APRE NEWS 

We are down to 1 week to go for the Semester!  There’s plenty of tired faces getting around school (students and staff).  As I reminded students at our mini-assemblies today, this term has certainly been like no other, but on the whole, I think their adaptability and open-ness to change has been commendable.

World Refugee Week

“For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share”

These words no doubt ring true to many Australians and are relevant this week as it is the celebration of ‘Refugee Week’, culminating in World Refugee Day on June 20 (Saturday).  The idea behind the week is to inform the public about refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.  The key values we celebrate as a school of Love and Community, as well as the work that our Parish does for the refugee community marks this as a poignant time for our community, where we can provide a platform of positive images to create a culture of welcome throughout our country.  I have come across a resource page provided by the Refugee Week organisation which you might like to look at or share among your family https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-resources/. 

 I know Fr Dave and our Parish regularly ask for donations and provide support  to Refugee families.  The Townsville Multicultural Support Group (TMSG), also do great work in our community and have come into our school and spoken to students about the work they do before.  If you have something you think you could contribute or help with, please don’t hesitate to contact either! 

St Benedict’s Feast Day

I’ve already noticed some students rehearsing at lunchtime for ‘Benny’s Got Talent’.  Auditions will be held for some students next week, with successful students being notified before the holidays to give them time to prepare ready to ‘WOW’ us all on Feast Day, Friday 17th July.  

Contemplative Corner 

Praying with a saying or mantra

Over the years, people have found using a saying or mantra helpful in deepening their own spiritual pathways.  Every person has different sayings or mantras to enrich their prayer experience and relationship with God.  The idea is that through certain sayings and mantras, we may be transformed by God’s love in us.  I have included a number of these below, or you might have your own.  

Find a quiet place or a quiet time, and keep these thoughts in your head and contemplate, how have they allowed you to be transformed? 

• For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:21)
• Knock and the door will be opened for you.  (Matthew 7:7)
• But Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11)
• It is better to light a single candle than curse the darkness. (Proverb)
• If the only prayer you say in your entire life is, ‘Thank you’, that would suffice (Meister Eckhart)
• God’s first language is silence.  Everything else is a translation.  (Thomas Keating)