Dear Parents/Carers,

Next week is what we as Catholics know as ‘Holy Week’. We reflect on events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Easter is the most important time in the Catholic Church’s calendar. It brings a message of hope for all, but initially the Easter story begins in darkness, in a time of great fear, sorrow and despair.  The disciples were nowhere to be seen but were hidden away behind locked doors fearing for their lives.  That description could very easily describe the world we have been living in since last Easter as the COVID–19 pandemic took hold. Our familiar lives became unfamiliar and we are only now beginning to re-emerge to our normal routine and ways of living.  For a year now, we have kept abreast of daily news searching for positivity and light upon the horizon.

But as many Theologians have said ‘you must have your Good Friday, to fully appreciate Easter Sunday’. When Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter morning, the risen Christ brought the light of hope into the darkness of despair. The stone was rolled away from the entrance to the tomb and the risen Lord appeared to Mary.  Through closed doors he entered the place where the disciples were and said to them: “Peace be with you.”

The Easter story may begin in the darkness, but it ends in the light.  From Good Friday to Easter Sunday – Holy Week invites us to journey inwards to seek the inner peace that only Christ can bring. 

I pray that you and your family experience joy and peace this Easter. I acknowledge that we still have a battle to fight with the pandemic, but I would invite you to focus on the hope and good news that the risen Christ gives. Light that is shown in the devotion and care by healthcare and frontline workers who have reached out to help the sick; hope provided in vaccinations; light in the kindness shown by neighbour to neighbour and in gentle and simple acts of compassion carried out by countless ‘Good Samaritans’;. Peace in the resilience shown by all members of College community to carry on and persevere, despite the challenges faced.

May God continue to bless you this Easter.

Mr Simon Abernethy
College Principal