Dean of Identity | Mr Charles Brauer

The Joy of Friendship

We end each day together with the words “the joy of your friendship”. These are the closing words to our College prayer. Whose friendship are we referring to? What joy can we experience?

Ending the day through prayer doesn’t happen at every school. In fact, it’s quite unique to Edmund Rice schools. For 215 years, Edmund Rice schools have used prayer to “book end” the day – making it clear “the beginning” and “the end” of a school day together. This idea of “beginning” and “end” is in our College crest. The Alpha and Omega in the book of wisdom in our crest represents the beginning and end. Knowing where things begin (originate) and where things end (or should be directed) is quite a tricky thing to truly understand. However, by ending our day with prayer, and with the words “the joy of your friendship” we are reminded of how we should relate to one another.

Our Year 10s who have been away on their Immersion to Timor-Leste have been given the unique opportunity to experience face-to-face the joy of our friendship with the people of Timor. Below are excerpts of their reflections of their immersion experience through the lens of our College prayer. 

O’Jesus, make our hearts so human….

Timor-Leste and Terrace have a unique relationship.  The connection I made with the people while on Immersion was something special. Initially, walking into this experience I was battling some personal problems that made me question what these people would be like or if I’d be considered an outsider on not. Ironically, they treated me more like family than some people in Australia do. The more I interacted with the people of Timor, the more I realised they were just like you and I, that these people, at their heart, are fellow humans. 

So that others may feel at home with you….

When I was in East Timor I got to feel at home with you when we were at the Canossa College in Baucau and we were talking to some of the students. We sat down with them, and they made us feel at home with all of the conversations that they brought us into. 
Through all of our shared interactions, each of us didn’t care what other people were thinking, we were just there to experience something new and learn about their culture, and each other as people.

In the power of your love and the joy of your friendship….

The Terrace Timor Immersion perfectly encapsulates our own College prayer. “In the power of your love and the joy of your friendship”, this line in particular, I truly believe any Terracian who has gone to Timor will understand. The Timorese in all of our experiences have made us welcome in their homes, villages and country, at every opportunity they will ask us how we’re going or if we have eaten enough, when they themselves may not have. Throughout our Immersion we were welcomed into convents, churches and homes such as the two Connosan convents we lived in, the church in Terasu and Father Denisio’s community in Manatuto. The welcoming nature of the Timorese people made, and continues to make, the Terrace Timor Immersion experience so unique and if we're being honest, the best. 

I wish all members of our Terrace Family are safe and happy holiday period and look forward to seeing fresh faces ready for Term 4.