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Holy Week and The Easter Triduum

Holy Week began last weekend with the celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord; declaring for us the mystery of the whole of Holy Week and Easter, that Jesus saves us precisely by dying on the cross out of love for us. I invite you to read our Parish bulletin and Father Dean Marin’s description of the events and deep symbolism that is expressed through this week. 

“Last weekend, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord marked the beginning of Holy Week leading to the Sacred Paschal Triduum, Holy Thursday and the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday with the celebration of the Passion of the Lord and then the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses.

As St Paul continually tells us, we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ, who suffered, died and then rose again from the death. In doing so he gained for us the forgiveness of our sins, our restored relationship with God, with each other, with all of creation and the gift of peace and harmony within ourselves. It’s in the mystery of Easter that we are Christians. We become Christian through sharing in this mystery through the waters of Baptism. At the Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday we renew our Baptisms so that we can more fully share in the Risen Life of Christ.

The Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies are not just enactments of past events. As we remember the past saving events, through the power of God’s Holy Spirit and the ever-present faithful love of our God, the past becomes the present and the saving presence of Christ is there for us as we remember him. We have this assurance in every Eucharist, as we remember the Last Supper of Jesus at the first Easter: “Do this in memory of me.”

Let’s not see Easter as an extra-long weekend and a time to get away, but as a time of grace and personal renewal for us all. I encourage you to celebrate all the Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies. They are not just empty rituals but deep, personal experiences of the presence of our God in Christ, loving us and saving us here and now.

Once again, I especially encourage the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance. Christ on the cross has paid the price for all our sins and the hurt and division they cause. We receive God’s love and forgiveness. We are freed from the past; we have permission to let go of all that paralyses us; we are renewed in God’s love and empowered to live new lives of love and peace. We can become the instruments of God’s peace in our families, community and world.

Family Mass – Palm Sunday

Thank you to all the students, staff and parents who supported the Palm Sunday Family Mass which was held on Sunday 25 March at 11:00am in St Paul’s Church. It was also a great community gathering after Mass, sharing a cup of soup and a chat.

Holy Thursday

I remind families that there will be an early school closure Holy Thursday 29 March. As with past practices Junior School will conclude at 2:15pm and Middle and Senior School at 2:20pm. All buses will fall in line with the early finish.

Board Annual General Meeting

Wednesday evening (tonight) at 7:30pm, we will enjoy the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tenison Woods College Board, in the Pam Ronan Centre. As per other years, the AGM will be a showcase and presentation of the 2017 Annual Report.

This year we welcome Year 10 student Dylan Leadbetter and Jean-Claude Cesario to talk about the Zayed Future Energy Prize, trip to Abu Dhabi and our ecology plans for the future. Year 11 student, Ben Langford will be playing music for the attendees prior to the meeting.

The Tenison Woods College Board is comprised of members from the school community, parish community and staff. It is an advisory group to the Principal that oversees the strategic planning, financial management and policy ratification for the College community.

The efforts throughout 2017 have been greatly appreciated, especially through the work of: 

• Board Sub-Committees
• Finance Committee
• Building, Grounds & Asset Management Committee
• Faith, Wellbeing & Health Committee
• ELCC & OSHC Advisory Committee
• Friends of Tenison Committee

2018 Board

Continuing Members:

• Emma-Kate Griffiths (Chair)
• Kevin Johnson
• Peter Collins
• Simone Van Rijn
• Bert Prosperi-Porta
• Kate Facy
• Amy Smith

Following the nomination process, we welcome back to the Board for a further 2 year tenure:

• Brooke Rzepiela
• Sian Earle
• Jean-Claude Cesario
• Chris Ind

We also welcome new Staff Representative, Francesca Dickson and Parish Pastoral Council Representative, Brian O’Connor.

Nigel Adams has elected to retire from the Board after 6 years of service and we sincerely thank Nigel for his outstanding commitment to the College, Board and community.

Ex-Officio (non-voting) Board Representatives include:

• Father Dean Marin – President
• David Mezinec – Principal
• Liza Couzens – Deputy Principal
• Neal Turley – Business Manager
• Mary de Nys – Minute Secretary

BYOD at Tenison Woods College

Thank you to the Senior School families who have supported the Bring Your Own Device approach this year with all the challenges and successes that it has brought for the family. I remind families, for more information about the BYOD program, obtaining free Microsoft Office software and device options, please visit the Portal@TWC help site.  It is a wonderful resource prepared and curated by our committed ICT Support Team.

Parish Planned Giving Rebate

I remind families that parents contributing to the St Paul’s Planned Giving may claim a rebate from Tuition Fees of 50% of their contribution up to a maximum claim of $750. Official Parish receipts are to be presented to the Business Manager after the 30 June 2018 for a deduction to be made.

God Bless,

David Mezinec | Principal

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