Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

On 4 October, Franciscan people celebrated the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. On this day almost 800 years ago, Francis passed from this life into eternal life with God. St Bonaventure recorded that, as Francis’s health declined, he “asked to be carried to St Mary of the Portiuncula so that he might yield up the spirit of life where he had received the spirit of grace”. After consoling his companions, “he asked that … the Gospel according to John be read from the place that begins ‘Before the Feast of Passover’ (John 13:1). He himself, insofar as he was able, broke out with the Psalm: ‘I have cried to the Lord with my voice’ (Psalm 142) … At last, when all God’s mysteries were fulfilled in him, the blessed man fell asleep in the Lord” (Bonaventure, “Major Legend,” 14.5-6). Bonaventure adds: “Larks are birds that love the light … but at the hour of the holy man’s passing, although it was twilight and night was to follow, they 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 to the glory of the saint”.

As Francis of Assisi was one of the world’s greatest peacemakers, it is appropriate that, this term, we will focus on the Franciscan value of Peace. Francis understood that, while peace originated with God the Creator, we are called to choose the ways of peace in our own lives. St Francis modelled this through the love he showed birds, wolves, lambs, larks, and worms; women and men suffering from leprosy who were perhaps the most universally despised social group in Francis’s day; and to his own friars, the Poor Clares, the Secular Franciscans. St Francis lived the peace of God in the harmony he sought with all creatures and the respect he showed to others as equals in God’s creation (McCloskey, 2020).

In Home Room this week, our students considered two questions:

How do I live the peace of God in my life?

To what can I commit this term, to bring peace to our world?

Fratelli Tutti

Last week, on the anniversary of the death of St Francis, Pope Francis visited Assisi to release the third encyclical of his pontificate, titled Fratelli Tutti (Brothers and sisters all). This encyclical engages fraternity and social friendship and promotes dialogue, especially among peoples of faith - Christian and non-Christian. Pope Francis also engages a range of justice issues in our world, including migration and human trafficking, political populism and liberalism, and war and capital punishment. The linked article provides an excellent summary of the key aspects of the encyclical. The full encyclical can be accessed on the Vatican website.

Election Statement

The Catholic Bishops of Queensland have released a State Election Statement, The Common Good in a COVID World, calling on Catholics to consider Catholic social teachings as they prepare to vote on 31 October. This is an important opportunity to use our voice and our vote for the benefit of the whole community. The Bishops write, “We have no monopoly on truth, but we offer these reflections in a spirit of solidarity, as people who also have to consider our vote carefully, who can draw upon a deep wisdom concerning the common good and who are called to care for the most vulnerable in our community … We can point to clear and enduring principles which can help us make the kind of responsible judgements that allow us to be both faithful Catholics and good citizens.” You can access the statement here. Additional information, including the launch video and prayer, can be accessed here.

Encounter Program

Next Sunday, 18 September, Kedron Parish will host its second Encounter evening at Little Flower Church, Turner Road, from 6.30 to 8.30pm. If students would like to attend, they will need to register online by using the QR Code on the flyer attached. Encounter Kedron is a partnership between Kedron Parish, Mount Alvernia College, and Padua College, that is designed to engage young people with the Catholic faith in a way that is relevant, life-giving, and compelling.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Next week, we will commence our annual collection for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers. This is something of a college tradition in support of the St Vincent de Paul Conference of Kedron and individuals and families in our local area who are in need at this time. Each Home Room is asked to contribute gifts appropriate for the individual or family they have been allocated, as well as food and toiletry items for the hampers. The collection will be finalised in the last week of term.

Thank You

I extend a sincere thank you to all students and families who contributed items to the Queensland Children’s Hospital Donation Drive and who participated in the Orange Sky Mt A Sudsy Challenge last weekend. These are small but valued ways the college community has continued to support people in need despite the current circumstances. Please see below photos of Jemima Bishop, Year 10, delivering donated items to the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Thank you, Jemima!

Richard Rogusz

From the Futures Hub