Dear Parents and Carers of Good Samaritan,

Last weekend we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension. As adults, this can be one of the most difficult concepts to understand about our faith. Pope Benedict XVI wrote that the ascension ‘...expresses our belief that in Christ human nature, the humanity in which we all share, has entered into the inner life of God in a new and hitherto unheard of way.  It means that man has found an everlasting place in God.’

Recently, Year 6 studied the meaning of the Ascension by looking critically at Acts 1:6-11. In this passage we can misinterpret the meaning of ‘...when he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him away.’ The misinterpretation is that there was a temporary absence of Christ in the world. 

As Year 6 delved deeper into the meaning of the Ascension, they came to forming their own understandings of why we celebrate this feast. Ezekiel, from 6 Gold, shared with me his understanding:

‘I feel the Ascension means the continuation of God’s work and teachings, the  stories of the Bible passed down for thousands of years to what we have today. We can continue his work by bringing compassion to the community, and putting others before ourselves.’

Ezekiel’s work reflects the writing of Benedict XVI who goes on to say ‘...It meant rather his new, definitive, and irrevocable presence by participation in God's royal power... God has a place for man!… In God there is a place for us!’ 

Pope Benedict, along with Ezekiel, call us to understand that our actions toward one another, our community and ourselves demonstrate that God is alive and well within each of us.

How wonderful it is that our students can teach us, in such simple terms, how to live as God intended - with compassion and selflessness for others.

Have a wonderful week, as we journey, together, with Jesus,

Toni Sillis

Principal