From the Rector

Today our Year 10s had their Day of Reflection at Sevenhill. Last weekend I visited Sevenhill for the official blessing of the Weikert Cottage restoration. The cottage was built by the original Jesuits at Sevenhill for Franz Weikert in his old age. St Mary MacKillop stayed there when she visited her younger brothers studying at Sevenhill and some of the fledgling Josephite schools in the area.

Weikert had led a group from Silesia accompanied by two Jesuits from Austria, Aloysius Kranewitter and Maximilian Klinkowstrom. They began the Jesuit mission to Australia 175 years ago this year. In the 1840s, the Catholic population of Silesia were persecuted by the Prussian authorities. Weikert sold his farm and financed a group of nearly 150 people to seek a better life. When they arrived, many reneged on their commitment, but Weikert and the Jesuits made a fresh start in the small township of Clare. These were very humble and austere beginnings. The Sevenhill base quickly became significant as a school, farm, and location for missionary outreach. Their effort is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

This week the Junior School had various activities to celebrate Friendship Week. The workshops, liturgies, and presentations reinforce the Friendology program. By creating a safe and welcoming environment, by listening to and understanding each other's ideas and opinions, and by appreciating and respecting our differences, we do build a better community. Our kindness and selflessness improve the world.

The World Happiness Report for 2023 here was released on 20 March. It highlights how trust and social connections improve social equity, economic prosperity, peaceful concord, rule of law, and community wellbeing. The section on doing good and feeling good reinforces the compelling case for the positive relationship between happiness and altruistic behaviours. The final section on social media raises interesting points about data analytics, both its benefits and its biases.

All of us have the choice to build up and encourage or to tear down and destroy. Life is full of challenges, and it's easy to get bogged down by negativity and the things that don't go our way. By having a positive outlook on life and working together, we can achieve our goals and overcome challenges that come our way. Having strong and supportive friendships is crucial to our happiness. It is so necessary to find travelling companions who can support you well on journeys that are difficult. Let's continue to work together towards building a better world for ourselves and future generations.

Fr Peter Hosking SJ
Rector

OREMUS (Let us pray)

We remember all in our College community. May our prayers comfort those suffering at this time. May God’s blessing be a source of support in their sorrow and loss, and bring courage, patience, and hope.

Please pray for Dominic Jones, teacher at the Junior school, whose son was involved in an accident during the week.

For those who have died:

- Michael Boyd Turner (Class of 1957)
- Stephen Napier Beach (Class of 1960)

“Ask and you shall receive … knock and the door will be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7)

If you would like someone to be remembered by the College community in prayer (even anonymously), please provide details to the Rector, class or Mentor Teacher, or House Leader.