Yesterday’s Gospel (Luke 6: 27-38) calls us to love our enemies. This message challenges the very nature of the human instinct for self-preservation and retribution. We are asked not only to love those who love us but to reach out to those who may oppose or want to hurt us. Just stop and reflect on that for a moment; given the most recent conflicts we have witnessed around the world. This is not an easy ask!

In 2024 Pope Francis’s wrote his encyclical letter Dilexit Nos – The Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. In this letter he reinforces this message and reminds us of God’s boundless love for humanity and calls us to extend this same love to all, particularly to those who we may find difficult to love. He highlights that love is not merely a feeling, but an action to serve, to forgive, and to reach out with compassion. He encourages us to ‘listen with the ear of the heart.’ Inspiring us to live this out in tangible ways every day, through our relationships and interactions with others.

Shalom strives to live out this call to love in our actions. Last week during our Interhouse Swimming Carnival, we witnessed the spirit of inclusivity and encouragement, where students celebrated each other’s efforts regardless of the outcome or what House they belonged to. Not sure if I can say the same of our extremely competitive and enthusiastic Heads of Houses! But an event like this mirrors the love that is asked of us – accepting one another without judgement or reservation.

Thursday’s Induction Liturgy will serve as another poignant moment to reflect on this message. Our new 2025 College leaders will be entrusted not only with the responsibilities of leadership but with the call to serve others with love, compassion and respect. Each one of them invited to embody Christ’s love in their leadership, guiding their peers and the wider school community in ways that reflect the Gospel values and that of our college. This year we are extremely fortunate and blessed to have Shalom ‘Old Boy’ Father Peter Doherty presiding over the Induction Liturgy. We are excited and looking forward to welcoming Father Peter back to Shalom.

Before signing off on this week’s reflection I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Honourable Mr Keith Pitt on his appointment as Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See. Keith has been a longtime servant of the Bundaberg community, friend and parent of Shalom; he is most deserving of this appointment. Please read Keith’s message of congratulations from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.

Shalom Chaverim

Mrs Gail Norris
Acting Principal
Gail_Norris@rok.catholic.edu.au