13th June, 2017 Reflection Prayer for Strength and Energy My Lord and my strength, I pray that I may possess that expectancy which comes in joyous hope and have the endurance that is controlled by courage and energy. Grant in the future that I may be less concerned about my living and more anxious for what I make of my life. Amen
Dear Parents and Friends, In 2017, the Parish Priests and the CRC College Executive were invited by the Archdiocese of Melbourne to consider hosting some Religious Sisters, with a teaching background, in the Parishes of Melton, Melton South and Bacchus Marsh. A Dominican Order of religious nuns, the Sisters of St Cecilia were interested in having a presence in schools in this region, and the conversation with the Sisters has continued over the past six months. One of the main aspects of the Charism of The Sisters of St Cecilia is that they are a teaching order. I have received correspondence last week confirming that two Sisters will join us here on the teaching staff at CRC Melton next year. Having the sisters working in our school community fits in well with our Catholic Identity. St Dominic founded the Dominican Order over 800 years ago and St Catherine of Siena was a tertiary in the Dominican Order. We warmly welcome Sister Mary Rachel Capets OP and Sister Anastasia Reeves OP to our teaching staff at CRC Melton. We look forward to opportunities for the school community to meet with them as they commence their work at CRC Melton. An update from Stephen Elder, the Director of Catholic Education in Melbourne, on the proposed funding to schools is included in this newsletter. Last week Stephen and Directors of other Dioceses around Australia appeared before the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee which has begun hearings into the changes to the Australian Government’s funding model. Concerns have already been raised at this hearing about the model used to determine parental capacity to contribute to the education of their children. I have been in contact with our Federal Member for Gorton, Brendan O’Connor and I encourage parents to email his office with their concerns about future Catholic school funding. Contact details: Kylie Jensen, Policy Advisor Office of the Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Federal Member for Gorton Email: Kylie.Jensen@aph.gov.au Principal Mark Sheehan