The reading from last weekends Mass was from Mark 1:1-18, the story of John the Baptist Preparing the Way. John the Baptist plays an important role in preparing the way for Jesus and Pope Francis recognises this. This is an excerpt from the Vatican radio focusing on a Homily the Pontiff gave in relation to John the Baptist.
John the Baptist as a model for Christians today: that was the focus of Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Santa Marta chapel on Tuesday morning, the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Describing him as ‘the greatest of the prophets’, the Pope summed up the three key vocations of John in three words: ‘prepare’, ‘discern’ and ‘diminish’.
Firstly Pope Francis said John was a man who prepared the way for Jesus without taking any of the glory for himself. People sought him out and followed him because he was a powerful preacher, the Pope noted, but when asked if he was the Messiah, John replied that he was just “a voice” who had come “to prepare the way of the Lord.”
The second vocation of John the Baptist, Pope Francis said, was to discern, among so many good people, who was the true Messiah. When John saw Jesus passing by, he said to the disciples, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. The disciples looked, but let Jesus go on, so John repeated to them the next day, “Look, this is God’s chosen one!” The third vocation of John the Baptist, Pope Francis said, is to diminish himself so that the Lord may grow in the hearts of others.
This third stage of John’s vocation is the most difficult one, the Pope noted, because Jesus had a way of behaving which was so very different from what John had imagined. Just before his death in prison, John is filled with doubt and sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he really is the chosen one. John is humiliated through his death but also in the darkness of his doubts, yet he remains a model for Christians today. Pope Francis concluded by saying that as Christians we too must prepare the way of the Lord, we must discern the truth and we must diminish ourselves so that the Lord can grow in our hearts and in the souls of others.
Source: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/06/24/pope_calls_john_the_baptist_a_model_for_christians_today/1102114
The last few weeks of school have certainly been active, with many things happening in regards to the religious life of the College.
Australian Catholic Youth Festival
I had the absolute pleasure last week to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Festival with 32 of our students and 4 of our staff members. It was amazing to see so many of our young people engaged in their faith in such a solemn and enjoyable way. There were many highlights for me personally, but it was remarkable to be a part of 19,000 people in the plenary sessions singing some great Catholic music.
Sr Hilda, as always was remarkable. Sr Hilda led us in a beautiful quiet prayer, inviting God to personally be with each of us. To keep so many young people quiet and meditative in such an environment speaks so much about the awe and respect in which Sr Hilda is held. Congratulations must go to the students who entered the festival in such an open and positive manner and conducted themselves in a fantastic way.
I am very grateful to Mr Hayden, who as the College Youth Ministry Coordinator, did a wonderful job organising our students and their schedules on the day. To Miss Liska and Ms Grego who, as group leaders, were enthusiastic and dedicated and did a superb job in guiding the students around. Thanks also, to Miss Abouchabake, who gave up her Saturday to join us at the festival and for the pilgrimage and final Mass.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Recently, our prayer focus has looked at supporting the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. We have asked students and families to donate to this wonderful cause through, not only a food drive, but also by placing a gift for a young person under the Christmas tree here at school. The response from our community has been amazing. We have been able to provide 25 local families with enough food for a nice meal at Christmas lunch, and possible for the following few days. We have also been able to provide many of the young people in the families with a present to open on Christmas morning which will help bring such joy and happiness to their lives.
I have been incredibly impressed with this years efforts and it is a clear reminder to us all of putting our faith into action, just as St Theresa of Avila reminds us that Christ has no body now on earth but yours (ours). Congratulations to all students involved and particular thanks and congratulations to Mrs Castelli, who has done a wonderful job looking over the Social Action group for the majority of the year.
As this is the final newsletter of the year I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a happy and holy Christmas, and I am looking forward to a very exciting 2018.
Mr David Costin
Acting Assistant Principal / Director of Mission and Vision.
