Wow! As we reach the end of another busy week at St Benedict’s and take another breath, I reflect on what a magnificent year of 'firsts’ that we are having! This week saw the celebration of our first St Benedict's Feast Day!

The official feast day is actually July 11, but due to a full calendar, we decided to hold our celebrations this week to mark the start of Catholic Education week. It was wonderful to start the day with another first, our first school mass. Unfortunately, Fr Dave is away on a well earnt holiday, but we were fortunate to have Fr Terry Lyons celebrate mass with us in our eucharistic celebration of St Benedict. It was wonderful to have our friends from the Kindy come over and celebrate mass with us as well, and may I add how beautifully behaved they were!

During the middle session the students got to participate in a range of activities which helped them to learn more about St Benedict, contemplative practices and our Benedictine charism. A big thanks must go to Mary McCaulife from the St Vincent de Paul Society who came in and shared with the students a little about what the society does, particularly in the area of youth homelessness.  This enabled students to see how people in our community show a love of Christ and neighbour, and maybe inspire them to help where they can!

On Tuesday I was able to take a group of students to the statewide launch of Catholic Education Week held at St Anthony’s, Deeragun. Our students had the opportunity to be a part of the opening and closing procession of the mass. I received many comments from other attendees about what a wonderful job they did, and we can all be very proud of them. It was wonderful to be a part of an event that truly celebrates the spirit of Catholic Education and to hear of all the wonderful things that are happening in Catholic schools both in our diocese and around the state! Bishop Tim allowed himself to show some  bias and spoke of the great things happening in the Catholic schools within the Townsville Diocese. I will also speak with some bias and say what a wonderful job our little school is already doing, and also how lucky we are to be a part of the 'Catholic school difference’.

Have a great week and God bless,

Nick