It is with great joy that I am able to say ‘Hello’ for the first time. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of the Damascus community. I am truly looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and in particular the opportunity to get to know you all.

To Live by the Light of Christ is the theme for 2023. What a beautiful energizing theme to underpin our work together this year. With energy and renewed enthusiasm, we can use our talents and gifts to bring the light of Christ to all whom we encounter. Drawing on the creative inspiration of Dr. Seuss, ‘Today is our day. We can move mountains!’

The symbol of light promotes a beautiful image that has been the inspiration for many stories that remind us that, like Christ, we too can be a light in a world that is in need of hope for a brighter future.

I invite you to light a candle as you read the story of the lamplighter.

In the years before electric lights lined our city streets a lamplighter would travel each street lighting the gas lamps at dusk.

People would watch him doing his job illuminating the streets until the sun went down and they could not see him anymore. At dawn he would return to extinguish the gas light as the new light of day came forth for all to embrace.

As Christian people, like the lamplighter, our challenge is to continue to illuminate new paths to follow and live by the light of Christ.

Next week, the Year 12 students will have an opportunity to go deeper into their spiritual and reflective practice as they go off on Retreat to Anglesea from 8-10 February.

We wish them well.

To get us started this year, below is a snapshot of events organised through the Catholic Culture team to celebrate our faith.