It has been a joy this week to go around to all the classes and meet the children. Their smiles, greetings and blessings of peace were beautiful expressions of hospitality and welcome. I shared with them my feelings of excitement and nervousness, which many of them could relate to, especially those new to St Brigid’s. I told the students I have heard very positive things about the school community, including their friendliness, kindness and positive approach to their learning.
A little about me … I come to St Brigid’s, married to beloved wife Anne, with 4 adult children and 3 precious grandsons. I have always felt privileged and grateful to work with children and young people in Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. In the past 20 years, of my 42 years in education, I have worked primarily with parents and staff to support the spiritual, social and emotional learning of children. The foundation of my faith and life is Divine Love that I believe holds us all tenderly.
I look forward to meeting you and working with you to support the learning and faith of your children.
May our good God bless us in that endeavor!
Feast day of St Brigid this coming Monday 1 February:
This is celebrated at this time in Ireland that is suitably in Spring, given her connection with the environment. The following link tells the legend of a mantle that St Brigid spread over land, upon which she would build a community (monastery), open to people to share their lives, love and faith.
Link: https://brigidine.org.au/about-us/our-patroness/legend-of-st-brigids-cloak/
You may want to talk as a family about an experience of something growing from a ‘small beginning’ eg a time when welcomed someone unexpected to a meal in your home, wondering at first whether you would have enough in the pot, or a time when your family showed generosity, even though times were tough for your family.
Let us pray as a family:
… Loving God, you called St Brigid to live a life of love, through hospitality and care for others: grant us, by her prayers and generous spirit, that we too may show your love to others.