67. The Soul
We have just stepped over the halfway point of the term, heading towards the middle of the year. While the last two terms have seen us experience things we didn't think were possible, the terms ahead are brimming with possibility and excitement, if we dare to dream, trust and imagine.
In this edition of The Soul, we look at the theme of possibility; what it is, how we see it in our everyday lives and who dwells in it.
The Oxford Dictionary defines possibility as a thing that may happen or be true; the fact that something might happen or be true, but is not certain. It is the uncertainty, the ‘may’ and the ‘might’, the element of doubt, the ‘this way’ or ‘that’ and the choices that are presented to us, that have the power to light a fire or to extinguish a spark within each of us. St Catherine of Siena, a doctor of the church once wrote, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Here was a woman who understood potential and possibility. The potential each of us has when we open ourselves to the power of possibility, given to us by God the Creator.
Imagine a world without possibility: inventors wouldn’t have invented, dreamers wouldn’t have dreamt and artists wouldn’t have created. If Benjamin Franklin didn’t believe in the power of possibility we would not have electricity. If Alexander Fleming didn’t wonder at the possibilities science could offer, we would be without penicillin and if Michelangelo didn’t see possibility in a block of marble, we wouldn’t have the statue of David. Here, we have three famous examples of people who set the world on fire, who dared to imagine that something was possible and proved it to be so.
Jesus dwelt in possibility. He shows us that all things are possible with God. When Jesus challenged the people of his time, he was also challenging us to think beyond the scope of who and what we are, to who and what we can become. He challenges us to think about what might happen or what may happen, when we step into a place of uncertainty and fan the spark into a flame.
Wildfire launched New Eve, their newest single, at the 2022 Lead Conference. Students and staff sang the Marian song after praying a decade of the Rosary together for morning prayer. Traditionally, the month of May is considered the ‘Month of Mary’ where Marian Devotion is celebrated daily. New Eve pairs beautifully with the Rosary, so grab a pair of Rosary beads and listen on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
- Never Lost (Cain Version) - In our prayers this week, we turn to our Father who can do ALL things.
- All Things Are Possible (Hillsong) - When our feet are planted with Jesus, our rock we know that all things truly are possible.
- Restless (Audrey Assad) - The possibilities are endless when we rest in God.
This week we are sharing culturally authentic services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees developed by leading Australian mental health organisations. These include iBobbly, 13YARN, Wellmob,Yarnsafe and the MindSpot Indigenous Wellbeing Course. Click here to view a PDF for links and more information.
Living as a family and raising children would have to be one of life’s experiences most filled with possibility and hope. In a world that can sometimes overwhelm us with pandemics, natural disasters and unexpected and life altering challenges, families need a firm hold of hope and possibility more than ever. Hope inspires belief in a better future and empowers action to make that future happen and it’s both critical and wonderful to grow the sense of possibility and hope that reaches beyond optimism and wishful thinking and helps your family thrive.
Use this resource with your family to focus on hope and possibility.
- A great initiative to acknowledge and show gratitude to the community from St Mary's Primary School, Casino - The Walk of Flame.
- The annual LEAD Conference for Year 11 and 12 Youth Ministry Students was held at McAuley Catholic College, Grafton on 19-20 May. Over 170 participants, keen to be part of their respective school Senior Ministry Teams, were engaged with festival activities, workshops, keynote speakers, peer-to-peer testimony, praise and worship, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass. LEAD is facilitated by Catholic Schools Office Mission Services and is supported by clergy, the Wildfire worship team, Youth Ministry Officers, school staff and YMO alumni. The excitement, atmosphere, depth and energy of the program has been captured beautifully in this short video.
- MacKillop College, Port Macquarie gathered as a school community to observe National Sorry Day, an Australia-wide observance held on May 26 each year. Highlights of the gathering are found on the school Facebook page.
- One Catholic Teacher daily content from Jonathon Doyle. Each day you do remarkable work as a Catholic teacher transforming the lives of young people. This website exists to encourage and support the thousands of 'one Catholic teachers' who wonder if their work is making a difference. A great place to start is by checking out an episode of Jonathon’s daily podcast.
- Connect@home - Receive a daily email with a link to the readings of the day and a reflection from the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.
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.