Number 177 November 2007

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students,While away on retreat last holidays, I encountered an article written by Henri Nouwen. I was struck by a reflection he wrote on the word ‘blessing’. In Latin, to bless is benedicere. The word ‘benediction’ that is used in many churches means literally: speaking (dictio) well (bene) or saying good things of someone. To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer. It is more than a word of praise or appreciation; it is more than pointing out someone’s talents or good deeds. To give a blessing is to affirm, to say ‘yes’ to a person’s belovedness.Nouwen gives an account of his own community where he had a very personal experience of the power of a real blessing.

Not long ago, in my own community, I had a very personal experience of the power of a real blessing. Shortly before I started a prayer service in one of our houses, Janet, a handicapped member of our community, said to me: ‘Henri, can you give me a blessing?’ I responded in a somewhat automatic way by tracing with my thumb the sign of the cross on her forehead. Instead of being grateful, however, she protested vehemently, ‘No, that doesn’t work. I want a real blessing!’ I suddenly became aware of the ritualistic quality of my response to her request and said, ‘Oh, I am sorry ... let me give you a real blessing when we are all together for the prayer service.’ She nodded with a smile, and I realized that something special was required of me. After the service, when about thirty people were sitting in a circle on the floor, I said, ‘Janet has asked me for a special blessing. She feels that she needs that now.’ As I was saying this, I didn’t know what Janet really wanted. But Janet didn’t leave me in doubt for very long. As soon as I had said, ‘Janet has asked me for a special blessing,’ she stood up and walked toward me. I was wearing a long white robe with ample sleeves covering my hands as well as my arms. Spontaneously, Janet put her arms around me and put her head against my chest. Without thinking, I covered her with my sleeves so that she almost vanished in the folds of my robe. As we held each other, I said, ‘Janet, I want you to know that you are God’s Beloved Daughter. You are precious in God’s eyes. Your beautiful smile, your kindness to the people in your house and all the good things you do show us what a beautiful human being you are. I know you feel a little low these days and that there is some sadness in your heart, but I want you to remember who you are: a very special person, deeply loved by God and all the people who are here with you.’As I said these words, Janet raised her head and looked at me; and her broad smile showed that she had really heard and received the blessing. When she returned to her place, Jane, another handicapped woman, raised her hand and said, ‘I want a blessing too.’ She stood up and, before I knew it, had put her face against my chest. After I had spoken words of blessing to her, many more of the handicapped people followed, expressing the same desire to be blessed. The most touching moment, however, came when one of the assistants, a twenty-four-year old student, raised his hand and said, ‘And what about me?’ ‘Sure,’ I said, ‘Come.’ He came, and, as we stood before each other, I put my arms around him and said, ‘John, it is so good that you are here. You are God’s Beloved Son. Your presence is a joy for all of us. When things are hard and life is burdensome, always remember that you are loved with an everlasting love.’ As I spoke these words, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and then he said, ‘Thank you, thank you very much.’

I imagine the prayer service, as described by Nouwen, must have been quite a moving experience. It underlines for me the need to affirm people in our lives while also allowing others to affirm us. I have gained great insights by reading Henri Nouwen’s writings. He has much wisdom to offer us.His message is significant and should challenge each one of us. He tells us “that evening I recognised the importance of blessing and being blessed and reclaimed it as a true sign of the Beloved. We all need an ongoing blessing that allows us to hear in an ever-new way that we belong to a loving God who will never leave us alone, but will remind us always that we are guided by love on every step of our lives.”May this prayer, taken from Psalm 139, be a reminder of how special we all are in the eyes of God.

With best wishes

Br Bill Sullivan, fmsHeadmaster

O Lord, you have searched me and known meYou know when I sit down and when I rise up,you discern my thoughts from far away.You search out my path and my lying down,And are acquainted with all my ways.For it was you who formed my inward parts;You knit me together in my mother’s womb,I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:1-13, 13-14)

from the headmasterI congratulate the following boys who were appointed as our College Leaders for the

year ahead. I wish them well as they take on these important roles at Marcellin

Congratulations to the following Year 11 boys who received these awards at the Preliminary Prizegiving last week

Brendan ZachariasYear 11

Christian Leadership

Domenic SvejkarYear 11

Academic Excellence

Thomas BrackenYear 11

Cultural Contribution

David TanYear 11

Service to the Community

Kristopher PapadatosYear 11

Outstanding Sportsman

COLLEGE LEADERS 2008Student Executive

Captain Lucien AlpersteinVice Captain Thomas Bracken

Sports Captain Adam Sparrow

STUDENT COUNCILHouse Captains

Anselm Leroy BellantoChampagnat Matthew Portokalli

Fallon Corey EdwardsIgnatius Patrick Renford

Prefects

Mitchell Stamatellis Douglas WardyJeremy Martinez

Lucien AlpersteinYear 11

Headmaster’s Award Contribution to the School Community

Thomas HollandYear 11

Headmaster’s Award Contribution to the School Community

Reece HollandYear 11

Headmaster’s Award Contribution to the School Community

Patrick RenfordYear 11

Headmaster’s Award Contribution to the School Community

Marcellin College Leaders - 2008Left to right: Mitchell Stamatellis, Corey Edwards, Jeremy Martinez, Matthew Portokalli, Patrick Renford, Leroy Bellanto, Adam Sparrow,

Douglas Wardy, Thomas Bracken, Lucien Alperstein, Br Bill

College Captain Lucien Alperstein and his parents, Dr and Mrs Alperstein

College Captain 2007, Nathan Hill, with Lucien Alperstein, College Captain 2008

College Vice Captain, Thomas Bracken, with his parents, Mr and Mrs Bracken and sister Lucy

from the headmasterThe Year 7 camp took place in the Colo Valley at Camp Somerset from 17th-19th of October. The idyllic bushland setting allowed the boys to move out of their comfort zone and experience the fun and challenges of outdoor recreation. Over the course of a few days, the boys were encouraged to participate in a range of activities including bushwalking, canoeing, abseiling, obstacle and rope courses as well as opportunities to prepare and cook their own gourmet meals on the campfire. The boys responded in a very positive manner to the whole experience. They exhibited a strong sense of cooperation and teamwork and have hopefully renewed their sense of appreciation for the comforts of home.Thanks to the wonderful people working at Camp Somerset and to our own teaching staff who accompanied Year 7 - Ms Dove, Ms Marsden, Mr O’ Connell, Ms Murphy, Mr Kostovski, Mr MacNamara, Mr Leary, Mr Kerr, Ms Taddio and Mrs Ververis. Thanks to their help the camp was a great success!

News and Sport

Marcellin College Randwick 195 Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031

Ph: (02) 9398 6355 Fax: (02) 9398 9049 secretary@marcellin.nsw.edu.au www.marcellin.nsw.edu.au

Bronze Medallion/Surf Rescue Certificate Course - Coogee SLSC is holding its third annual intensive one week course for the Bronze Medallion for school children aged 13+ over the summer holidays from Saturday 12th January to Sunday 20th January. There will be three information nights at 6.00pm on 4th November, 2nd December and 23rd December at the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club. For more information visit the Coogee SLSC office on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12pm or visit their website: www.coogeesurfclub.com.au or call Nicola on 0424640788.Celebrating Parent-School Partnership on Thursday 29th November 7.30-9.30pm at CEO Daceyville. An opportunity for your school to nominate parents who have made a substantial contribution to the school community in 2007 to receive a Certificate of Appreciation at the Sydney Federation’s Eastern Region meeting.Free Seminar on Bullying: A Problem for Children and Adolescents - with Ari Bedaines, Clinical Psychologist - on Monday 12th November 10.00am to 12.30pm at Maroubra Seals Sports and Community Club.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Senior blazers and senior short sleeve shirts are all available at the uniform shop. Shop hours are 8.00am to 11.15am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Year 10’s can buy the Senior blazer and shirt from the uniform shop before and after the Year 10 Farewell Assembly on Thursday 6th December. Opening hours for this day will be 8am till 12pm.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

Office Junior to Barristers Chambers in the city. Hours are Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm. Duties include: deliveries, documents to court, photocopying, filing, mail and general admin duties. No experience required. Would suit school leaver for gap year or longer. Fantastic office environment experience. Please email resume or application to clerk9@windeyerchambers.com.au

YEAR 12 SCHOOL LEAVER JOB OPPORTUNITY

On Wednesday 24th October, Year 9 met at Marcellin Fields for their annual Reflection Day. Over the course of the day there were many activities designed to encourage the students to move out of their comfort zone. The students were encouraged to pair up with another student outside their friendship group and to listen and learn about their family and their favourite things. Some talented students performed for the group – notable acts on the day were Dominic Foffani singing the ACDC classic “TNT”, Jack O’Brien singing “Tribute” and Daniel

Mansutti dancing the “Macarena”. The boys were constantly challenged to reflect on how they treat each other as well as to recognise the various gifts that each student has to offer. They were given the opportunity to publicly affirm other students and teachers for their achievements (e.g. academic, sporting, how they treat others with respect, etc) as well as to reconcile any differences between themselves and their

fellow classmates.

YEAR 9 REFLECTION DAY

SPORT

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all Round Opposition A Grade B Grade Under 15 Under 14

Round 1 Kogarah W: 49-18 L: 37-38 W: 55-21 L: 19-28

Player of the Match Julio Sanchez David Hutchinson Tom Payten Michael Hallam

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ll Round Opposition A Grade B Grade Under 15 Under 14

Round 1 Kogarah W: 6-2 W: 4-2 W: 6-1 L: 3-8

Player of the Match Blake Hurley Matthew Shean Aaron O’Brien Blake Hurley

Crick

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Round Opposition A Grade Under 16 Under 14

Round 1 Kogarah L: 5/115 9/128

L: 10/92 7/107

W: 4/161 10/41

Player of the Match James Ambrose Matthew Edwards Jason Gray (100)

Squ

ash

Round Opposition Squad

Round 1 Kogarah W: 1149-460

Player of the Match Kenrick Setiobudi

This Sunday 11th November Marcellin College Randwick are inviting all students and families to the 6pm Youth Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church. The mass will be followed by a barbeque. All welcome - tell your family and friends in the community. If you want to know more, contact Mr John Finneran at Marcellin.

YOUTH MASS

The day was a big success because of the enthusiastic participation of both the students and their Homeroom teachers. I’d like to thank Mr Kerr for organising the Reflection Day, Mr Ferguson and Mr Davidson for cooking the BBQ and the Year 9 Homeroom teachers for also participating in the activities.

Ms Rachel Thompson, Year 9 Coordinator