Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi atawhai nui.

Congratulations to the 661 students who completed their service hours and reflection assignment this year. It has been very challenging with COVID lockdowns, but our innovative girls have found ways to serve others. These girls are to be congratulated for working through these difficulties to find ways to still complete service.

This means that Carmel students have completed over 10,000 hours of unpaid service to the community this year. That’s a contribution that we can all take pride in. Well done.

There are families and, in some cases, benefactors with no direct connection to Carmel, who have been serving others with their very generous donations to our Carmel Community Assistance Donation programme. As you can imagine, there are more families coming to us who are struggling financially and it is wonderful to see Carmel families and benefactors helping other Carmel families. The tears of gratitude when we are able to tell these parents that others in the community can assist them is very humbling. So, a sincere thank you.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
May this Advent be a time of deep renewal in my life, dear Lord.
May it be a time in which I strive with all my heart to seek out Your gentle and profound voice.
Give me the grace, dear Lord, to turn away from the many noises of the world that compete for my attention and to turn only to You and to all You wish to say.
Come, Lord Jesus, come into my life more deeply during this Advent season.
Jesus, I trust in You.

Wishing you all a blessed Meri Kirihimete.