To the St Leo’s Community
There couldn’t be anyone not left appalled by the tragedy that unfolded at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Our community will resolutely stand with the Jewish community. Leonians have always come from a range of different faith and cultural backgrounds. We will always continue to be a welcoming and inclusive community true to the story of Jesus.
We will stand with the Jewish community but we will also stand with our Muslim sisters and brothers, the vast majority of whom were as appalled as anyone by the actions of two individuals. I hope we will all do more, in times likes this, than just send ‘thoughts and prayers’. Let’s all try to take action that will make a positive difference. We could look to donate blood, to not be a part of conversations with friends or family that will seek to demonize those of the Muslim faith or those with a Middle Eastern background. We could choose not to participate into those hurtful calls for a restriction of immigration that will cast all those from non European countries as a threat. I hope we will all acknowledge and affirm the incredible courage shown by Ahmed el Ahmed to disarm one of the attackers. Pretty sure that this brave man is of Middle Eastern descent.
St Leo’s College and our patron, St Leo the Great, champions learning and wisdom. Our nation needs plenty of that to help us all navigate times of real pain and challenge. We will do that best by sharing love, not hate.
Dan McMahon
Loving and compassionate God
We place before you all who have lost their lives in the tragedy at Bondi,
And we hold close the families and loved ones who grieve so deeply.
We pray for those who are injured and for all those who carry shock, fear and trauma.
May your love and blessings bring strength and comfort in this time of darkness,
Grant healing to the wounded and peace to troubled hearts.
Calm the fears of the wider community,
Strengthen all those who respond with care, courage and compassion.
As we remember the miracle of Hanukkah,
May its hope and perseverance remind us that light overcomes darkness,
And guide us to be instruments of hope, love and unity for one another.
Amen
