College Chronicle June 5 th, 2008

TO RESUSCITATE OUR YOUTH
by Fr. Yves le Roux
St Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Winona.

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

The flower of a society is its youth, the fragile promise of fruit for tomorrow. Do we still dare to hope for tomorrow's fruit? We do – by the virtue of hope that demands that we laugh daringly at pessimistic omens and defy the sarcastic remarks of cowards. We cannot deny that the cancer of liberalism has increased the weakness of our young. But if the misfortunes of the present times hide the deep reality of things, they do not remove that reality and we must rest upon it to heal a misled youth: the key to the resurrection of our youth is education.

The first and absolutely necessary remedy is to return authority to its fundamental role as custodian of order. Without authority, the attempt to raise a building that will resist the ravages of time becomes impossible. Too many parents and teachers are saturated by a liberal spirit and have thus, either by weakness of conviction or of character, lamentably given up their task. The slogans of the cultural revolution of the Sixties impregnated a whole generation which, on becoming parents, is still convinced that "any authority is criminal". And thus, too often we see the painful spectacle of adults degrading themselves by treating their children or pupils as equals, even while those children or pupils expect them to be solid columns on which they can find support to rise. But they will not be able to do so unless they admire their parents and teachers. Yet how could that happen when the superior abdicates his authority, leading to the contempt of his prestige? It becomes only normal, consequently, for the child to scorn anyone who gives him such an example.

The essential foundation of any education resides in the educator recognizing himself as depositary of authority and exercising it calmly but firmly. There is no other foundation. The child will subject himself naturally to it, and will receive an indelible imprint which will enable him to recognize his natural limits and will give him the habit of judging rightly. Only through the practice of obedience can we learn to command, because this virtue is the expression of the noblest and rarest authority: that which we exert upon ourselves by freely subjecting our will to another's.

Thus, under the effects of the simple exercise of authority, the child's intelligence is properly formed by the discovery that the criteria for a right judgment are real, external to him, and demand his obedience according to inviolable laws.

Let us insist upon this: we are indeed talking of the exercise of authority, not of the appearance of authority. Exercise includes a constant, tireless vigilance, clear structures and punishment - tactful but strict - of any deviation, because the child will test our endurance, waiting for any weariness on our part to break free... This constant vigilance may seem heavy to some, but if the educator is not a watcher ready to give the alarm and organize the defense, what is he? If he watches tirelessly, there are no dangers that cannot be avoided: any attack that loses the element of surprise loses much of its force.

This essential firmness of authority is unfortunately not enough to completely cure the two mortal wounds that afflict man's intelligence and will. We must also launch out into a spiritual conquest.

The intellectual soil of our souls is today a shameless web of lies - philosophical, historical, economic. Our first task must be to free our youth from this swamp, teaching them how to recognize the truth and giving them a sense of the beautiful, which reflects the truth; but also by giving them a deep horror of what is false and ugly. Let us dare to say more: it is our duty to teach our children to hate falsity and ugliness with all their strength. Error is a mortal poison and nobody can drink it with impunity: only an absolute loathing will keep us away from it. Truth cannot remain whole in contact with error. This point is of extreme importance, and those who claim that truth is never stronger and more beautiful than when it has been touched by error show themselves to be intellectually coarse and incompetent, for the veracity of a thing depends on the wholeness of all its causes.

We insist on this, even at the risk of being wearisome: we are persuaded, more than ever, that the men of today are not sufficiently formed and that these words of Cardinal Pie summarize our profound deficiency: "The strength of the wicked comes from the cowardice of the good". Therefore, it is extremely important to see that our children receive a thorough intellectual and disciplinary formation, both at the natural and supernatural levels.

This intellectual and disciplinary formation must be based on principles. But it is not enough to discover principles: they must also be applied in concrete - otherwise, they will be only words thrown to the wind and not seeds striking deep roots in good ground. From this arises the importance of those Catholic youth movements where the adolescent has to "incarnate" in practice what he has learned only in theory. It is in practical activities that our youth discover the unique joys of effort and sacrifice, and realize that man is made for service and not simply for pleasure; is made to rise above himself and not to abase himself. "Life is made to be overcome, not to be lived," as René Bazin said. Life is a hard struggle, and we have the duty to prepare our children for it. To hide from them this reality is criminally negligent. If we do not do our duty, at the first skirmish they will surrender their weapons without even having engaged in the battle.

In these youth movements, moreover, the force of example is a powerful and important stimulant: the tree falls on the side where it leans, as the proverb says. We tend to forget that a moral inclination follows the moral examples received. Our constant experience shows the almost mathematical certainty of this. Therefore, we must always be vigilant of the company that our children keep, encouraging good companions and prohibiting any that are of even questionable character. On this point a great severity is needed and does not admit any exception: the soul is a pearl that dissolves at the contact with a few drops of vinegar.

This necessary rigor is, in the end, nothing else but the most authentic sign of a profound love. If we genuinely love our children today, we will prepare them to be the men of tomorrow. Let us be rigorous in the education of the child, in the principles that direct him and in the details of their application. Let us not be afraid of exercising our authority, because it is the force that allows a child's intellectual training to be founded on solid principles.

Rigor, that is what will allow us to leave the present dead-end and to avoid sinking tomorrow into an indescribable chaos.

In Christo sacerdote et Maria,
Fr. Yves le Roux

What's On

STAC SNIPPETS
The Head Girl at the College was
Monica Murnane in 1998

Lunch Orders
A reminder to everyone that students are able to order a Lunch Order on the following days.
Monday: Mannix & McKillop house members
Thursday: Bosco and Kolbe house members.

General news

DISMISSAL TIME FOR BOTH SCHOOLS:
As a result of the P&F meeting on Monday evening we will now be finishing school at 3.10pm starting Tuesday 10th June. This is a trial and will run for two weeks which takes us to the end of term.

VCE EXAMS:
Due to exams there will be no choir on Wednesday 11th June. Students are not to go near the Secondary Library.

CAR PARK DISCUSSION:
Please find inserted with this Chronicle a copy of the car park plan as it is presently.
At the P&F Meeting concerns were raised about the safety of all students as many (of all ages) are walking behind parked cars and even cars as they reverse. We welcome your submission of your ideas as to how to improve the facility and ensure that our car park offers a safe environment to the students. Please use the reverse side of the map and be sure to put your name on your submission.

2007 PERFORMANCE REPORTS:
A copy of this report can be found at the College office. Please feel free to take home a copy.

GRADE 5/6 BOYS R.A.A.F EXCURSION:
This excursion will now be held on 13th June 2008.

KNIGHTS OF OUR LADY:

Members: Chapter meeting Thurs 5th June evening at C.C.

Pages and Members going on MCG tour: (Sun 8th June) We will catch the 9:12am V.line train from Pakenham. Returning late afternoon. All are expected to be in uniform. BYO breakfast to eat on the train.

The HIKE on Monday 9th June will leave Gembrook at 8am.
Note: This will now be a half day event and so will finish at Mortimer Park on Tonimbuk Rd c. Noon, with a BYO BBQ. Kees 59681316

Cadets: meeting this Sat at Corpus Christi at 9am. Bring food and cooking gear for a camp fire breakfast, followed by a short bush hike. Finish at noon.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS:
Those waiting on girls' winter school hats; they have arrived- excellent stiff quality (new supplier) - $44
School wheelie bags are also now back in stock. $65
Winter special on microfibre, cotton lined tracksuit in school colours and embroidered logo. $59 instead of $69
Sizes start from 14 Youth to 18 Mens', Girls may purchase the jacket separately at $39.
Junior fleecy windcheaters and track pants embroidered with school logos - $25 and $18

Second hand: large blazer $80 VGC
2 Rain proof sports jackets $15 each
Grey shorts and long trousers from $3
Some school shoes from $3
Large jumper $10

SECONDARY BEADING CLASSES:
A reminder to those girls who have not yet paid $10 for the beading classes to please do so before the end of term.

LOST:
New black sports windcheater Size 12. Has school logo on it, Verleg on label. If found please return to James.

“Some Quotes to Ponder ”

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.

STAC Building Fund
Donate in June, Get a Tax Deduction in July.
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, those who were kindly thinking of making a tax deductable donation to the STAC Building Fund could do so before 30 June and then receive their tax deduction early in the new financial year when claiming their donation in their tax return.

Saint of the Day

June 5th: Feast of St Boniface, Martyr

ST. BONIFACE was born at Crediton in Devonshire, England, in the year 680. Some missionaries staying at his father's house spoke to him of heavenly things, and inspired him with a wish to devote himself, as they did, to God. He entered the monastery of Exminster, and was there trained for his apostolic work. His first attempt to convert the pagans in Holland having failed, he went to Rome to obtain the Pope's blessing on his mission, and returned with authority to preach to the German tribes. It was a slow and dangerous task; his own life was in constant peril, while his flock was often reduced to abject poverty by the wandering robber bands. Yet his courage never flagged. He began with Bavaria and Thuringia, next visited Friesland, then passed on to Hesse and Saxony, everywhere destroying the idol temples and raising churches on their site. He endeavored, as far as possible, to make every object of idolatry contribute in some way to the glory of God; on one occasion, having cut down on immense oak which was consecrated to Jupiter, he used the tree in building a church, which he dedicated to the Prince of the Apostles. He was now recalled to Rome, consecrated Bishop by the Pope, and returned to extend and organize the rising German Church. With diligent care he reformed abuses among the existing clergy, and established religious houses throughout the land. At length, feeling his infirmities increase, and fearful of losing his martyr's crown, Boniface appointed a successor to his monastery, and set out to convert a fresh pagan tribe. While St. Boniface was waiting to administer Confirmation to some newly-baptized Christians, a troop of pagans arrived, armed with swords and spears. His attendants would have opposed them, but the Saint said to his followers: "My children, cease your resistance; the long-expected day is come at last. Scripture forbids us to resist evil. Let us put our hope in God: He will save our souls." Scarcely had he ceased speaking, when the barbarians fell upon him and slew him with all his attendants, to the number of fifty-two.

Reflection.—St. Boniface teaches us how the love of Christ changes all things. It was for Christ's sake that he toiled for souls, preferring poverty to riches, labor to rest, suffering to pleasure, death to life, that by dying he might live with Christ.

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