20. The Soul
As we come to the end of a uniquely challenging term in the life of our education system, we reflect with gratitude on the gift that God has presented us. We begin to see our lifestyle, our relationships, our classroom, indeed everything in our world, with a new perspective. At such times in history, it is important to have a blueprint on which to reassess our priorities. The Beatitudes given to us by Jesus provide such a blueprint.
Our Proclaim Lismore Students video this week interprets the Beatitudes as the ever popular Be-Happy Attitudes. The message is clear; focussing on the happiness of others is the way to our own joy as true contentment is only found in knowing and sharing the love of God. We hope you enjoy this interpretation of the Beatitudes in this award-winning animation - Sam’s Be-Happy Attitude.
May your mid-year break be blessed with contentment, love and joy. The Soul will return in week one next term.
While the Beatitudes of Jesus provide a way of life that promises salvation, they also provide peace in the midst of our trials and tribulations on this earth. One of the first contemplations on the Beatitudes came from St. Gregory of Nyssa, a mystic who lived in Cappadocia in Asia Minor around 380 CE. He described the Beatitudes this way:
“Beatitude is a possession of all things held to be good, from which nothing is absent that a good desire may want. Perhaps the meaning of beatitude may become clearer to us if it is compared with its opposite. Now the opposite of beatitude is misery. Misery means being afflicted unwillingly with painful sufferings.”
Source: www.secularcarmelri.com/the-beatitudes/
The Source and Summit provides prayer resources for personal and professional use by staff. This week’s reflections have been prepared based on the readings of the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - 19 July. They may be useful in leading staff prayer at the start of term 3.
Sunday 19th July | The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 13:24-30
Reflection on the readings of the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr James Foster
- Without You by Wildfire (New Lyric Video) - We are incredibly grateful for all the beautiful pieces of art that were submitted by staff and students. Your artwork has animated and brought the powerful message of Without You to life in this video. All of the work submitted can be viewed in this gallery.
- @Home with Wildfire; featuring Hannah Morson and Laurie Pratt
- Glory Be by Stephen Kirk - Stephen Kirk, friend and collaborator with Lismore Diocese, has been a presenter and worship leader at the Porta Fidei staff retreats over several years. In 2017, Stephen lead our music at Proclaim Lismore Staff 2017 leaving us this beautiful hymn to reflect on the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
These youth ministry offerings provide a number of ideas and initiatives that may be useful to all staff:
- ELEMENTS - Catholic Youth Parramatta
- Online Ministry with Sydney Catholic Youth
- The Meaning of Transubstantiation - This video offers a brief explanation of the meaning of the theological term "transubstantiation" - the process by which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass.
The Student Station will be scaling back as schools move towards a return to normal. These resources remain archived on the Home Learning Site.
Primary Students
Prayer
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions. These will be included in the weekly Divine Mercy Chaplet
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
All staff in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore receive The Soul by email. The link in these emails can be forwarded and shared with family and friends. Alternatively, use this form to subscribe as an additional reader to The Soul mailing list.