Religious Dimension
Advent –
The following piece, written by Nick Brodie, is a reflection on Pope Francis’ teaching about the Season of Advent and what it really means to ‘be on guard’ and ‘awake’ as true disciples of Christ:
Advent is a season best lived in a wakeful way. Pope Francis has characterised it as ‘a continuous call to hope: it reminds us that God is present in history.’ Every year we prepare for Christ’s final return by preparing to celebrate his birth, all while reminding ourselves that he is already present. This season is therefore a time in which every Christian is called ‘to listen to the Lord who knocks’, as the Pope put it. Jesus is knocking already; it is we who need to wake from our slumber and spring into action. The Church isn’t a waiting room. We need to do more than sit and wait. While a season of expectation, Advent is also an annual reminder that the Christian adventure is already underway! Which is what being ‘on guard’ really means. It is not a negative sort of guardedness, closed off from the world. Rather, the gist of Jesus’ message is about readiness, preparedness, awareness. As Pope Francis says, this means we should strive to avoid being ‘overwhelmed by distraction or superficiality’. Admittedly, there is much to be distracted by at this time of year. Yet, in the end life is not measured by Christmas presents but by being truly present. As the Pope says, Jesus wants each one of us to be a person who ‘lives in a full and conscious way, with concern first and foremost for others.’
Christmas Nativity – Thank you to those parents who have already indicated that their children will be available and keen to participate in the dramatisation of the Gospel during Christmas Eve Mass (Sunday 24th Dec. at 6:30pm) Please have a look at your Operoo if you would like to be involved.
To all our students and their families and all of the staff at St Joseph’s, we wish you a very Happy and Holy Christmas and a safe holiday season. I look forward to seeing you all again in the new year.
Jacqui Hayes