This week I would like to share with you all the Valedictory speech that College Chaplain, Fr Adi Indra delivered to our Year 12 students at their Valedictory Evening last Friday.
"It’s a privilege to be here with you once again. I thought I could make things easy by simply repeating what I said during my homily at Mass on Wednesday—or maybe by asking ChatGPT to write something for me! But then I thought again. I respect and appreciate you all—so I decided to write this myself.
This week, you’ve already heard—and will continue to hear—many words and speeches. They’re all good; they’re signs of appreciation and love for you. The teachers and staff of Notre Dame College have watched you grow, and naturally, they want to express their pride and gratitude. I’m sure your parents, families, and friends share those same sentiments.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). It sounds beautiful—and perhaps you’ve heard it many times before. We’re invited to let our light shine before others and all that—but this needs to be understood well. What happens when our light grows dim? What happens when we’re not able to shine?
Christianity isn’t a self-help strategy, nor a kind of “chicken soup” for when you’re feeling sick. It’s the belief that Jesus Christ enables you to live your best life here on earth, while preparing you for complete happiness in the next. Christ will not leave you alone.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus also says, “I am the Light of the world” (Jn 8:12). We need to understand that first and foremost, our light comes from Jesus. Jesus—whose light shines upon each one of us—chooses to share his light with you, so that you may shine it into the world. That gives us the freedom to let go—to stop believing that everything depends entirely on us.
When the world tells you to be completely self-reliant, Christianity invites you to pause, look around, and recognise your dependence—on others, and ultimately, on God. There’s no shame in that. In fact, to acknowledge our dependence in a world obsessed with self-sufficiency is profoundly countercultural.
You need others—and even more importantly, you need God. Jesus Christ—though mocked, ignored, or treated with indifference—still chooses to love each and every one of you personally. And not only does he love you, he entrusts you with his light.
So yes, sorry to disappoint you all—our light doesn’t come from ourselves; it comes from Him. Like the Olympic flame passed from one runner to another, Jesus passes his light to you. He wants you—yes, you—to be his channel and his instrument. He could have done it all himself, but in this moment, in this time and place, he wants you to carry his light into the world.
Now, nothing beats… the Jet2 holiday! No, truly—nothing beats the freedom of saying, “I depend on others. I depend on God, rather than relying only on myself. But at the same time, I trust that God calls me to move forward, to participate in His mission.”
So picture this: the year is 2031—or maybe 2032—six or seven years from now. And no, you’re not in a nursing home yet! Perhaps you’ve started a career. Maybe it’s your third or fourth
attempt at an apprenticeship. Maybe you’re still trying to figure out what’s next in life. Whatever it is—give Jesus permission to share his light with you.
As a self-professed non-practicing Carlton supporter, allow me to say this. If Sam Docherty could say this to Patrick Cripps in his farewell speech back in July 2025, I think I can say it to you all tonight: “I love you.” Yes, I love you all—because in the Christian understanding of love, to love is to will the good of the other. And I truly will the good of each and every one of you.
So—let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Amen".
Have a great week everyone,
Brendan Lindsay
Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity
