Take us out of our comfort, God, in the wilderness of your way where we might meet those in need and share our gifts with each other in mutual compassion and love, and thus, meet you on this holiest of ground.

Amen

Last Sunday’s Gospel reading at Mass saw Jesus enter the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil. Of course, natural wilderness for those of us who live in urban environments, are such places. For those who live on country our cities and urban areas are places of wilderness for them. The wilderness is a metaphor for a place or time where things are challenging or testing. In wilderness we are faced with the unfamiliar and situations which often require more than we might initially have the capacity for. It is in the wilderness that we often have to practise faith, for it is trust in God and reliance on God that is required.

Wilderness times are often testing times because they present us with struggles and discomfort. The temptation is to give up or take the easy way out or leave it to others. Jesus faced such a time after he was baptised, but we can see that throughout his ministry he was almost always in a wilderness. How could he not be as God incarnate, having to deal for the first time with all the challenges of being human?

Lent is a reminder for us of the need for wilderness. There may be specific times we are led into specific wilderness times for intense formation, but in Lent we remember the call to be sent out into the wilderness of life to join God in God’s mission.

School Cross Country Carnival

This Friday is our school’s Cross Country Carnival at Hurley Park. The carnival has two purposes: to select our representative team to compete at the Diocesan Carnival; and, to bring the whole school community together in a spirit of sportsmanship. The staff who have been responsible for organising the day have been working hard to ensure the children have a great day.

The children will be involved in activities for the whole carnival. While it may be tempting to have your child with you during the day, we ask for your support in ensuring they stay with their age group for the entirety of the carnival. That way they get to enjoy the full experience of the carnival.

Any parents who are able to help on the day are asked to arrive between 8.45-9.00am

Staff Professional Development Day

You are reminded that our next Staff Professional Development Day is being held on Monday 31 March. Students do not attend school on this day.