Have you grown up hearing the saying ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’? I recall my parents telling me this, as well as teachers and older people when I may have felt hurt or injured from a callous comment. I imagine it was meant to help build resilience and develop a tough outer skin that would set us up for life beyond the supportive environment we were growing up in.

Over time though, like you, I have learnt and observed that words can be very hurtful. In fact, the physical ‘sticks and stones’ can cause injury, which then heals and you move on. Hurtful words, however, can sustain an injury that doesn’t always heal, and the scars can stay with people for some time. The introduction of social media has really elevated the hurtful words to a new level. We see people inflict and experience dreadful comments to each other with little regard to the impact their words are having on the recipient. ‘But I am just saying how I feel!’ seems to be an acceptable retort when the other party is both shaken and distressed by the comments.

The lead up to the Voice Referendum saw similar hurtful and disrespectful language used in the community when people spoke openly about their rejection or their disengagement with the topic. Our First Nations People have endured another round of racism and attack at a time that could have been enriching and empowering for them. The outcome of the referendum must compel us to reflect on the illusion that everyone in Australia ‘gets a fair go’. Our First Nations People, who had been buoyed by the outcome of the Mabo case, had their hurt and trauma validated as the truth was laid bare through the ‘Bringing Them Home Report’ on the Stolen Generation, once again optimistic after the National Apology led by Kevin Rudd, and the initial support for the Statement from the Heart, must have been hopeful that the winds had changed and the nation was behind them. This has not been the case. Let’s hope and pray that this devastating outcome will fuel the change that needs to happen in our country to begin the truth telling and the true reconciliation that has been long overdue. The College is flying the Aboriginal flag at half-mast this week in respect to our Aboriginal community who are grieving.

Last Saturday evening, we hosted our Alumni reunion. Sixty-five women attended the College to participate in a tour of the grounds and reminisce old times. The joy and laughter amongst the women was wonderful. I am very grateful to Mrs Monique Keogh, Alumni President, her very dedicated Alumni executive and Mrs Sciffer, for all their work in hosting this event. The College will hold a reunion at this time each year, so if you missed last Saturday’s event, we hope you will be able to attend next year. Don’t forget you can still order a paver to cement your name in the College’s history. Information at the end of this edition.

As is often the case as we move through term 4, we have a few staff moving to new schools or taking some leave. I would like to inform you that Mrs Reader has secured a position elsewhere in 2024. I would like to acknowledge Mrs Reader for the decades of service she has given to St Patrick’s College and wish her the very best in her new school. Mrs Conti will be taking leave from the end of this year to have her baby. We wish her and Mr Conti the very best and look forward to seeing her return in term 4 2024. Finally, Mr Lord is having a well-deserved break this term and Ms Negrin will be Acting Maths Coordinator from week 5 for the remainder of the year.

I will leave you with this poem written by Sr Kerry Macdermott OLN from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Minto in response to the outcome of the weekend’s referendum.

Blessings

Sue Lennox

“Father forgive them – they know not what they do.”

This has been my constant prayer since the results came through.

How could Australia vote No to such a simple request?

Have they ever met an Aboriginal person? How could they say NO?

Why would you deny them their birth right?

They are the First People of Australia and have been for 65,000 years.

We owe them so much for all they have given us.

Mother Mary comfort them like you did Jesus.

Let them know they are loved and treasured.

Give them the strength to endure yet another cross.

Fill their hearts with grace and beauty.

If only Australia sat down with them and listened to their stories –

They would then know how blessed we are as a country.

Dear Jesus, help Australia to see what you see.

Forgive Australia for what they have done.

Fill our First People with the courage to turn the other cheek –

Sadly, they are always having to do so.

Give them all they need to continue to embrace us.

Help us to listen and learn from them.

Be their solace, Lord, at this sad and tragic time.

We have lost the opportunity of a lifetime.

It will not come again and we will suffer the consequences.

Let us be people of peace and bring hope not despair.

Forgive us, Lord, for what we have done.

Give strength to our First People – give them hope.

Make them witnesses of your great love for us.

Unite us as your people and heal our country.

May we be one in You.

Sr Kerry Macdermott OLN - Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Minto