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Lord Jesus,
When the burden of grief is heavy, help lighten our load and lift our spirits.
When despair darkens our horizon, shine forth your light and lead the way.
When our heart feels broken, Lord, comfort us and hold us in your embrace.
When we rage against, the injustice of loss, channel this power into all that is good.
When sorrow surrounds us, wrap us in hope that we may endure.
When we are overwhelmed in the dark of night, may the breaking of dawn bring peace.
For we know, O Lord, our God, that you hear our cries for help, and so we ask you to turn our mourning into dancing, to take away our sadness and to clothe us with joy.
And continue to stand beside us as we remember those we have loved whom have departed this world.
Amen
November is the Month of Remembrance in the Catholic Church beginning with All Saints Day on the 1st of November, followed by All Souls Day on the 2nd of November. During this month, Catholics all over the world pray for those who have departed. I encourage you to do the same, find some time to pray for those who have passed and you especially hold in your hearts.
Pope Francis declared October 27 a day of prayer and fasting for peace. I would like to share his words with you as our global community is faced with war and violence.
“I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not in words — in prayer, with total dedication.” Pope Francis, 2023.
As we begin to prepare for Advent, we take this opportunity to look back over Term 4, 2023.
Our Year 12 students are nearing the end of their examination period, however, this important time was preceded by a Mass and Graduation ceremony. On Friday the 13th of October, our Year 12 students were joined by friends and family for their final Mass as a student of Kolbe Catholic College. Fr. Dishan of Church of the Good Shepherd, Gladstone Park presided over this important mass, celebrating the conclusion of six years of education here at Kolbe.
On Friday the 3rd of November, six of our Year 8 students travelled to MacKillop Family Services as part of a leadership day with a focus on social justice. We joined a few other Catholic schools, a great opportunity for our students to chat with fellow students from other schools as well as develop their leadership skills and understanding of social justice.
Remembrance Day is acknowledged on the 11th of November, but as this falls on a Saturday, we recognised this on Friday during Pastoral Care. I would also like to commend our new 2023/24 Faith Captain, Walter Ferrao and Community Captain, Ethan Facciol, who led the ceremony for our college community.
Finally, we look forward to the events that will conclude our academic year. Our Year 11s will celebrate Mass together on Thursday the 23rd of November, having completed their examinations and Pre Start Program for 2024. The Year 7-9 students will join together for an Advent liturgy on Wednesday the 6th of December, an opportune moment to pause, reflect and prepare for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Rob Dellar
Director of Faith and Community
