From the APRIM
Dear Families,
Recently I ordered some resources online for the school. Instantly, I received an email thanking me for my order, then another to say that it is being processed, then another to tell me that the previous email was not an invoice but this one was. A few days later, another email arrived in my inbox to tell me my package was on the way, and would I like to track it? To track it, I had to download an app, open an account, and submit yet another password. I gave up! Eventually the parcel was delivered (along with an email to tell me that it had been delivered) and then another to ask if I was happy with the delivery service. Enough already! There are days when my inbox is bombarded with messages, and I must admit that I am not always feeling charitable as I wade my way through them.
Technology has been a blessing but also has its drawbacks. But… perhaps instead of whinging, I could think of the person at the other end of the email who is working from home, isolated from colleagues or the person who has found this IT job to format the program to send the emails, having lost their preferred job during the pandemic. I could think about the dear soul who clicks ‘reply all’ to say thank you for an email. It annoys me but perhaps the sender knows that another recipient is relying on electronic messages for any kind of human contact that day.
One of the songs used on Ash Wednesday contains the words, ‘This is the time to stop.” It certainly doesn’t mean to stop living but it does encourage us to stop and think about our lives. The current pandemic has certainly curtailed many activities, but it has also helped us to think of new ways to connect with others and to celebrate. Just as I had to stop when looking at my inbox and think twice about my reaction, Lent is an opportunity for us all to stop and examine our priorities.
On Ash Wednesday your children will be bringing home a special Lent parcel containing a cross hand-crafted by Melinda James’ father. Accompanying the cross are some prayer cards and some ideas for the family to do in Lent. The activities support the three pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I encourage you to use the activities as a family, supporting one another ‘to stop.’ I look forward to hearing from the students what they are doing during Lent.
Project Compassion
During Lent, our school community supports Caritas’ Project Compassion which brings together Catholic schools and parishes to raise funds to support projects around the world. These projects help the most vulnerable people who are living in poverty, giving them ‘a hand up not a hand-out’. The theme this year is ‘For All Future Generations’.
A small donation box is being sent home on Ash Wednesday. You may prefer to use the QR code on the side of the box and donate electronically. All the boxes can be sent back to school in the last week of term which is Holy Week. More information on our fund-raising efforts will be coming home soon.
Blessings to you all,
Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
