‘Get wisdom,’ the book of Proverbs tells us. ‘Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you’ (4:7).
This week, we celebrate Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme—‘In the light of Christ’—reminds us that Jesus illumines everything our Catholic schools do, helping our young people to grow not just in knowledge but in wisdom.
We speak with two inspiring educators who embody this vision and who were recently awarded Australia Day honours. Dr Margaret O’Donnell OAM speaks about the place of education in her life from her earliest years, and the joy she has found in her vocation as a teacher, principal and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Board member. Similarly, Vincent Feeney OAM shares the story of his journey from rookie teacher to principal of St Francis Xavier College in Melbourne’s south-east, and his commitment to ‘seeing’ his students, forming strong relationships and putting Jesus at the centre.
Also this week, as Round 1 of the AFL season kicks off, we speak with Carlton footballer Matthew Kennedy about how faith and family have sustained him in his life and sporting career. Prof Neil Dodgson draws on his considerable expertise in computing, maths and engineering to provide some insights into AI’s implications for human society, and how we might engage with these questions from a Christian perspective. And we hear how, more than ever, your generous donations to this year’s Good Friday Holy Land Collection will help the Franciscan Friars to continue their vital, 800-year ministry among the people of the Holy Land, even in the chaos of war.
Finally, as we approach St Patrick’s Day—and the Patrick Oration next Monday 18 March—we go ‘time travelling’ with St Patrick, who shows us that wisdom can come from waiting, and that even when we can’t see the way forward, we can confidently entrust ourselves to ‘the One in Three and Three in One’.
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