50. The Soul

The Soul is celebrating its 50th edition! Created at the beginning of 2020 during the first COVID-19 lockdown, The Soul provides support to staff through spiritual nourishment and a focus on well-being. As we continue the pattern of restrictions and face the uncertainty of the future, The Soul remains a place to find support, encouragement, prayer and inspiration. Featured in this 50th edition, themed listen, is Pope Francis’ Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly, further input on the Five Essential Markers for Catholic Education and our regular prayers, music, resources and creativity. Everything in The Soul continues to be available for schools to share further within their communities.

You’ve probably heard the statement, ‘we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.’ But, how often do we really listen? When we are listened to, truly listened to, it comforts, bonds and can even heal. We know the power of listening and yet, we still move through conversations without truly being present to the people in our lives. When was the last time you were having a conversation with someone and didn’t have a list of phrases, advice, stories and other thoughts floating through your mind ready to jump in as soon as there is a pause in the conversation? Listening requires us to follow every word and gesture with a genuine desire to understand. 

As we strive to listen to what the Spirit is saying, the same principle applies. Prayer is communication with God. We place an emphasis on the petition part of prayer (asking God for things and direction). But, prayer is a conversation that requires us to take the gesture of the listener as often as we take the gesture of the speaker. 

The more we genuinely listen to others and to God, the easier it is to listen to ourselves, and the greater our capacity for wisdom, virtue and love.

At the centre of the Foundational Values in the Diocesan Framework, is Jesus. An encounter, understanding of, and friendship with the person of Jesus Christ is central to our Mission. As Christians, we believe that the person of Jesus Christ is the fundamental revelation of who God is for humankind. Jesus Christ reveals the mind and heart of God and this has implications for how we are to live and act.

In Five Essential Marks of a Catholic School Michael Miller states “The Catholic school is committed thus to the development of the whole person, since in Christ the perfect human, all human values find their fulfilment and unity. Herein lies the specifically Catholic character of the school… The gospel of Jesus Christ and his very person inspire and guide the Catholic school in every dimension of its life and activity… as Christ is the Teacher in Catholic schools”.

Miller goes on “A Catholic school, therefore, cannot be a factory for the learning of various skills and competencies designed to fill the echelons of business and industry. Nor is it for ‘clients’ and ‘consumers’ in a competitive marketplace that values only academic achievement. Education is not a commodity, even if Catholic schools equip their graduates with enviable skills. Rather, the Catholic school sets out to be a school for the human person and of human persons." In this, Jesus is ‘the Teacher’, model and truth in how every Catholic school should plan for and educate its young people. As well, to teach in a Catholic school, is to imitate Him within a committed vocational way; this calling extends beyond a regular job.

So as schools navigate their Mission planning, remember we have the greatest model in our Lord to accompany us.

Gary Reen

Assistant Director, School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services

Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis announced the institution of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

Recalling the upcoming feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – when the elderly Simeon and Anna encountered the child Jesus and recognized Him as the Messiah – Pope Francis said, “the Holy Spirit even today stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly.” The voice of the elderly “is precious,” he said, “because it sings the praises of God and preserves the roots of the peoples.”

He continued, “[the elderly] remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generations, to pass on to the young the experience of life.”

The Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly can be found on this Vatican News website.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year B

John 6:24-35

Without Words Album (Bethel Church) - This album ventures into new territory and explores what it is to worship - Without Words. When you find time to listen this week, play this album in the background and see where the Spirit moves in your prayer. 

If you’re a fan of modern dance music fused with alternate rock vibes, make sure to pray this week with I'm Alive (Planetboom). This praise song will get you up and moving in no time.

There Was Jesus (Zach Williams and Dolly Parton) - “...I’m looking back 20 years ago where I had no idea that God was in the moment, that He was even with me through some of the things I had going on in my life. Looking back now I can see that He had His hand in everything I was doing. He was creating a way and honestly allowing me to live through some of these experiences.” – Zach Williams

I’m Listening (Vertical Worship Cover) - a reminder that if God is speaking, then let’s not miss what He is saying to us.

This section of The Soul seeks contributions from readers to feature. Submit a piece of art, a photo, a musical recording or some other form of creative expression with an explanatory caption and The Soul will curate and share a selection each edition. Use this form to share your piece. 

This week we encouraged our Assistant Director to share a piece of his art with us. The result is this vibrant portrayal placing the Holy family in a contemporary Australian setting. Shared for contemplation in prayer in the Year of Saint Joseph, it can be used to highlight the youth of the couple, their occupations, the pressures society placed on Joseph and Mary, and the mystery of God becoming man. 

Thanks Gary!

• The Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop will be celebrated across Australia on 8 August. The Feast is even more significant this year, as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Catholic Education while we remember her contribution to founding and supporting schools across the country. Here are some resources that might be helpful in engaging students in reflection and conversation.

• Caritas - Hear the latest news and stories from work overseas, parishes and schools in Australia in the quarterly newsletter, Caritas News.

• The importance of invitation in a parish’s efforts to evangelise are highlighted in this article from the Catholic Weekly

• The next installment of resources from Liturgy Brisbane is now available: Praying with Children 18 July – 12 September 2021.

• The Australian Catholics Parish Life Newsletter provides topical scripture reflections, news and prayers.