47. The Soul
200 years of Catholic Education in Australia was celebrated in the Diocese of Lismore this week. Principals and students from across the diocese gathered together for Mass in St Carthage’s Cathedral in acknowledgement of this significant milestone and the contribution of clergy, religious, lay men and women, parents and parishes who have helped build Catholic education. In a message from the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison, ‘We recall on this anniversary, the good days and the bad, the successes and disappointments: joys and sufferings; as well as the faith and community that has enabled Catholic Education to make this significant contribution to our national life.”
Today is also National Sorry Day. As we remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, may our recognition of our history sharpen our focus on the now, our theme for this week. Now is the time to shape our future. Now is the time to make a new history.
The theme underlying the celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education is ‘faith in the future’. But, what does it mean to celebrate faith in the future?
Pope Francis urges the Church to acknowledge youth and young adults as the “Church of now”. A statement in the Plenary Council Working Document, distilled from the submissions of young people, articulates it perfectly, “[Young People] not only want to be accompanied by the Church, but also want to accompany the Church on its journey, hoping that their contributions can influence growth and change” (Instrumentum Laboris, 58).
When you hear the phrase ‘faith in the future’ what do you think about? Perhaps a hopeful yearning that young people will be established in faith long into the future. Or, a celebration of how Catholic school students, guided by a framework of Catholic values, will benefit the world. The students in our care are the future, but they are also the present. Young people's infectious enthusiasm, hope and desire for greatness has played an integral part in the Catholic Church over the centuries and if given a renewed chance to flourish, their faith will ignite the Church that leads us into tomorrow.
The time is now. Like the disciples gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, invite the Holy Spirit to centre you in the gift of the present. Today our Church can be reinvigorated and become an example of reconciliation as The Spirit continues to guide us and unify us.
Fr Paul Gooley’s Homily
- 200 Year Celebration Mass - St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore
You'll find more photos in tomorrow's edition of The Way.
Good News Story
- Kindergarten Investigations, from St James Yamba. The boys have made a Catholic Church for 200 years of Catholic Education.
Celebrate and Reflect on 200 Years of Catholic Education
- Theme hymn - Faith in the Future (Fr Rob Galea).
The Most Holy Trinity - Year B
Matthew 28: 16-20
- Grammy award winner H.E.R teams up with Gospel Singer Tauren Wells who calls us to place our trust in someone that loves you in Hold Us Together.
- As the month of May comes to an end, we continue to spend time with Jesus through the Holy Rosary and chanting Marian hymns - Ave Maria (As I Kneel Before You).
- Barkindji musician Nancy Bates teamed up with Adelaide musician Ryan Martin John to write this beautiful song In This Together, the theme of this year's National Reconciliation Week.
- For those moments in prayer where your voice is louder than God’s voice, surrender yourself to the Heart of Worship (Brandon Lake Cover).
- Deep listening (dadirri) - Deep listening, sometimes known as ‘dadiri’ to Aboriginal people, "is an inner quiet, still awareness, and waiting". This link provides an explanation of Dadirri and a guide to its practice.
- Ignite FUEL provides weekly Gospel Reflections. Check out this Pentecost reflection and sign up for weekly emails from the home page.
- Catholic Earthcare is a program of Caritas Australia and the ecological agency established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Enjoy reading their first official e-newsletter for the Catholic Earthcare Schools Program here.
- Proclaim Staff Video links.
- World Communications Day, 2021 - “Come and See” (Jn 1:46). Communicating by Encountering People Where and as They Are - Pope Francis
- This week on FORMED - The FORMED team suggests content for the week based on the liturgical calendar, introduces new shows, and gives updates on what is happening at FORMED.
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