The 2nd of November we celebrated an achievement! Father Leonard Macionczyk SDS received an award for meritorious service in Religious Education. The award was presented to Father Leonard on behalf of the Australian Association for Religious Education (AARE) and by its President, Mr Chris Callus, after being successfully nominated by the Religious Education staff at La Salle College in Middle Swan.
A presentation awards evening was held at Sacred Heart Catholic College, Sorrento where recipients and their guests enjoyed great company, an excellent meal together and an opportunity to further reinforce their commitment to the teaching of Religious Education.
The AARE awards is state-wide, and only 4 recipients were selected this year: Father Leonard Macionczyk SDS, La Salle College Chaplain; Professor Chris Hackett from the University of Notre Dame Australia; Ern Azzopardi – RE Coordinator at Aranmore College, teacher, mentor and retiring after an amazing 47 years of service to the teaching profession; and Reverend Geoff Westlake- for his dedicated service to the teaching of Religious Education in Government schools.
Many thanks also to Father Bronek Pietrusewicz SDS, the Vice-Superior of Salvatorian Fathers in Australia from St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish in Carnarvon, who was also able to attend the evening.
As we contemplate face of Christ in this Year of Grace, we recall that Jesus gave his life as a gift of life for others. We remember that Jesus reached out in compassion to those who were suffering; to those who needed healing; to those who were in despair and to those who needed love. We recall all of these things when we, as living witnesses to the Gospel, understand that Jesus knew what his Father was asking of him. “Truly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise” (John 5:19).