The Ignatian - December 2016 Vol 26 July Edition Vol 27 | Page 45

Past Parents' Association
Commitment to
the Magis
The theme for this edition of the Ignatian,
commitment to the magis… ‘to be more’,
brought with it a challenge to reflect upon
2017 and how to be more in the spirit of
service to God and our sisters and brothers.
Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, Superior-General of
the Society of Jesus, addressed this theme
at the Tenth International Alumni of Jesuit
schools in Europe, held in Spain on July
31, 1973. Fr Arrupe spoke of “justice and
our prime educational objective in the
formation of men and women for others.”
Remember all those years ago when we
chose a Jesuit education for our sons? We
were hopeful that they would value the
educational opportunities offered to them;
that they would grow to become kind
men, mindful of the needs of those less
fortunate than themselves. I remember
the Headmaster, Fr. Greg O’Kelly SJ (now
Bishop O’Kelly) saying to the boys at
Speech Day in 1990, “you cannot become
men for others until firstly you are a
man to yourself.” Fr O’Kelly asked the
graduating year to take their respect for
themselves and for each other into the
world which awaited them after leaving
Riverview. Perhaps the magis here is that we,
the parents of those young men, through
the Past Parents’ Association, continue
to celebrate lasting and meaningful
friendships and to care for each other’s
wellbeing. We began this year with a Mass and light
luncheon on 20 February, followed by our
Annual Bursary Card Day on 12 April. As
always, we are supported by Fr Ross Jones
SJ, Rector of the College, Dr Paul Hine,
Principal of the College and his wife Ann,
not to mention the amazing College staff
who facilitate our events. Both events were
wonderful successes, with large numbers of
past parents attending from both city and
country.
The Past Parents’ Association holds no
fundraising brief. Any monies raised from
our three annual events are donated to
the College towards a Day Boy Bursary to
enable a young man from a disadvantaged
background to experience a Jesuit
education, to become a man for himself
and for others, and to make lifetime
friendships. Our final event for 2017 is the Annual
Spring Luncheon to be held on Friday, 6
October from 12 noon in Cova Cottage on
the College campus. If you are not on the
PPA mailing list but would like to attend,
please contact me at any time. We would
love to hear from you.
With love and respect for the College,
A N N E DA LT O N , P R E S I D E N T
PA S T PA R E N T S ' A S S O C I AT I O N | I G N AT I A N | 4 5