Dear members of staff, students and parents,
We are, once again, at the end of our first scholastic term and preparing ourselves for the celebration of Christmas: When God becomes one of us, and comes to live among us.

My mind and heart cannot but think about the children, young people and families that are dying in Palestine, the place where Jesus lived.

I want us to unite together to pray for a message of peace so that this deadly war comes to an end. In a war, nobody wins, everyone is a loser.

Peace starts in the context we live in; our families, places of work and our friends. Sometimes we need to make peace with ourselves, with the people who are very close to us or with the environment around us. Let’s pray to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, so that he may grant us the knowledge and goodness so that we may always strive for peace and reconciliation among us.

This year, the Jesuit schools around the world are commemorating 50 years since Fr Pedro Arrupe, a General of the Jesuits, delivered a famous speech in Valencia, Spain, on the educational ideal of the Jesuits: of being men and women for others. The faith that Jesus came to live among us asks us to integrate our faith towards action with those who are suffering. A faith which leads to justice. Otherwise, it’s a false faith.
There is a continuous effort by our management teams and heads of our schools so that, together with educators, we keep giving this type of formation to our students here at St Aloysius College.

I want to thank all the educators of our College for all the initiatives to make sure that our students are formed into being men and women with, and for, others. We want our students to feel at peace and happy when they are generous with those in need.

It is for this reason that our college has various formation programmes in faith and services to others.
I mention the People for Others Programme in our Secondary School, our Social Responsibility Programme in the Sixth Form and various other initiatives that are organised by the chaplaincies of the three schools together with the teaching by our educators.

I would also like to extend an invitation to you all to join us for our Mass on Christmas Eve, which will be celebrated in the Theatre of the College at 10:30pm. There will also be the sacrament of reconciliation at 10pm. We look forward for you to join us as we celebrate Jesus among us.
I wish you all a Christmas filled with peace that leads us into acting in favour of those that are in need and emarginated.

Thank you for your support in our educational mission in our College.
A Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Fr Jimmy Bartolo sj
Rector, St Aloysius College