Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Bula Vinaka

Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Bula Vinaka

May is one of two months in the Catholic Church (the other being October) when we are asked to reflect on the place and importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our Catholic faith. It is a time when we are encouraged to pray the Rosary, and to consider the important role that Mary held in the place of the early Church. At the same time it is still the Season of Easter and the joy and hope of Jesus Christ’s resurrection continues until Pentecost Sunday. At school, we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with a full school Mass next Wednesday. I love the timing of Pentecost and how it fits so beautifully into the secular event that occurs around the same time – Pink Shirt Day. I see such parallels between these two things. Pentecost was the coming together of people who did not know one another, spoke different languages, had grown up in different cultural settings, and who had different outlooks on life formed by experiences in different communities. Yet, their purpose was a shared one – to create a community of hope, joy, commitment, and faith in something so much bigger than themselves as individuals.

Pink Shirt Day shares a similar, albeit secular, kaupapa. It celebrates diversity, it celebrates difference, it celebrates the experiences, communities, languages, and cultures of our college community. Within this celebration, there is no room for bullying, discrimination, or racism. Instead we come together as one during this coming week, just like the many who gathered together at Pentecost, recognising that we are part of a special place; a college built on our Catholic faith, and the gospel values of respect, service, justice and truth, where diversity is celebrated in the knowledge that we are all formed in the image and likeness of God.

You may remember reading in the newsletter or hearing from your young person at home regarding a focus on racism that we had in assembly during Term One. From this has come a group of students who have created plans to educate and challenge our college community. Opening up this important issue means we can all learn how to manage these situations when they arise in our communities. I am pleased that these students are putting action behind talk, and I look forward to seeing where their planning takes us. Yes, Pink Shirt Week (we have extended the day to the whole week) provides a focus to remind ourselves of inclusion, respect and building people up, but these same messages need to be ongoing and front of mind. Thank you to this group of students who will help us do this.

While celebrating Mary, the Mother of Jesus, this month, we also celebrate all our mothers this Sunday. Let us keep in mind mothers who have passed, mothers who have become distanced from their children, and mothers-to-be.

To all our college mums – enjoy your special day!

“We pray for all mothers and our mother-figures, those who have loved, surrounded and shaped us with motherly care and compassion. Amen”