Mission & Catholic Identity News

Not to be served - but to serve

As a Catholic community leading up to Easter, may we take time to reflect upon the significance of the action to reach out to the other. In the first months of this year we have witnessed extraordinarily events: destructive bush fires and COVID-19 that have challenged many people in Australia. Nonetheless, in the midst of this devastation we have witnessed remarkable acts of kindness, generosity and hospitality.

Lent, as a time of contemplation, encourages us to take this time to truly reflect upon these personal and intimate feelings so that we may realise the potential of our own life and what it means to us as Christians. The Jesus story is a rich and inspiring ministry that is based upon the importance of reaching out to the other, particularly in times of great difficulty, sickness, devastation and sadness. Jesus entered our world and showed us how we can allow God to work within us, to reach out to the other in selfless ways. His life models for us a call to enact our deepest centre, so that we can attain our potential. May we be open to modelling our life on Jesus - ‘not to be served but to serve’.

The importance of Holy Week

At St. Peter’s College we will have student led Stations of the Cross presentations at both Cranbourne and Clyde North campuses on 25 March 2020. The reflections will give thought in that we greet Jesus as a King on Palm Sunday, yet by Friday, he is dead. Whilst we know the end of the story, his followers did not and they were wrought by grief and dashed hopes.

The days of Good Friday and Holy Saturday are perhaps the most important days of reflection and prayer in the whole year for us, as Christians. They offer us insight into, as St Paul says, the hope that is within us. How do we cope when nothing makes sense?

When we are going through challenging times, how do we endure those experiences of incomprehensible questioning and doubt that life will ever be normal again? It is Paul again who assures us that God's grace is sufficient for us, and it is in that knowledge that hope is possible.

The events of Holy Week are not just a week in history. They are an insight into the human journey - a journey of exultation and pain, of friendship and broken relationships, of healing and of faith, and always, of being held in the ever-present love of a caring God.

Have a blessed Easter.

Upcoming Events:

1. 19 March 2020 - Romero House Mass (CRA & CLN)
2. 25 March 2020 - Stations of the Cross
3. Breakfast Club – weekdays at both CRA & CLN (8:15 am - 8:40 am)
4. Project Compassion collection till 26 March 2020.

Matthew Williams

Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity