The reading this Sunday, The Ascension of the Lord (Luke 24:46-53) , is taken from the last words of the Gospel of St. Matthew. The eleven disciples, the Apostles, go to a mountain where they see Jesus. We are told that they worshipped him. They have come to know that Jesus is not only a great teacher, but also their Lord and God. Then, they received the great commission from Jesus before he ascended back to the Father. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Yes, the Lord has ascended into Heaven, but He is with us in a new way as we walk by faith and not by sight, but let’s never doubt that the Lord is close to us now and forever. Someday, He will be revealed to us in a glorious way at the end of time, a day that we wait for with great patience.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value justice. Justice is the principle of fairness, where everyone is treated equally and given what they deserve. It involves making sure that rules are applied fairly, rights are respected, and people are held accountable for their actions. For students, justice is important because it helps create a safe and respectful learning environment. When students feel that they are being treated fairly—by teachers, classmates and school rules—they are more likely to trust others, speak up and take responsibility for their actions. Understanding justice also helps students develop empathy and stand up for others who may be treated unfairly. 

Monday was National Sorry Day and is the start of National Reconciliation Week.  The theme this year is, "We cannot wait another generation". This year highlights the urgency of acting on the Bringing them home recommendations in 2025. The Bringing them home report was released a generation ago. Many of the survivors who shared their experiences with the Bringing them home inquiry are no longer with us. Remaining survivors are elderly, many have still been able to access their records or any form of redress. They are faced with an aged care system that reminds them of the institutions they were removed to as children. Now, the younger generations are stepping up and taking action.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW remain the same each year: 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. 

God bless.
Caroline Fuller