Mission and Identity
Lights, Camera, Assumption!
Today we celebrated, along with 1.39 billion Catholics worldwide, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. This global Feast Day celebrates the reward that Mary received by being assumed body and soul into Heaven. The College celebrated three Masses over the course of the day at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church. We were privileged to celebrate alongside parishioners and students from Mercy College and Our Lady of Dolours Primary School.
Fr David in his homily highlighted that it is not a reward necessarily for the effort of Mary on her part alone. A 14 year old illiterate girl stuck in the poverty cycle of a backwater town is an unusual place for the reengineering of the cosmos. Yet it is her ‘openness’ to God working through her, her openness to His dream for her and her openness for His dream for the salvation of Creation that ultimately leads to the reward of the Assumption.
As a Catholic school in the tradition of Edmund Rice, Mary plays a central role in our identity. The following reflection adapted from Fr Richard Rohr, “Mary is Our ‘Let It Be!’,” homily (December 21,2014), gives light to why we honour Mary:
'We all need to be told that God loves us, and the mystery of the Annunciation reveals an aspect of that love. But it also suggests that our response to this love is critical. A few verses before the angel appears to Mary in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, another annunciation occurs; an angel announces to an old man, Zechariah, that his equally aged wife is to bear a son who will “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” The couple are to name him John; he is known to us as John the Baptist [Luke 1:11–18]. Zechariah says to the angel, “How will I know that this is so?” which is a radically different response from the one Mary makes. She says, “How can this be?”
I interpret this to mean that while Zechariah is seeking knowledge and information, Mary contents herself with wisdom. . . . Mary’s “How can this be?” is a simpler response than Zechariah’s, and also more profound. She does not lose her voice but finds it. Like any of the prophets, she asserts herself before God, saying, “Here am I.” . . . Mary proceeds—as we must do in life—making her commitment without knowing much about what it will entail or where it will lead. I treasure the story because it forces me to ask: When the mystery of God’s love breaks through into my consciousness, do I run from it? . . . Or am I virgin enough to respond from my deepest, truest self, and say something new, a “yes” that will change me forever? [2]
If Jesus is the representative of the total givenness of God to creation, then perhaps Mary is the representative of humanity, showing us how the gift is received. And I believe that is why we love Mary. She’s a stand in for all of us. When we can say, like her, “Let it be,” then we’re truly ready for God’s dream for us.'
Grandparents' Liturgy
Today in addition to our three Assumption Masses, we celebrated the Junior School Grandparent's Day liturgy at the Oxford Falls Campus.
As the spiritual ‘Grandad’ of the Church, Pope Francis recently celebrated the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on 28 July. In his message for this celebration, Pope Francis reassured the addressees that “God never abandons His children, never.”
He referred to grandparents and the elderly as 'the firm foundation' on which 'new' stones can rest, in order to join in erecting a spiritual edifice (cf. 1 Peter 2:5).”
Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, the greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family’s strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart.
Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren the gifts of faith and wisdom. Grandchildren bless their grandparents with a youthful vitality and innocence that help them stay young at heart for ever. Together they create a chain of love linking the past with the future.
The chain may lengthen, but it will never part…
It is in this light that the liturgy celebrated the tremendous role that grandparents and wisdom figures play in our lives. The following reflection was included on the prayer card offered as a gift to the grandparents and wisdom figures present:
Grandparents:
Equal parts mother, father, mentor, friend.
A grandparent is the most perfect combination
of magic and mischief, of patience and
persistence, of love and laughter.
They are the rock on which you can always lean,
the ones you turn to when you need sound advice;
your favourite storytellers.
They are the first to offer the shirts off their back
and the food from their plate.
When the outside world becomes chaotic,
they’ll remind you to persevere,
reminding you of the strength that is ingrained
in your very being because you are made
from the same fire as they are.
They'll tell you to stop, to slow down
and simply enjoy the present moment;
that life is too short to be anywhere but here and now.
A grandparent’s love is unconditional.
There is nothing you can say or do
that they won't support you through.
May their love be returned to them tenfold for the blessing they are to those who have the privilege to share their journey.
Youth Mass this Sunday
This Sunday at 5:30 pm all are invited to share the celebration of the St Pius X and Mercy Youth Mass at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church Chatswood. Pizza will follow Mass to continue the opportunity to share faith, friendship and food. Please take up the opportunity to refill your inner cup!
God bless,
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity