FAITH MATTERS

Year 11 Reflection Day

On Tuesday, September 17th (the last week of Term 3) our Year 11 students had their Reflection Day at the Swan Hill Soccer Club. With the theme “We Lead Who We Are”, students had the opportunity to reflect on what leadership means to them, what qualities they have to offer to the larger group and the people who have inspired them so far. Students involved themselves in many activities throughout the day, building bonds and learning how to work together for the benefit of all. 

The reflection day is an important time for students to begin thinking about and preparing for next year. Although not all will be in official leadership positions, they are all leaders within the college in many ways. 

Thanks to the staff for attending and helping on the day.

October - The Month of Mary

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, one of the best-known Catholic devotions. 

October includes the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7). It is a devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who celebrated, travelled and suffered with him.

The best way to celebrate the month is, of course, to pray the Rosary. You might recall a mother/father or grandmother/grandfather having a set of rosary beads. They may have used them at different times like when travelling - praying to safely get to where they were going! Or you might have noticed a taxi driver using them! 

This morning in Chapel, I offered a smaller, 10-bead set to staff (or one decade). Normally a full rosary bead set contains five decades. Praying using a smaller set is a nice way to enter into this time-honoured devotion more simply. 

When we pray the rosary, we reflect on a set of mysteries, which can touch the ups and downs of our own lives as well. 

The Joyful mysteries inspire us to live with trust, connection, and a deeper sense of purpose in our everyday lives.

The Sorrowful mysteries inspire us to face challenges with faith, compassion, and perseverance, trusting that God can bring healing and redemption from pain.

The Glorious mysteries inspire hope, remind us of God’s presence, and call us to live with purpose, faith, and trust in God’s eternal promises.

The Luminous Mysteries call us to live with purpose, deepen our faith, and embody love and service in our daily lives.

The rosary consists of repeated sets of three traditional prayers: Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be.

• The Our Father is the prayer taught to us by Jesus – God as ‘Father’ is the protector and source of all life.
• The Hail Mary invites us into the wonder and awe that Mary felt when she pondered all these mysteries in her heart. (Lk 2:19)
• The Glory Be reminds us that the whole of life is held in the embrace of the Trinity.

The rosary appeals to many. It is simple. The constant repetition of words and the tactile fingering of beads help create a calming atmosphere that can counterbalance our often stressful lifestyles. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in our ability to be centred and we learn to trust that God will bring us through difficult times to inner peace.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death,

 Amen

Jesus, light of the world, guide us.

St. Joseph, journey with us.

St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

Alison Wright

Director of Faith and Mission