The Feast of Saint Francis

On 4 October each year, Franciscan people and the universal church celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is celebrated as one of the great saints because of his deep faith, his devotion to God, his compassion for his fellow human beings, his love and respect for the natural world, and his deep humility.

Saint Francis was only 44 years old when he died. As his health declined, he instructed his brothers to lay him on the ground. Not long before he took his last breath, Francis invited all creatures to praise God, as the saint had so often done in his Canticle of the Creatures. Reflections on Saint Francis’ death end with a few short passages from Saint Bonaventure’s Life of Saint Francis.

He writes:

“At last, when all of God’s mysteries were fulfilled in him, the blessed man fell asleep in the Lord. One of his brothers and disciples saw his soul under the appearance of a radiant star being carried aloft in a shining cloud over many waters on a direct path into heaven… At the hour of the holy man’s passing… Larks came in a great flock over the roof of the house and, whirling around for a long time with unusual joy, gave clear and evident testimony of the glory of the saint, who so often invited them to praise God.”

In commemorating the death of Saint Francis, we are invited to deepen our understanding of his spirituality. It is an invitation to widen our circle of relationship to include all: those we love; those we find hard to love; those who are different; people and creation kept poor; those on the margins of our society and those who do not have a voice. In our Year of Respect, this is what we have been challenged to do.

With only seven more weeks remaining of the academic year, at our assembly yesterday, students were invited to consider how well they have extended their circle of relationship, welcomed others, shown kindness to others and grown a disposition of respect in all that they do, and what more they need to change.

Feast of Saint Francis Liturgies

Next week the College will hold two liturgies to celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis. Firstly, as Saint Francis is the patron saint of Greccio House, Perugia House, Rieti House and Spoleto House, staff and students in these Houses will gather in the San Damiano Centre for a liturgy during Homeroom time on Monday 9 October. It will be wonderful opportunity to reflect on Saint Francis’ life and the inspiration it gives to each of these Houses. Secondly, on Wednesday 11 October, 7.45 – 8.30am, Fr Harry Chan ofm will lead a Blessing of the Animals on the College Oval. All students have received an information and permission letter via email (on Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 October). All are welcome.

Cultural Festival

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all staff and students who contributed to the success of our annual Feast Day and Cultural Festival on the last day of Term 3. Such an event requires the efforts and support of many:

Ms Monica Willoughby and the Cultural Committee, under the leadership of Chiara Pezzetta, our Cultural Captain, for their overall organisation and coordination of the Cultural Heats and Cultural Festival;
Ms Skubi Testa for her support of Ms Willoughby and the Cultural Committee;
The Heads of House, the House Captains and House teams more broadly, for their coordination of the House dances;
The College Captains for their spectacular dance item;
All students who performed in the Cultural Heats and on the day;
Fr Harry Chan ofm for celebrating our Feast Day Mass with us;
The Encounter Team for their music ministry at our Eucharistic celebration;
Ms Daniella Curcuruto and the College Choir for their fine voices as part of our Mass;
Mr David Smith and Mr Wes Taylor for their IT and AV support;
The Maintenance Team for their set up and set down of chairs and equipment and cooking of the BBQ;
Mrs Liz Feltrin for her coordination of the food trucks;
La Cucina staff for preparing a range of other food options for staff and students;
Ms Rasika Flux and Ms Claire Hastings for contributing their creative genius to the face painting stall;
Mr David Pratt for organising the supply of native plants from the Brisbane City Council and coordinating the planting of these on the day;
Ms Liz Sims and the Sprout Squad for assisting with the tree planting;
Mrs Karen Farrow and Mrs Maria Conway for running the Theatre Sports workshop;
Miss Victoria Uhr and Ms Sara Tuan for hosting the Japanese and Italian Games workshop;
The judges of the Cake Decorating Competition, Ms Nicole Bradford and Ms Tegan Hooper;
The judges of the Costume Parade, Mr Alex Bush and Ms Justine Hawkins;
Ms Dani Curcuruto for supervising the Rock Band on the day;
The iCentre staff for setting up the Chillout Zone;
Sophia Papantoniou for setting up the Beach Volleyball net on the Oval;
Isabella Bonaventura, Bridie Davissen and Emily Gardiner for facilitating the Just Dance sessions;
Grace Reise for hosting the Graceful Lights stall;
College staff for supervising and stepping in when required;
All our students for their attendance and enthusiastic participation;
Rainbow Smash and Ruby the Little Red Ice Cream Van for their generous donations from the proceeds of their sales on the day.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Resources on the Voice Referendum

Our Graduate Vision privileges the characteristics of an informed and engaged citizen: curiosity; critical thinking; respectful, robust questioning; and hope. As part of the Homeroom program over the past year, students have read the Uluru Statement from the Heart and explored some aspects of the upcoming Referendum. They have heard how we as a Franciscan community understand the constitutional amendments being proposed, a perspective informed by our Christian faith and the Catholic social justice tradition.

Whatever position our students and families share, as an educational institution we have a responsibility to facilitate learning. Listed below are some resources that I have found personally helpful in understanding the Referendum. Perhaps they may be of interest to you.

The Voice to Parliament by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien (published by Hardie Grant Explore)
An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a Constitutional Bridge by Fr Frank Brennan (published by Garratt Publishing)
Everything You Need to Know About the Voice by Megan Davis and George Williams (published by NewSouth Publishing)
“How do the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ cases stack up? Constitutional experts take a look,” The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/how-do-the-yes-and-no-cases-stack-up-constitutional-law-experts-take-a-look-212364.

In addition, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has published the One Journey, Together website. It contains a range of resources to assist Catholics to draw upon their faith and moral beliefs to make an informed decision. On this site you will also find the Voice Prayer that will be prayed in Homeroom next week as the nation prepares to cast their vote in the Referendum on Saturday 14 October.

Dear Lord

We pray for a bright and just shared future for all who call Australia home.

We ask that Your grace of acceptance and compassion will guide us.

Let the Creator Spirit lead our journey with the

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of this land.

May we share Your Spirit more deeply; celebrate the gifts You have given us.

Help us appreciate true harmony and peace just as our Old People did;

Keep us strong, make us resilient and remember us in this time.

Now is an opportunity to change our Nation’s history for the better.

Walk with us as we write a new chapter together andmay we be one in Your love.

Amen.

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