I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep
John 10:15

In the Church calendar, the fourth Sunday of Easter is known Good Shepard Sunday, and this occurred last Sunday. The Gospel reading for the Mass was taken from John 10:11-18. There was a particular synergy between Sunday’s readings and our recent commemoration of ANZAC day.

Jesus is the Good Shepard and says that he will lay down his life for his sheep. We do not mind being likened to sheep in this context. The word sheep in this text is not disparaging or belittling. In fact, it is quite the opposite as it goes to the core of our very human need to be loved and to feel safe, sheltered and protected in that love, just like the innocent lambs that Jesus the Good Shepard shields and protects. The image of Christ as our Good Shepherd has always appealed to me. One of the earliest paintings of Christ in the Roman catacombs represents him as carrying an injured sheep on his shoulders. In Jesus we have a Shepherd who understands us, one whose patience and love are infinite. He is always ready to go after us when we stray too far; his voice is constantly reaching out to us in missions, retreats, sicknesses, and we all have our own crosses to bear. But with Jesus as our protector we can confidently continue through life’s trials and tribulations

The sermon preached by the Good Shepard two thousand years ago is still echoing and reverberating around the world, calling on us his faithful flock to do all in our power to help those other children of God who are still outside the fold, or lost from the flock.

May – The Month of Mary, Mother’s Day and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Over the last week, I have been privileged to watch our students at various College events honour their mums. On Friday we held our Mother's Day Mass, followed by Breakfast in the college cafeteria. It was so pleasing to have so many mothers and grandmothers attend with their children and grandchildren and hear the appreciation of the mums around how these events had meaning.

May is traditionally dedicated in a special way to honouring Mary as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. By our devotion to Mary, we acknowledge how our relationships with women enrich our lives and how we are drawn closer to God through the example of Mary. We give thanks to our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, colleagues and women friends for the special way they bring the virtues of Mary into our world. Mary is the Mother of the Church and therefore the example and inspiration to us all about the way to Jesus.

Mother’s Day and our devotion to Mary also calls us to consider the injustices perpetrated against women in our world. The month of May is also Domestic and Family Violence Awareness. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is an annual event held each May to raise community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the support available for those affected.

Our schools play an important role in the prevention of social problems such as domestic and family violence. As a Catholic school, we want to form active citizens for whom the morality and the long-term impact of their actions, is a major consideration.

We want to produce young adults for whom virtues like love, compassion and justice are not just good manners, but are lifelong values. Knowledge by itself is not enough; proper human formation demands that the acquisition of knowledge be joined to the teachings of the Catholic Church and of developing good values and character.

In the context of Mother’s Day and the month of Mary, we at CRC Caroline Springs, want to produce good young men and women who are not only good husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers but who are also prepared to take a stand against social problems like domestic violence.

Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast:

On Friday 6 May the college held their CRC Caroline Springs Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast. It was pleasing to have so many mothers and grandmothers attend with their children and grandchildren. There were over 80 people in attendance, and all enjoyed a wide selection of breakfast foods and warm drinks in the College cafeteria. I would like to thank Father Richard Rosse from St. Catherine of Siena Parish for celebrating Mass with staff, students, parents, and parishioners. and for joining us in the College cafeteria for breakfast

ANZAC Day:

ANZAC Day is always a special day on the Australian calendar and occurred on Monday 25 April. We remember all who lost their lives through Australia’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. On ANZAC Day we especially remember the courageous actions undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War.

CRC Caroline Springs Parents & Friends Association:

This year we are looking to further develop our Parents & Friends Association as we see this as a very important support group for our College. Our first face to face meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 May at 7:00pm in the College staffroom (please meet at reception). Meetings are open to and attended by interested parents/guardians, friends of the College, teachers and administrative staff as well as the Principal, or one of the Deputy Principals.

Everyone is welcome to come and meet other parents/guardians, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events.

We would like for interested parents to please email the college at: principal@crccs.vic.edu.au