29. The Soul
The end of term 3 approaches with special consideration in 2020, as our Year 12 students prepare for their final days in the classroom and the ceremonies that will mark a traditional end of their first 13 years of formal education. Traditions matter, they tell us who we are.
This year, many of the traditions that accompany the final year at school have been compromised, not the least of which are next week’s graduation ceremonies. Some are being live streamed, some are postponed and all are without parents. As we focus on tradition in this edition, the last in our series of reflections on our foundational values, let us pray for our graduating class of 2020 and all of the students in our schools as we open them up to witness through our religious tradition and school foundations.
Sometimes cultures lose a ‘collective memory’; for instance, people fail to remember the true meaning of a national holiday.
The collective memory of the meaning of Anzac Day faltered after Australia left the Vietnam War (a war that went ‘off script’ in the national ‘psyche’) in the 1970s due to ‘war fatigue’. It’s meaning had morphed from remembering our fallen soldiers to a day away from work. Dawn services and memorial gatherings had diminished because people had forgotten the valour, tragic defeat, yet personal sacrifice that had occurred in 1915. However, by the 1990s with a refocus on shared values and meaning regarding the Anzacs, Anzac Day began to revitalise. By the 2000s dawn service numbers swelled both at Gallipoli and in every town across the country and these have become a right of passage among the young… a nation remembered… lest we forget.
Tradition matters and represents a critical piece of any culture. It helps form the structure and foundation of groups. It reminds us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today, and who we are likely to become. When we ignore the meaning of tradition, we’re in danger of damaging the underpinning of our identity and who we are. In a Catholic school this is what it means ’to be Catholic’.
In the Catholic tradition, memory and proclaiming of memory are crucial. Through tradition, ritual and practice, we remember who we are and Whom we believe in. We remember in the Mass, through God’s Word, a sacred story is received, meditated on, contemplated, read and put into effect in our lives. In the tradition of the creed, we proclaim aloud our shared beliefs as a Christian community in the form of core tenets. This is who we are! This is what we believe! This is where we are journeying to! We remember too the words Jesus used at the Last Supper over bread and wine, and God’s coming to dwell among us, particularly in the transformation of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood. This is a living reality.
Without an understanding of such a living two-thousand-year-old tradition, our faith becomes a hollow ritual and empty words. Just like the waning Anzac Days of the 1970s we forget who we are and where we came from. More importantly, we lose sight of where we may be going, and who we are likely to become, and hopefully that is to become saints.
Gary Reen
Assistant Director - SEACS
Faith and Reason
Young adults from around the Diocese meet monthly to discuss important spiritual topics. This month Bishop Greg introduced the relationship between faith and reason, and identified the Church's significant role in scientific discovery. It is by reason that we come to see that "one human life is the most important thing in life." He finishes with an encouragement to be truly and fully part of the world; since faith and reason should not contradict.
- May you Walk by Sarah Hart is a beautiful graduation procession hymn that reminds us to carry the Lord with us at all times.
- Peace be Still by Hope Darst is a declaration of God’s promises over our lives while inviting us to drown away our fears and doubts. Hope explains, “... this is a prayer and a weapon; a prayer of peace over everything you are facing and a weapon of worship to defeat fear, depression, and doubt. God has promised you peace.”
- With different versions already featured in the Soul, we have watched as The Blessing by Elevation Worship has grown from an anthem sung during a dark time to an international prayer campaign. The essence of this hymn aligns perfectly with this week’s focus on tradition. In this orchestral version of The Blessing created by the Passion City Church, we are moved by the depth and powerful expression of God’s blessing over all of us.
Last Thursday saw the second annual #LismMeditates day to coincide with RUOK Day initiated by St Mary’s College Casino. Images from the day from across the diocese have been shared with a sample featured here.
- The Reluctant Saint: The Story of St Joseph Cupertino - With his feast day this Friday, don’t miss this heartwarming and amazing true story of the humble Fransiscan friar who literally rose to sainthood.
- ENGAGING YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH: Engaging Your Catholic Faith is a series of short sessions offering an opportunity to explore your faith through a variety of topics including; Meditation and Prayer, Spirituality, Women in the Early Church, Interfaith Relations, Reading the Church Classics, Eucharist, Science and Religion.
All topics are presented by lecturers of Catholic Theological College (Melbourne). Sessions delivered online via Zoom. See flyer for further details. Registration form.
SHORT COURSES Date: 14/9-31/10/20
- REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP: Journey Catholic Radio is a weekly radio program and podcast developed by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong all about faith, hope, love and life.
As part of the show, Darren McDowell is presenting short segments titled "Leading for Mission". Each segment is around 3 minutes long and is a reflection about different aspects of leadership. These segments are being collated into a Soundcloud playlist.
- PLENARY COUNCIL UPDATE: Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, in his role as President of the Plenary Council, has written a document to help the Church in Australia to better understand the practice of discernment. The paper was seen as particularly relevant given the extra 12 months added to the preparation phase for the Plenary Council, due to the postponement of the Council assemblies.
The video and paper are accessible together on this page of the Plenary Council website: https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/read/
- Sr Anne Henson is from Marian Grove in the Sawtell Parish: This thoughtful and gentle article is from the latest edition of the Sawtell Catholic Care community newsletter.
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions. Each week the prayer intentions are passed onto the Carmelite Sister's at the Carmelite Convent in Goonellabah.
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
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