“For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favourably.” Gen. 33:10

What an incredible blessing to come together as a community to welcome our new Year 7 students and families to Kilbreda College for their Welcome Eucharist. Our sincere thanks to all our Homeroom teachers for attending and walking with our young people in their first steps on this journey. Of course, special thanks to Carole Downie for all her preparation of the Mass and Kara-Lee Rabbetts for organising and leading the beautiful hymns and singing.

This was yet again another example of the lived expression of our core value of Hospitality. The Brigidines in their writings sum up perfectly our call to hospitality in all its forms:

“Hospitality that is a reflection of the hospitality of God is a hallmark of the Brigidine spiritual tradition. Jesus’ words, “I was hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, a stranger…” (Matthew 25), impel us to create a community marked by welcome, inclusion and respect. A deep commitment to inclusion challenges us to look more closely at those we invite to our tables. Practising the hospitality of God is risky and may make us feel uncomfortable; it also calls us to question and change the social structures of exclusion.” https://brigidine.org.au/our-focus/spirituality/

Lent and Caritas

Our Lenten journey begins on 5 March. Carole Downie has been working hard organising all that we need for Ash Wednesday liturigies for the school. More information will follow closer to the date.

Importantly, the Catholic Identity and Mission Team have identified Caritas Australia fundraising as a priority for our community during Lent this year. Our amazing Living Justice Leaders have begun planning bigger and better education and fundraising initiatives for this year. Please keep these initiatives at the forefront of your mind during Lent.

Year 12 Retreat

The students are looking forward to their Year 12 Retreat on 5 to 8 March. A big shout out to Trish Moloney and Bill Fitzsimons for their organisational work to ensure that the Retreat is the amazing experience it has been for generations of Year 12 students.

Ecological Justice

The wonderful Sarah Avitable and Emily Aherne, with their student leaders, have been busy strategically planning the next steps on our journey of sustainability ensuring they are embedded in the Laudato Si goals.

John Riddle

Director of Catholic Identity and Mission

Head of Counselling Services