This year is a Jubilee in the Catholic Church. A Jubilee Year (or Holy Year) is traditionally proclaimed every 25 years. It is a year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew their spiritual life. The 2025 Jubilee is centred on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. As Pope Francis expressed it “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” Within Broken Bay, we are called to celebrate this Jubilee Year with “deep faith, lively hope and active charity”.
The theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ was central to the Opening College and Feast Day Mass at St. Brendan’s Church on Friday 14th February. This was the largest St. Brigid group in the history of the College to gather in the Church for Mass. It was great to see the Church at capacity and the reverence and respect of the students during Mass was outstanding. This gathering for Mass was a reminder that every student, staff member and parent are a special and an important part of the St. Brigid Catholic Community. Fr. Tomy led Mass and reminded us that we are one connected family in the Toukley and Lake Munmorah Parish. As our parish priest Fr. Tomy is our spiritual leader and teacher who guides us with our spiritual journey with God. This connection is so important and vital to ensure that Christ is at the centre of everything we do at St. Brigid’s.
The Year 7 group our newest members to join St. Brigid’s were welcomed into the Community with a special blessing from Fr. Tomy and received a badge as a symbol of being an important part of the College during Mass. This was also the first time that the Year 7 student candle was lit as a symbol of light and hope, we wish Year 7 well in their journey at the College. Last Tuesday 25th February Year 7 had the opportunity to attend the Belong Day at the Light of Christ Centre St. Leo’s College. This event is a highlight on the CSBB Calendar, and a joyous way to welcome our new Year 7 students into our Catholic community of Broken Bay. This initiative encourages and supports the students on their faith journey and provides a connection to their RE classes. The day concluded with a special blessing from Mr. Murdoch to begin their High School journey.
This connection with the Parish and the College is so important that we encourage all students and parents to attend the Family Mass at St. Brendan’s Church on Saturday 8th March. Mass will start at 5 pm but there will be cricket and soccer from 3.30 pm. All students and their families are welcome.
Ash Wednesday on the 5th March which marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. On this day students will attend a morning liturgy at the College to receive ashes on their forehead as the sign of the cross. These ashes are from the blessed palms from Palm Sunday the year before. The marking of the ashes on our foreheads on this day is a public expression of our faith and humility. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Through prayer, we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without their basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.
Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may, “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As we live into that fullness, may we come together with love and hope.
During this season of Lent and Easter we are called to examine our lives and make sacrifices to help those less fortunate. During Lent, our challenge is to respond to injustices in our society and support charities like Project Compassion that provides for people who are less fortunate.
Damien Tomsett
Assistant Principal, Evangelisation and Catechesis
