Last week, our Year 12 students embarked on their retreat, a time of reflection, connection, and spiritual growth. Over the course of their time away, they were invited to step back from the busyness of daily life and take the opportunity to deepen their faith, strengthen their relationships with one another, and reflect on their personal and spiritual journey. Through prayer, discussion, and moments of stillness, students explored the ways in which God is present in their lives and how they are called to live out their faith with purpose and integrity. Many described the retreat as a transformative experience, one that gave them time to reconnect with what truly matters and left them feeling renewed and inspired for the year ahead. We are incredibly grateful to all staff and students who contributed to making this retreat such a meaningful and memorable occasion.

As we continue through the school year, we keep Pope Francis in our prayers, asking God to bless him with strength, wisdom, and compassion as he leads the Church in these challenging times but also for his recovery and health. His constant call for unity, justice, and love is a reminder to all of us of the Gospel values we are called to embody. This year, in particular, is a significant time for the Church as we are in the Jubilee Year of 2025, a time of grace, renewal, and pilgrimage. Pope Francis has invited us to embrace this period as a time of hope and deepening faith, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope." As we are in the midst of this special year, we are called to reflect on how we can grow in faith, strengthen our commitment to justice and peace, and journey together as a people of hope.

Next week, we enter the sacred season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that calls us to renew our hearts and prepare for the celebration of Easter. Lent is a season of reflection and self-examination, inviting us to deepen our faith, to make sacrifices in solidarity with those in need, and to open our hearts more fully to God’s presence. Before we begin this season of renewal, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, a long-standing tradition in the Church that serves as a final day of feasting and preparation before the fasting and penitence of Lent. The name “Shrove” comes from the old English word shrive, meaning to confess sins and receive absolution, reminding us that Lent is ultimately about turning back to God with sincerity and love. Many communities also mark this day by making pancakes, a practice that historically came from using up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar before the fasting period began. As we enjoy this tradition, it is important to also reflect on how we can enter Lent with open hearts, ready to embrace the call to repentance and renewal.

We also invite all members of our community to join us for our Opening College and Ash Wednesday Mass as we come together in prayer at the beginning of the school year and the Lenten season. Our Opening College Mass is a time to give thanks for the year ahead, seeking God’s guidance and blessings upon our learning, our relationships, and our journey as a faith-filled community. Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, is a solemn and reflective day that reminds us of our call to turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. The ashes we receive on this day are a visible sign of our commitment to this journey of faith and renewal. We encourage all students, staff, and families to take part in these special liturgies as we prepare our hearts for the weeks ahead.

As we begin this season of Lent and look ahead to the Jubilee Year, may we embrace this time with a spirit of humility, reflection, and generosity, seeking to grow closer to God and to one another.