FAITH MATTERS

‘Mystery and Mission’ Conference, 2023

Over the school holidays I had the opportunity to head to Brisbane for the Australian Pastoral Mission Network & National Liturgical Council’s 2023 ‘Mystery and Mission’ Conference. It was an awesome three days, hearing from keynote presenters and workshop facilitators. Moreso, it was an amazing opportunity to meet other educators and catch up with old friends who work in education, music ministry and theology. 

Three fantastic workshops I attended were by Ryan Gato, Elizabeth Fort and Michael Paton. Ryan’s workshop highlighted current experiences of how young people in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle perceive liturgies. Elizabeth spoke on the importance of constructing prayers of the faithful in a simple and direct manner. Michael shared about the use of music to support the experience of Mass for young people. It was reassuring that many people who work in secondary schools and parishes see similar challenges in leading congregations, and want to address them with a passionate zeal! 

International speakers like Dr Timothy P. O’Malley and Sarah Hart really evoked the heart behind the conference’s theme of ‘Mystery and Mission.’ Tim spoke of liturgy as the divinisation of creation. In essence, this means that God became man (through Jesus) so that humans can become more like God. Applying this to the liturgy, it is an opportunity to express our thanks to God, and emulate His qualities. Further, he said that “it is through the heart of Jesus that we can understand equality.” What a beautiful way to understand liturgy as a place where people come together as equals, leaving their titles and social status aside! 

Year 11 Reflection Day 

On Friday 6th October, our Year 11 students had their Reflection Day at Swan Hill Soccer Club. Students had the chance to reflect on what leadership means to them, and people who’ve inspired their journey so far. The day was led by Ms Howison, and students had a chance to think deeply about the school values, their values and how to strategise well for the year ahead. 

It’s important that students in Year 11 take time to prepare themselves ahead of Year 12. This is not just to be academically minded, but also to prioritise their mental health, social life and physical wellbeing. Balancing all three is the task of all leaders, to ensure a holistic lifestyle. This isn’t merely for those who are appointed to an official position as a student leader at MacKillop, but all students. 

We concluded the day with a liturgy on leadership, with the words of the prayer as below: 

Leadership is hard to define. 

Lord, let us be the ones to define it with justice. 

Leadership is like a handful of water. 

Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.

Leadership is not about watching and correcting. 

Lord, let us remember it is about growing, listening and connecting. 

Leadership is not about telling people what to do. 

Lord, let us find out what people want.

Leadership is less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

Lord, as we move into the end of the year and look forward to 2024, help us to be affirmed by the servant leadership we witness in your son Jesus.

Let us walk in the path He has set and let those who desire, follow.

Let our greatest passion be compassion. 

Our greatest strength, love. 

Our greatest victory, the reward of peace.

In leading let us never fail to follow. 

In loving let us never fail.

Thank you to Ms Catherine Howison, Mr Joel Murphy, Mr Chris Joyce, Ms Jessica Curtis, Mr Jeremy Wood, Mr Jesse McDonald, Mr Luke Crow and Ms Jennifer Salvo for attending and facilitating the Year 11 Reflection Day.

Referendum 

Whilst early voting polls are now open, Saturday 14th October is the official day of voting for Australia’s upcoming referendum to the proposed law: “To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.” 

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC)  have issued a statement, to promote a Catholic approach to voting in this referendum. They have encouraged us to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and to vote with an educated perspective. In applying Catholic Social Teachings, we can imply that the ACBC advocate for a promotion of the common good, subsidiarity and participation. I encourage everyone to have a read of their statement here. 

Catholic organisations such as MacKillop Family Services, St Vincent de Paul, Caritas Australia and Jesuit Social Services have also presented statements supporting constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

I also commend Bishop Vincent Long OFM’s heartfelt pastoral letter on the great need to address many issues facing First Nations People. 

Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge has urged people to “prepare to vote in a way that looks to the Gospel and, whatever the result of the Referendum, to commit to redressing the chronic disadvantage suffered by the Indigenous peoples and promoting reconciliation for the good not just of some but of the whole nation.” 

I hope that the result for this referendum is a much needed wake up call for all Catholics to not just talk about social justice, but to be proactive advocates in upholding the dignity of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.