Endings and beginnings...

This isn't going to be a post that reflects on the year in its entirety. Largely because it has been such a busy year and I haven't really had the time to sit and reflect. I have had a roller coaster ride of a year. While many wonderful things have happened to family, friends and I, there have been many trials that friends and family have had to endure. I think 2011 has brought much sadness, namely in the wake of the devastating earthquakes in Japan. I was in Japan, only weeks before of the earthquakes. I have friends in Japan and while they were safe, away from the earthquakes, the devastation to the whole country is enormous and ongoing. I mention Japan because I was fortunate enough to take part in an AEF tour to Japan. It was an experience of a lifetime. 

I have also come to the end of my time at the school where I work. I have absolutely loved working with my department, with the students, the general staff and the community. I can't begin to express how much joy, working there has given me. I leave with a sense of sadness because I feel as though that relationships with members of staff have begun to deepen. I leave with a sense of sadness because I won't actually get to see the fruit of the last four years, implementing innovation and change. 

I do leave with a sense of joy, because I have worked so hard and never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I was going to be a member of a College executive after 12 years of teaching. I feel this new beginning will sufficiently challenge me. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and am relishing the many challenges. I am also a little nervous... I have such high expectations of myself and I know that my new employer has high hopes. 

Finally, I want to say that the new missal is now fully implemented and that marks an end and a beginning for liturgy in the Catholic church. As a practicing Catholic, it is a time of great change and reflection. 

I wish all of you the very best for Christmas and the new year. I hope it is filled with hope.