33. The Soul
As 2020 rolls on there are promising signs of a return to some normality with the easing of restrictions in many States and the hope of open borders appearing closer to realisation. The effect of these changes will see a long-awaited boost in confidence within the community and hopefully relieve the financial pressure on business owners and its related stress on families. At this time we remember in particular our fellow citizens in Victoria and continue to pray for relief.
We focus our prayer this week on the Solemnities of All Saints and All Souls as we continue our exploration of the Porta Fidei staff retreat themes. In this edition we focus on Kerygma, a term that is becoming more central as we recommit to our role of evangelization within our schools and beyond.
To gain an understanding of the meaning of Kerygma we would do well to start with Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (2013), heralded across the world of Christendom as a landmark address providing an exciting message for its followers. This message is based on how to live in a world of increasing secularity while heeding the call of St Pope John Paul II for engagement in a new evangelisation.
Evangelii Gaudium (EG) provides the church with creative alternative strategies of evangelisation. Rather than a new gospel, this document reinforces the importance of Kerygma; the proclamation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and an encounter with Christ relevant to a contemporary mind. The Kerygmatic approach emphasizing this basic proclamation was evident in the early Church as the Apostles were inclined to preach the basics, and then to draw those who were moved to surrender and follow by this encounter into the deeper mysteries. Today we propose this approach as ‘evangelisation before catechesis’. Pope Francis calls us to be fluent in the basic understanding of the Gospel message, through the Kerygma. The Kerygma “needs to be the centre of all evangelising activity and all efforts at Church renewal” (EG 164).
Pope Francis tells us that he never tires of quoting Pope Benedict XVI, “ Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction” (EG7). What then can we do in our schools to foster this encounter in our students and colleagues? The Kerygma is the answer to this question. “It is the principal proclamation, the one which we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level and moment” (EG164).
Further reading on the Kerygma can be found in these useful documents:
Never Stop
The new Wildfire song Never Stop was launched last week. To accompany this launch schools are invited to interact through contribution to a montage video.
Staff are invited to submit a video of students in their classes lip-syncing, dancing and creating actions to the song. Submissions can be made via this google form link or via email to School Evangelisation Consultant, Matt de Dassel <matt.dedassel@lism.catholic.edu.au>.
Danny and Laurie explain in this short clip.
A folder of resources has been created to assist schools in using Never Stop to support the evangelising mission of the school.
- If you enjoy blues, jazz or easy listening music, check out Lucy Grimble’s worship song, God’s Heart Explodes. It will keep you moving while lightly speaking into God’s never-ending pursuit for a relationship with us.
- To help pray about what Kerygma means to you, here is a modern version of the classic hymn, What A Friend We Have In Jesus.
- He is Love (also written by Lucy Grimble) is a beautiful reflection hymn to help you fall deeper into understanding Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- Another Slice of Pizza - Are you looking for more quality Catholic content which helps young people grow in their faith in a way that is real, raw, and relatable? Diocese of Lismore YMO alumni, Zac Parnell reminisces about the quality conversations he had over a slice of pizza at his High School youth group and encapsulates that atmosphere as host of the Catholic video series Another Slice of Pizza. The high-quality online show, podcast & resource is available for you to use with young people for free. Suitable for young people of all ages and faith backgrounds.
- Matt Fradd talks about the rosary while taking us on his journey of learning what it is and how powerful it can be.
- Faith in the Future (NCEC Virtual Symposium) - a free ticketed event for educators and leaders in Catholic schools, education offices and universities this Friday 30 OCT 2020 11.30AM - 2.30PM. Program and registration details can be found in this flyer.
- Leadership for Mission Program (2021-2022) - is designed by and for women who are inspired by the Gospel vision of justice, freedom and the dignity of the human person. The program offers both academic and formative opportunities for young Catholic women aspiring to be leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour. To find out more about the program, costs and applications visit the National Centre for Evangelisation website. Applications close 30th October 2020.
- All Saints Day - The Solemnity of All Saints falls on Sunday, November 1. Prepare for this wonderful feast with the professors and friends of the Augustine Institute in this special category of reflections on the saints.
- Questions About The Mass - Many of us have been to Mass or go to Mass often and yet still wonder: 'Why do Catholics do the things they do at Mass?' Or 'Why is the Mass so important?' In this week’s offering at The Well, Fr Chris del Rosario joins the team as they chat about the Mass.
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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