Living with Strength and Kindliness

This week I have been following the updates from the Vatican regarding the Synod. Pope Francis announced that the theme for the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023 would be “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”.  

In the preparation and lead up to the gathering of Synod’s, Catholics from across the globe have been asked to dialogue and discern with each other.  As the Pope explained, the word “synod” means being together on the road, walking together and traveling together on a journey. During this time Pope Francis has called Catholics “to go out to sea to search for new peoples, to respond together to the storms and currents they meet and attend to the people and the situations they find themselves in and to trust one another.”

This call requires courage, something we have been blessed to work with this year at St Joseph’s. The themes of the synod are particularly important for our community as we navigate the mission of providing transformative educational opportunities for our community and each other. This important work requires voice from all, particularly our students. 

This past week I spent time with our future College student leaders for 2024. We began to explore what their time in leadership next year could be shaped by and what messages or themes would be their anchor. This process was very much driven by communion, participation and the beginning of their mission.  As we gathered, the students explored what shared communal experiences they brought as a whole, and importantly what differences and gifts they were going to share that would shape their leadership. These students from across Year 10 and 11 are eager to participate and shape what their schooling journey could be like into the future.   

Importantly, these students were also able to courageously draw from the work and legacy of the students before them and how little things done well and consistently can have a lasting impact on a community. What a beautiful foundation they are building on and we can't wait to see what they can achieve next year!

We stand before you, Holy Spirit,

as we gather together in your name. 

With you alone to guide us, make yourself at home in our hearts;

Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. 

Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of you, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. 

Amen.

( Adapted prayer for the Synod 2023) 

Creator God, we thank you for the encounter with one another today. We know that where two or three are gathered, you are in our midst. Thank you for being with us and for the courage to speak boldly and with passion, and the humility to listen with open hearts. We ask you to continue to walk with us, as we discover the pathway toward the future you are calling us to. 

Amen.

(Prayer in preparation for the Synod, 2023)

Lee Pethybridge

College Leader - Faith and Community