Our College value and theme this year, Hope – Bringing a sense of purpose, has shone through this last fortnight in our students at a number of events I have attended. On Monday 4 March, our Chorale members joined over 100 students from five other Kildare Ministries schools to record the song ‘Crossing New Seas – Encounter, Dream, Do’ that has been written especially for the upcoming Kildare Ministries Conference.  The chorus ‘We will cross new seas, be open to encounter, prepared to dream and always ready to do’, reflects our commitment to fostering inclusive, welcoming communities and working for peace and justice in our world.

The following morning, over 200 people gathered in the Mary Dalton Hall for our International Women’s Day Breakfast. Year 12 students, Emma Allan and Neve Lamb, both gave passionate speeches about the importance of gender equality and the women who have inspired them.  Both Emma and Neve concluded their speech with a call to action for us all:

“As a generation of inspired, educated, righteous young women, to me, it is clear that International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of not only our responsibility but the power we hold in shaping a more equitable future.

We have the resources, the education, the freedom, and the courage to spark change, start conversations and make a difference, so let us see International Women’s Day as a call to action, emphasising our opportunity to propel change and construct a future where every woman enjoys safety and equality.” 
Neve Lamb, Year 12

“We are entrusted with the responsibility to foster recognition and equality for women, and to forge new pathways for greater academic opportunity for women and girls everywhere. So please remember that when women are given opportunity, progress is made.”
Emma Allan, Year 12

Later in the week I spent some time at the Year 12 Retreat where students were actively engaged in reflecting on our core values of courage, compassion, hope, hospitality, justice and wonder, and how they will carry and live out these values throughout the year and in their lives beyond Kilbreda. It was inspiring to read the reflections they displayed around the room and witness their engagement and participation in the celebration of the Eucharist.

The students of Kilbreda and their generation do carry great responsibility for the future of our troubled world and seeing our students develop into women of strength and kindliness, who are prepared to act for peace and justice in our world, certainly gives us great hope!

Kildare Ministries Conference

As members of the Kilbreda community were advised last year, all employees of Kildare Ministries across Australia are coming together for their first national conference to be held from Monday 26 to Wednesday 27 March.  Approximately 1300 people will gather across five hubs, spread over four states, hearing from highly regarded speakers and participating in workshops to inspire our future work and help us discern the way forward. As outlined in the letter sent to families in October last year, Term 1 concludes for all students on Friday 22 March with Term 2 commencing on Monday 15 April.

I wish all members of the Kilbreda community a very happy and blessed Easter.

Prayer for International Women’s Day

Lord, make me an instrument of peace:
Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into plowshares.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love: 
We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us to see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take.

Where there is injury, pardon:
Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace.

Where there is division, unity:
Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world.

Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth:
Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment.

Where there is doubt, true faith:
We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith.

Where there is despair, hope:
We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope.

Where there is sadness, new joy:
Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men. Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people.

by Deborah Hirt, Franciscans International, 2013

We Pray For

We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:

Anthony (Tony) Fitzsimons
Father of Bill Fitzsimons (staff)

We pray that our loving God hold him gently in the palm of His hand.

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal