In last Sunday’s Gospel, Mark dealt with the Temptation of Jesus in the desert in just a couple of sentences. He gave no details of what temptations Jesus was subjected to  - simply that he was tempted and that angels looked after him.

The passage comes directly after Jesus was baptised by John and the Spirit had come upon him. The Spirit who showed God’s favour now takes Jesus for a time into the wilderness. Here, apart from wild beasts and angels he is alone.  We know the nature of the temptations from Matthew and Luke’s Gospels - basically, what did God’s favour resting on him actually mean? What was being the Chosen One of God going to require of him. In the silence of the desert, Jesus discerned the mission that lay before him.

Mark passes over the details to concentrate on the effect that the time in the desert had on Jesus. When John was imprisoned and silenced, Jesus took on the role of proclaiming the Good News - calling people to repent and to believe. The difference was that John had been prophesying an event waiting to happen - Jesus was however proclaiming something happening in the present. He was proclaiming a kingdom being built even as he spoke. 

There is often a temptation to read any Gospel story as if it only existed as a record of a past event. This is never the case - and particularly at this time with this one. The Kingdom is not complete - it is being built even today. Jesus still calls people to repent - and to believe the Good News. 

As we begin another Lent, this Gospel reminds us that no matter how many Lents we have lived through, the call is as urgent as it ever was. We have lived another year and become involved in many things which may have distracted our attention from our spiritual lives and our role in building God’s Kingdom on earth. 

We are reminded of the call of Jesus - and invited to listen and to respond. Over the next few weeks, we can restore things to a proper balance between our spiritual and material lives and, hopefully, find that when the two are in harmony each benefits the other - we may know what it is to feel whole again.

May Christ be our companion during our journey through this Lenten season the weeks ahead. 

Tina Murray

Principal

GRATITUDE - Gratitude is extended to the many staff and parents who have generously donated items in support of our Breakfast Club.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAVELLING HOME / PICK UP - If your child’s arrangements for travelling home change please ensure that this is communicated to the class teacher. This is especially important for our younger students.

PARENTS & FRIENDS - Many thanks to the parents who were able to attend our Parents & Friends Zoom AGM last night. It was wonderful to see a number of new parents in attendance. This is a great testament of putting into practice the commitment made during the enrolment process.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the outgoing committee for their energy, positivity and tireless efforts in helping to build community spirit in during extremely challenging circumstances in 2020. Thank you to all members of the outgoing P & F Executive: Alexandra Zelada (President), Kerry Watson (Vice President), Christine Bampton (Treasurer) and Heather Thomas (Secretary). We are grateful for their hard work and commitment during 2020.

I look forward to the opportunity of working with the members of the new P&F Executive, as we continue to work together to promote our school and our mission to support the opportunities for all our students at Mary Immaculate.

Congratulations to all the parents who accepted nominations and leadership roles in this vital group within our school community for 2021.

• President – Lorraine Brown
• Vice President – Awaiting the results of an online vote
• Treasurer – Chris Thomas
• Hospitality Committee Members - Christine Manestar, Maryanne Thompson, Corinne Argent
• Fundraising Committee Members - Christine Manestar, Maryanne Thompson, Corinne Argent, Helena Lasan 

The positions of Secretary , Hospitality Co-ordinator and Fundraising Co-ordinator were not able to be filled at last night’s meeting and we are seeking support from the wider parent community from anyone who may be interested in assuming any of these roles. Please contact Mrs Murray to discuss further.

DOGS IN SCHOOL GROUNDS - In the interests of safety all parents are reminded that dogs are not allowed on school grounds. The school recognises that even well-behaved dogs can behave unpredictably when placed in an unfamiliar, busy, noisy and crowded school environment and that this can lead to unexpected behaviour in even the best-behaved pet. Children can also behave unpredictably when in the presence of dogs especially where they are not used to being with them. The NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 states dogs are prohibited in some public places. Section 14 (e) of the Act specifically refers to schools and states that this applies to dogs whether they are leashed or unleashed.

Tina Murray

Principal