Catholic Identity

 Catholic Identity Reflection

 Religious Education Leader - Elizabeth Holligan

Reflection 

4th Sunday of Easter Year B

‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’

These very powerful words are from the John’s Gospel 10:17-18. Jesus freely gave his life so that we could live. As we commemorate the sacrifice Jesus made for us we also note the importance of being called to hear Jesus and act on his message of love. Through exercising our free will we too can choose to listen to what God is asking of us, to listen to God’s call in our world today.

During Term 1 our school community listened to the call and through the efforts of many different people, activities, groups and events raised over $5,200 for Caritas Australia. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. Held during Lent, Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our College.

We remember Jesus gave his life of his own free will, it was in his power to lay it down, so it was in his power to take it up again. As a community we too have free will. May we take up the power of our free will to uphold the dignity of the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. We can choose to take action, it is in our power to do so. Moving on from Lent, may we not forget to exercise our free will to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.

General News

Stations of the Cross – St Anne’s College 

Way of the Cross: Wednesday

The last day of Term 1 saw our school community come together to pray and remember Jesus' Paschal Sacrifice by taking part in a Way of the Cross liturgy. Students from all year levels and staff carried items and symbols, some very personal, representing injustice and challenges in our world today. The cross was carried along a path and place next to the table containing these personal and significant items. Students dressed the cross in purple and red representing Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, then laid the cross bare to represent Jesus' death. 

At each station students paused to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. To finish our stations, Year 5 students dressed the cross in Easter yellow, threw streamers and other decorations into the gathered crowd of students and staff to celebrate the joy of Easter and the Risen Christ for all.

At the end of the Way of the Cross, Year 5 students announced the winner of their Easter fundraiser raffle, and the totals from various Caritas Australia Project Compassion fundraising events was announced.

St Mel’s Parish Stations of the Cross: Good Friday

St Mel’s Parish held their Good Friday Stations of the Cross at St Anne’s College. Over 50 parishioners processed to each of the Stations set up around the grounds.

Caritas Fundraising 

A huge thank you goes out to our school community for your support of our awareness campaigns and fundraising for Caritas fundraiser Project Compassion during Term 1. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. With your support our school community raised over $5,200 for Caritas during Term 1.

Sacramental Program Confirmation and Eucharist – St Mel’s Parish

A group of our students and their families have been taking part in the St Mel’s Parish Eucharist and Confirmation Sacramental Program. We ask for you to keep them in your prayers as they prepare for their Confirmation and Eucharist Mass on Sunday May 19.