We are called to help children of all abilities and backgrounds, to embark on the pathway of education, on the pathway, to personal growth, and to be equipped to take their place creatively in society, said Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, at the 2023 Catholic Education Western Australia beginning of the year Mass.
Bishop Sproxton was joined for the occasion by concelebrants Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely VG, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, Congregational Leader of the Salvatorians in Australia, Fr George Kolodziej SDS, Osborne Park Parish Priest Fr Wilson Donizetti as MC, assisted by Catholic Education Director of Religious Education, Deacon Mark Powell and several priests from across the Archdiocese.
The Mass, on Tuesday 31 January at St Mary’s Cathedral, was also attended by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM, Governor of Western Australia, WA Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interest, Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, Ms Jaqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, CEWA Commission Chair, Ms Eva Skira AM, CEWA Acting Executive Director, Mr Wayne Bull, CEWA Acting Deputy Executive Director, Dr Tony Curry, members of the Catholic Education Commission WA, members of the CEWA Executive, together with some 1000 principals and teachers from schools across Western Australia.
New teaching staff new to the Archdiocese of Perth were commissioned by Bishop Sproxton in addition to being provided with a commemorative scroll.
Celebrated on the feast of St John Bosco, Bishop Sproxton spoke extensively about the founder of the Salesians.
“He lived between 1815 and 1888 and he has left to the church and to the world at large, an educational, apostolate that has made a difference to millions and millions of people,” Bishop Sproxton explained.
“He’s an interesting man and interesting character. He was subjected to visions and dreams. And in these dreams and visions, he would be able to discern the Word of God in a in a very interesting way,” he said.
History has it that in one of those dreams, St John saw himself in the midst of a group of young people who were fighting and cursing one another.
“And he tried his very best to pacify this crowd of young boys and teenagers. When he heard the voice of a mysterious lady, saying to him, ‘Softly, softly, if you wish to win them, use your shepherd’s staff and lead them to pasture’,” Bishop Sproxton highlighted.
“From that, he began to consider his calling for the rest of his life, to be a teacher, and eventually to be a priest,” he said.
In recounting the work of St John, Bishop Sproxton explained that all those gathered for the Mass on 31 January share the same belief of St John.
“The students we encounter we hope, will be transformed as we walk with them,” Bishop Sproxton explained.
“This should be the encounter of all staff members here, those in the classroom, those supporting the work of education in the school in various ways in administration, even keeping the gardens in proper order,” he said.
“All of us have something to contribute to the formation and education of our young people.
“And it’s a two-way street. This encounter that we set up between us and them, we certainly hope that their encounter with us will provide the spark that will help them grow and become what they can be.
“And on our side, this walking together with our students, will challenge us to also grow and be better in our vocation. As we reflect daily, on the what, and the how, of what we do and say,” Bishop Sproxton said.
