03 NOV 2021 Faith and Community

Faith and Community

Life is full of hellos and goodbyes, and we are reminded the Sacred is always with us, through it all.

Hellos, goodbyes, saints, and souls….

It was wonderful to see our community back on site for term four and to feel the joy of being together once again. Acknowledging that there are a range of emotions we are all experiencing during this time, we can see the joy in each other’s eyes as we reconnect again in person, and we can feel the human need for connection.

Amid saying hello, we have been preparing to farewell the Graduating class of 2021. Mass was held online once again this year and we are grateful to Fr Dishan for celebrating this liturgy for us once again. Emily Tam, our vocal coach and choir leader at Kolbe, was our cantor and Veron Hana, Faith Captain, was the minister of the word. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way to ensure that this celebration was a significant milestone in the lives of the Year 12 class. We continue to pray for the Year 12 students as the study for and sit their exams and we hope that they always remember that they will always belong here and that they are loved and cherished members of the Kolbe family.

There is no doubt that the past two years have stretched us in ways we never imagined. But through it all, God has been with us. I have been drawn to a new hymn from Bethel music, titled, “It is Well.” There is also a beautiful older version of this hymn.

The lyrics,

And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And through it all, through it all
It is well
And through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
And it is well, with me

have helped me navigate life as I look to God in my life and remember…. remember the strength, the love, the hope, and the promise of God to never leave us and to be with us through it all. And God comes to us in many forms. At Kolbe we have witnessed the Sacred through the care and compassion for each other time and time again. Students checking up on friends, staff caring for each other in a variety of ways, concern for the members of our community doing it tough, teachers supporting students and students showing gratitude for staff. These everyday occurrences are all signs the Sacred is here with us now and that the Holy Spirit is present with us, working through each member of our community.

November the first and second are significant Feast Days in the Catholic Church as we celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day. What do these days mean for us in our context? We are all called to be saints. This can mean that we are called to be the best versions of ourselves. To use our unique talents for the betterment of the world and those around us. We look to the saints to guide us and inspire us as they were humans who tried to do this and who continually came back to the understanding that, God is with us!

All Souls Day is a chance to remember all our loved ones who have entered eternal life, especially in the past year. In November the month of remembering and memorial, we pray for everyone in our community who has been affected by death this year. We pray that they feel the comfort of the Sacred through the love and care of others and the deep faith which calls us to resurrection.

Hellos, goodbyes, saints, and souls…

Our prayer for the year 12 students is that they have many hellos in their lives and that their time at Kolbe has put them in good stead to become saints in their own unique way, always praying for the many souls who have gone before them and remembering to keep their eyes on God through it all. The journey of life is amazing and a wonderful, mysterious gift. I leave you with the scripture quote chosen by this year’s graduating class to be embroidered inside their varsity jackets,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

Take care everyone and stay hopeful as we can see Advent approaching.

Many blessings,

Caith Malone
Director of Faith and Community