Liturgy

Community Mass

Thank you to our Year 12 students, as well as Chapel Choir, who prepared Community Mass this morning. Next Friday the liturgy will be prepared by students in Koolyangarra House.

Some families choose the Lenten season to participate in Mass more frequently. During Lent our Friday Masses will have the Scriptures that will be read in the Sunday liturgies. All students and families are welcome – just come to the Chapel at 8:00am on a Friday morning. At the end of Mass, busy parents can get a quick coffee before going off to work or other commitments.

Community Mass details:

College Chapel
Fridays in term time
Starts: 8:00am and concludes 8:30am.

No Community Mass Friday 31 March, due to Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Do you have a child in Year 3, 4 or 6?

It is a special year for these students as they look forward to celebrating the sacraments in their parish with their family.

It is the parent’s right and responsibility to enrol their child in a parish sacrament program, and you are encouraged to get this done at the earliest. Even children preparing for sacraments in a Catholic school still need to be enrolled in the parish if they intend to participate.

Please be mindful that, due to numbers, some parishes (eg Saint Thomas, Claremont) will not be able to accept enrolments from families living outside the parish geographical boundary. Parish sacrament programs may vary, but usually include a workshop and commitment Mass as well as attending the rehearsal.

Please see the College website for enrolment information received from City Beach, Claremont, Doubleview and Subiaco parishes.

The sacrament program is family-focused, parish-based, Catholic school-supported. This means that parents are respected as first educators in the faith of their children and celebrate the sacraments in their parish with their children.

The family is supported by the College Religious Education program. In Year 3, students are taught the content for First Reconciliation; in year 4, the content for First Holy Communion and in Year 6, the content for Confirmation.

If you would like further information about the Sacrament Program please contact:

Mary-Anne Lumley mary-anne.lumley@cewa.edu.au 08 9383 0513
Your parish priest or Sacrament Coordinator
The Archdiocesan website.

Way of the Cross

Many have commented on the beautiful wooden crosses placed around the College campus. They comprise the Way of the Cross, an ancient Christian form of prayer during the season of Lent. Walking and pilgrimage are part of our Christian and Judaic heritage – and walking the Way of the Cross at the College is a mini pilgrimage into beautiful little spots in the College grounds.

Each cross is numbered – there are 14 altogether. People are free to reflect with the crosses in whatever way feels comfortable. There is no ‘correct’ way.

If people would like a more structured walk there are booklets (with map) available in the Chapel – and a QR code is coming! There is a longer walk, with 14 stations stretching from the Library to E Block, and there is a shorter walk, with 7 stations, located around the Chapel precinct.

The Way of the Cross reminds Christians last hours in the life of Jesus and of the great love that God has for humans and for all of Creation by entering into their world and journeying in their human experiences, including pain, suffering and death.

Good News for 2nd Sunday in Lent

Jesus is Transfigured on Mount Tabor

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’

He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear.

But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order. ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’

Just when some of us think Lent is a grim season of self-denial, the Church gives us the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration to put our sacrifices in context. The only reason we deny ourselves anything or commit ourselves to actions of service for these 40 days is to grow more deeply in love with the God who loves us into life. Penance is not meant to attack our self-esteem, it’s intended to help us sort out what really matters, to cast some light in the darkness of our lives and to focus on the relationship which gives meaning and purpose for this world and the next.

The God of Mount Tabor is not interested in each of us feeling isolated as we fulfil the letter of a legal code. God wants all of us to have hearts that listen to the Gospel of love so that we can gain the power to transform the world through the sacrifices of our daily lives.

The reflection for this Sunday’s Gospel is part of a longer homily by Jesuit priest, Fr Richard Leonard. Fr Richard Leonard SJ is the Director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting, is a member of the Australian Catholic Media Council and is author of Preaching to the Converted, Paulist Press, New York, 2006.