Last Thursday we farewelled our Year 12 students from the College with a Breakfast and College Assembly,. It was a very special day as we paid tribute to the Class of 2015, many of whom were our foundation Year 7 students. A highlight of the day was the grand parade of the graduating students out of the College grounds. On Thursday evening the Graduation Mass was celebrated. Fr Bona spoke of the importance of family, friends and faith. Graduating students will receive their Graduation Certificate at the Annual Celebration Night this Thursday, 29 October. I look forward to seeing you there.
PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS - GRADUATION MASS
I read a story once of a successful business man who sometimes assisted in a homeless shelter. At times he donated money, at others his time. One snowy day in the middle of the northern hemisphere winter he arrived to donate some food and stayed to fill plates in the serving line. Just as he got ready to leave, coat on and scarf tight around his neck, he noticed that one of the guests sat at the end of the table, his legs pressed against the heater, his summer sandals soaking wet - summer sandals on a freezing cold day. In a heartbeat, the man in the long overcoat, took off his own shoes, handed them to the sister at the counter and walked out. ‘Wait,’ she called as she ran after him, ‘You cant go out like that, its cold out there.’ The man kept moving down the steps, ‘ i know, he called back, ‘that’s why I left them.’
The story has stayed with me since I first read it. It’s a true story. The gesture was both simple and profound. A well-to-do man saw a homeless man in summer sandals on a freezing day, took off his own shoes, and walked away bare foot. What really struck me was how a small act from one person can make a big difference to another. Would I be prepared to do this - to give something away that had more importance to someone else? Would you?
The man at the centre of the story didn't change the world that day, but his short walk to his car barefoot, meant that a homeless man walked out to the snowy streets with shoes on. This man had made the most of the opportunities he had, he was after all a successful business man, but he has also taken the long view to look beyond himself and through a simple action work towards a better world.
We talk of this often at Holy Cross, of our patrons and of how they are role models of people who served others. This year in particular we have spoken of Sr Irene McCormack and how in choosing life she chose to go to Peru to work with the poorest of the poor. As you journey to the next stage of your lives, perhaps you can be inspired by our patrons with their generous hearts and steadfast values and learn from the example of the man who gave his shoes away, who in his bare feet stood for something beyond himself. In his simple gesture he lived out each of our College values - Justice, Service, Dignity, Personal Best, Compassion,Connection, Gratitude and Stewardship.
Tonight we will give each of our graduates a small bottle of olive oil. This oil is from the olive trees New Norcia, The olive trees we have on our campus - a gift from the Benedictine monks at New Norcia - have been propagated from those at New Norcia. Both olive oil and olive trees are elements that possess great significance in the Christian religion. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Olive oil in Biblical times was used in daily life, as it is today, but is also used symbolically in the Sacraments.
The bottle we give our students tonight bears the inscription May God Bless You As Journey On The Pilgrimage of Life. I hope you will keep it as a reminder of your life here at the College, both the ordinariness of daily life and the enduring values of the College modelled by our patrons.
Joan Chittister said, To save this age, use your education, use your freedom to make a difference in the way tomorrow’s winds blow.’ As you embark on the next stage of your journey, I hope you can do just that, by taking the long view, for yourself and others.
I hope you enjoy your journey and that it is in one in which live life in all it's fullness.
