From the Rector

Date of Easter
Easter, a most significant celebration in the Christian calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, the date of Easter remains a complex matter influenced by tradition, science, and religious factors. A formula established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD detailed that Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the March equinox. In the Catholic and Protestant churches, this means Easter can fall between 22 March and 25 April. However, Orthodox churches adhere to a modified Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, leading to a discrepancy in the date of Easter between the two traditions. This year, for instance, Western Christians will celebrate Easter on 31 March, and Orthodox Christians will observe it on 5 May. Next year the date of Easter will be the same for both Churches ‒ 20 April.

The Julian calendar, devised by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, over time accrued discrepancies with the solar year. By the 16th century, these discrepancies prompted Pope Gregory XIII to commission a calendar reform. Fr Christoph Clavius SJ, an eminent Jesuit mathematician and astronomer, was instrumental in shaping the modern Gregorian calendar. He refined the leap-year system, proposing the exclusion of leap years on centennial years unless divisible by 400. With the omission of ten days in 1582, this adjustment ensured greater accuracy in aligning with the solar year. Clavius's intellectual rigour was profound, particularly his work on Euclid’s Elements and his method for calculating the positions of planets. He is considered one of the most outstanding scientists of the late 16^th century, and luminaries such as Galileo sought his guidance.

Easter Services
Chapel of the Holy Name, Athelstone:

• Thursday, 28 March at 7.00 pm - Mass of Lord's Supper
• Friday, 29 March at 10.00 am - Stations of the Cross
• Friday, 29 March at 3.00 pm - Passion and Death of Our Lord
• Saturday, 30 March at 7.00 pm - Easter Vigil
• Sunday, 31 March at 9.00 am - Easter Mass

St Ignatius Parish, Norwood:

• Thursday, 28 March at 7.00 pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper
• Friday, 29 March at 11.00 am - Stations of the Cross
• Friday, 29 March at 3.00 pm - Passion and death of Our Lord
• Saturday, 30 March at 7.00 pm - Easter Vigil
• Sunday, 31 March at 8.30 am and 10.00 am and 11.30 am (Korean) - Easter Masses

The Easter Season
Christians observe several special days during the Easter season to commemorate important events in the life of Jesus Christ. On Holy Thursday, Christians remember the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles. The Holy Thursday Mass includes the washing of the feet of people, symbolizing Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. The Mass concludes with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose.

Good Friday is a day of remembrance when Christians reflect on the death of Jesus Christ. Many Christians fast and reflect on this day. The Stations of the Cross in the morning is a devotion that follows the path of Jesus Christ from his condemnation to his crucifixion. This devotion can be prayed on any day of Lent. The Stations consist of 14 images that depict scenes from the Passion of Christ.

The Veneration of the Cross at 3.00 pm commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. During this service, the Cross is presented to the congregation for reverence. The service concludes with the distribution of Communion.

During the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, a new fire is kindled, the Paschal Candle is lit, and the Paschal Candle is processed into the church. The Liturgy of the Word consists of readings from the Old and New Testaments that recount salvation history. The Liturgy of Baptism often receives new converts, and the Mass concludes with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This day is a celebration of new life and hope. The Gospel account of the Resurrection is read, and the faithful renew their baptismal promises. The liturgy is often marked with music and decorations, and families typically gather for a festive meal.

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.

For those who have died:

• Joe Romeo

“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.

Partnership in action

The work of Caritas Australia is only possible with the dedication, passion and tenacity of our local partners who implement the programs. They are the heroes on the ground, working tirelessly behind-the-scenes every day to create a better future for their communities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to support communities living in urban slums in the Philippines. FCJ runs a number of programs that include house renovating, food processing, basic literacy skills, urban gardening, upcycling and income generating activities. They also have a clinic visited weekly by a doctor and community nurse.

Caritas Australia partners with Caritas Samoa to assist communities to have increased access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene to ensure human health and well-being by providing water tanks and sanitation facilities.

Caritas Australia partners with the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi through the A+ program. Since 2016, the A+ program has helped 7,397 families across Malawi improve their food security, access to basic water and sanitation, boost women’s income generation and strengthen child protection.

Please donate to Project Compassion.

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting Saint Ignatius' College Adelaide - Caritas | Project Compassion Schools