With our focus this year on the Benedictine value of Pax (Peace), we have as our theme song this year the Peace Prayer of St Francis. In his prayer for peace, St Francis indicates that peacemaking involves having attitudes that foster right relationships with others. St Francis urges us to have attitudes of understanding, forgiveness, consolation, generous giving and, above all, to be loving.

Our Ash Wednesday Prayer Service also marked the start of the 2020 Project Compassion Appeal. For those new to our St Patrick’s community, Project Compassion is a fundraising appeal organised by the Catholic charity Caritas. Caritas operates throughout the world in areas where there is need. Catholic schools throughout Australia are called to assist Caritas with their fundraising efforts. This year’s Project Compassion theme is “Together we go further”. Year groups at St Pat’s will be encouraged to give generously so that, together, we may achieve great things.

This year’s Ash Wednesday’s Prayer Service included a special video presentation. Four of our Year 8 girls—Eve M, Bianca J, Laura Z, and Bronwyn Z produced an elaborate Minecraft world which was a place of peace. These girls created an excellent presentation which demonstrated to the College community the need for peace in our world, the ways peace can be achieved and the positive effect peace can have on us and our environment.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator