Mission

Pentecost - a presence that disturbs and reinvigorates us!

Gifts are often unexpected, surprising and reinvigorating for us as Christians. On Pentecost day, the birthday of the Church, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus who were gathered together in his name. The Spirit descends, marked by wind and fire; powerful elements causing disturbance and intrigue. Language is no longer a marker of identity, or a source of division. Instead it becomes a unifying force revealed to 'people living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven' (Acts 2:5).

The outpouring of the Spirit as 'tongues of fire' was the risen Christ's gift to his church. Given to those he had called to journey with him; preaching, healing, sharing meals with 'sinners', and speaking truth to power. These men and women knew the cost of discipleship, as they witnessed Jesus’ arrest, torture and one of the most violent deaths by crucifixion. Yet just three days later they hear arguably the most significant words in history, 'He is Risen'.

This Pentecost as we hear Jesus say, 'As the Father sent me, so I am sending you' (John 20:21), and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, how do we feel? Joyful, anxious, excited, empowered, peaceful, ambivalent?

As we contemplate the promise of Pentecost, our inner dwelling spirit can be made real through our prayers and actions for peace and justice in our world, “Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.” 

(Psalm 103)

Let us pray…

Your Spirit,

present from the beginning of beginnings,

present in the message of the prophets,

present in provision for your people,

present in the life and words of Jesus,

present in the Cross and crucifixion,

present in the lives of the apostles,

present in the church that you empower.

Your Spirit,

the presence of God

expressed through our hearts and lives

Amen

Welcome to our new Bishop elect, 

Mark Edwards

It is with joy that we share news of Pope Francis’ appointment of Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, as the sixth Bishop of Wagga Wagga. Bishop Edwards, was born in Indonesia and grew up in Adelaide, Darwin and Melbourne, attending St Leonard’s Primary School and Mazenod College. Mazenod was founded by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the order he would eventually join. 

Mark was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and has since held leadership positions within the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. His priestly ministry has been centred on secondary and seminary education, including serving as rector of Iona College in Brisbane and as aspirants’ master and novice master at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave. He joins our Diocese following his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne on November 7, 2014 and ordained bishop the following month. In addition to his priestly formation and theological training, Bishop Edwards completed a science degree at Monash University, where he also obtained a doctorate in philosophy. 

Bishop Edwards wrote to the faithful of Wagga Wagga and described his appointment “as a call from God to be with you and journey with you as disciple, brother and bishop”. “Together, as a community of missionary disciples, we will worship, love and evangelise,” he said. “I am aware that I have much to learn, particularly about parish life and the joys and challenges of being a Catholic in Wagga Wagga. Keen to listen to your stories and those of the Diocese, I come humbly, with deep interest and love. “Please pray for me that I may offer the service that the Diocese needs. I will pray for you.” With great anticipation, we await Bishop Edwards’ installation on 22 July. 

Remembering Illaria Donebus

Next week we will gather with Carroll 8 to remember Illaria Donebus. Illaria would have been in Year 11 this year and it is an important Mater Dei tradition that we pause to acknowledge her memory and spirit, which lives on here at our College.

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

 (David Harkins)

Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission