecting on religion, he said, "I’ve always had a religious temperament, even as a child, but never felt the need for it." He added, "And I think after Arthur died—not immediately, but over time—instead of feeling anger or rejecting those beliefs, I felt a gradual movement towards a religious life that I’ve found extremely helpful." To see the full interview, click here.
Catholic Identity News
After a long hiatus due to COVID, the College is pleased to announce the return of our Immersion Programme for 2025. This programme is available to Year 11 students (2025) and aims to immerse them in another culture. The College will be partnering with Catholic Mission to offer two immersion experiences in Thailand in June/July 2025. More information will be shared with our College community in the coming weeks.
We have a busy period ahead for students involved in Youth Ministry at the College. This year, students in Years 7-12 can choose to participate in either Game Changers or Terra Tomodachi.
Song - Joy by Nick Cave
Nick Cave has lost two children in the span of seven years. Grappling with overwhelming grief, Cave’s music on his new album Wild God explores how his beliefs and identity have been forever changed. Immersed in spiritual themes, religious imagery, and allegorical storytelling, his song "Joy" reveals Cave at his most vulnerable.
Book
An author I find myself returning to often is Richard Rohr. Father Richard is a Franciscan friar and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. His book Falling Upward has recently been revised and updated with a forward by Brene Brown, an American professor, social worker, author, and podcast host. Rohr’s books give an honest and challenging perspective to living in right relationship with God. If you are new to spiritual literature, Richard Rohr is a great place to start. Rohr recently appeared on Brene Brown’s Podcast ‘Unlocking Us’.
Jason Guiliani
Deputy Principal Catholic Identity