Easter: New Life, New Hope

MERCY LIGHT: Believing

It has been a very busy term at St Aloysius College, and the Easter break was a welcome opportunity to take time to reconnect with loved ones before the final week of term. Easter is the most important event in the Christian calendar, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection three days later. To commemorate the beginning of Holy Week, the whole school gathered for a profoundly moving Holy Thursday liturgy in the Undercroft. A small group of students performed a symbolic tableau to portray the events that led to Jesus’ death. To close the ceremony, our choir delivered a beautiful rendition of the African-American spiritual, Were You There?

The liturgy gave our community a chance to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice, and also, on the experiences of people who are persecuted today. Today people are not crucified on a hill, no nails or crosses are used. But we see people crucified all around the world; people who have lost their freedom, people who are poor and people who are without love.

Through the gift of mercy, we are a community that takes action to do as Jesus did: support those in great need. This was recently demonstrated during the Colour Run, which raised thousands of dollars for Mercy Works, and through the generosity of families who contributed to our Easter Egg Appeal. Hundreds of Easter Eggs were distributed to clients at Catherine House, Centacare, Adelaide Day Centre and The Circle of Friends.

The Easter message is really one of hope. Hope that, in times of trial and uncertainty, we will be shown mercy, just as we show mercy to others.

This message was reiterated at our Easter Mass which was celebrated on Wednesday in Week 11. Father James McEvoy said, “Death is not the end of Jesus’ story. He lives forever in eternal love and His resurrection teaches us that His life of self-giving, healing and welcoming all people, especially the marginalised, is the clearest expression of God’s love in our world”.

We as a community, guided by our Mercy values, can spread this message of love to others all year round. We wish you a happy and safe holiday period and look forward to welcoming students back for Term 2.

Ms Maddie Kelly
JAM Coordinator