Catholic Identity

‘Let the words you speak be full of grace’ Our theme for the year reminds us of Jesus’ teaching to show God’s grace in all we do and all we say. Pope Francis reminds us to speak the truth in love being mindful that words have the power to break or connect communities.

In a pluralising and secularising world, our Catholic communities are called to be places of welcome for all who gather, and at St Anne’s College we are blessed to have a growing and welcoming community. We invite all to dialogue and encounter with self, other and God, made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Our first term is eventful and there are many important Sacred events that take place during this time.

Opening School Mass. St Anne’s College students, staff and Fr Peter will celebrate the new school year with the opening Mass, Tuesday February 14 on site at our beautiful College. This is an exciting time with many new students having joined us at St Anne’s College this year.

Ash Wednesday falls on February 22 this year. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season of 40 days. During this time, we are encouraged to reflect, sacrifice, and reconcile with God. The Easter Triduum of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday completes the Lenten season and is the high point of the Catholic Liturgical Year.

Project Compassion takes place during term 1. Project Compassion provides an opportunity for our community to get involved in hosting fundraising, community awareness and support for those not as fortunate as us. For over 55 years, Caritas Australia has worked hand in hand with the most marginalised and remote communities in Australia and overseas to confront the challenges of poverty. We are asked this year to say ‘yes’ when we hear God’s invitation to confront the challenges of poverty ‘for all future generations’, as Mary said ‘yes’ and freely accepted God’s invitation. Say ‘yes’ and put compassion into action by making a life-changing impact and creating better opportunities so that future generations may live to their full potential and thrive.

Gospel Reflection:

This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time. The Catholic Church Liturgical year is split into seasons. The season of Advent, season of Christmas, season of Lent, season of Easter, and Ordinary Time. The Sunday readings are then on a three-year cycle: A, B and C. This year we are in cycle A and so the Sunday Gospel readings will feature the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospel of Matthew was written for a mainly Jewish community following the teachings of Christ. Much of the language and discussion links to Jewish teachings and the Torah to those of Jesus’. This week we read Jesus asking us to connect with our deepest selves, to reject those actions that weaken our relationship with God and each other, we have to understand the root of these actions deep within us. For Jesus, daily prayer and reflection (what we might call an ‘examination of conscience’) are the necessary path to this inward understanding, along with recognition of our dependence on God. What role does daily prayer and self-reflection play in your life?

- Elizabeth Holligan, Religious Education Leader