Catholic Identity & Mission News
In what is arguably a historical moment in our lives as part of the Catholic Church, the second session of the ‘Synod on Synodality” has come to a close in Rome, with Pope Francis ratifying the final document following a month of discussion, dialogue, discernment and prayer. This document follows a much broader process of consultation that began in 2021, involving the Church around the world – you might have participated in a Synod Dialogue session in your local communities and parishes! One of the major highlights of the document that was published was the affirming that “synodality” is a ‘constitutive dimension’ of the Church – in other words, mutual listening, dialogue and community discernment will be a fundamental part of how the Church operates and will be essential in Church practices moving forward.
It is fitting that this is a major theme of the final document published from the Synod as we undertake our own process of ‘discernment’ as the time has come for us to choose our next Annual Theme for 2025. This job comes down to the work of our college staff and most importantly, our Student Executive for 2025. Deciding on an Annual Theme is an important process. Our Annual Theme, based in scripture, drives everything that we do over the next school year, providing an important lens through which we view our school life and a focus to our prayer, actions and attitudes throughout the school year.
In conjunction to the lens of our Annual Theme, our College patrons also provide another lens through which we can view our work and it is fitting that, as you read this, the Catholic Church is celebrating a special feast in the liturgical calendar in the form of All Saints Day, celebrated on the 1st November.
The Feast of All Saints is a very powerful celebration in the Church. It provides us with a reminder that we are a part of a rich and beautiful tradition that is made up many holy people in both our past and present. Furthermore, it is an opportunity for us as a St Peter’s College community to reflect on the lives of the holy people we celebrate in the form of our eight House patrons and our College Patron, St Peter. Each of these people lived an incredible life that serve as examples of holiness and discipleship in the highest form. However, the beauty of our Patrons is that they weren’t perfect.
We need not look too far for an imperfect person when we see the life of St Peter. Many times, Peter did not get it right. In fact, reading through the Gospels, you may be led to think that Peter got it wrong more than he got it right! However, Peter went on to become the “rock” of the Church, the first leader and Pope in the early Catholic Church, and someone who went on to live a life of holiness and devoutness to God in everything he said and did.
By reflecting on the lives and works of our patrons, we are served a reminder that we don’t need to be perfect. We can make mistakes, and we can have our stumbling blocks. But if we get back up and redirect our focus on what is important, on what is guiding us towards a better life that strives to be a good and worthy disciple of God, then we are on the right path to holiness!
Our Annual Theme for 2024 continues to serve as a perfect reminder, that if we “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly” each of us are on the path to holiness! By doing justice, we are called to ensure that all get what they deserve, which is justice for all. By loving kindness, we are called to allow love and kindness to guide our thoughts, words and actions. And by walking humbly, we are called to let go of the selfishness and the ego in our hearts and put God and others first. It sounds easy but it’s a difficult choice to make! But it is a choice that each of us are called to make and one that we must always strive to if we want to live a life holiness in the same way that the saints did so in their lifetime.
So, as we reflect on our options for our 2025 College Annual Theme, may we continue to always “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly” in everything we do both at school and in our own lives, just like the saints did, so we too can become saints!
Mr Tishan Lokuge
Acting Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission