Living with Strength and Kindliness

Three Key Things

I have been attending Mass at St Mary’s Church on a Saturday evening for most of this year and it has been a very fulfilling experience for me - it’s nice to change things up a bit.

I think what I like about Saturday evening’s Mass the most is that the service of the Mass is very inclusive of all the participants in attendance. Father Novie ably leads the Mass but members of the congregation are invited to contribute to elements of the Mass in greater ways than I have experienced before. The Prayers of the People, also known as the Prayers of Intercession, or the Prayers of the Faithful, allow parishioners to take the microphone and pray for an intention that is important to them.

There are six specific themes for the traditional Prayers of Intercession at Mass but, although not breaking with tradition, the prays that are shared at these Masses are real, sincere and genuine prayers of the people in the Church at that particular time. Often members of the congregations, when given their turn to share,  pray for those who are sick or those who have passed away, people for whom they wish to express their grief or concern. At other times people pray for less conflict in the world or for a greater commitment to a more sustainable future. No week is the same and I think there is a real sense of people being able to put their own petitions before God.

This week I spoke up and shared a prayer for the students who are currently preparing for their Year 12 Exams. There is a great level of excitement amongst our current Year 12 cohort about finishing school in the coming week. In addition, there is also a level of trepidation around the impending examination period. I know this well and feel it deeply  because I have a Year 12 student in my household. I know that despite all the hard work there is still a lot to do before the finish line is nigh and those exam results are here.  

At Mass on Saturday night my prayer was for all the Year 12s who are embarking on a period of intense revision or those who have completed their VCAL studies and are now considering their future, be it in a workplace or in a new course to study. I asked the Holy Spirit to walk alongside our current Year 12 students as they stand on this important threshold in their lives. My prayer was also one of gratitude, (all of last weekend’s readings focused on being grateful) and while thinking about this theme I was really caught up in the fact that my family has a lot to be grateful for in regard to the support and encouragement that our student has received as part of his last 13 years of Catholic schooling.

Catholic schools have a mission. They are an extension of what the Catholic Church has done for two centuries, they make disciples. Catholic schools provide an opportunity for students to encounter the life and ministry of Jesus, so that they may model his life and values. In doing so, they hope to send their young people out to immerse themselves in and contribute consciously to the world around them. 

Catholic Schools also have an intention to develop the incredible, unique and vibrant gifts of every single student. This process of recognising and encouraging our young people to be the best possible versions of themselves and allowing them to contribute their remarkable gifts to the world around them is part of God’s intention to help all of us become fully human.

And, the Catholic School is unapologetic for holding a Biblical view of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God. Schools are a place of conversation, interaction, lessons, learning and experiences that allow for human flourishing. Catholic Schools work with and serve families with the aim that all those who are connected to the school have the opportunity to grow and become people who  ‘have life, and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

There are many exciting times ahead as we celebrate the Year 12 cohort. Plans are well underway for our Year 12 Graduation Mass which aims to be an opportunity to give thanks for the great contribution that the students have brought to the school and gratitude to all those who have supported them through their journey through Catholic education.

I give thanks for the three key things that Catholic Education sets out to achieve. For what better goals could we aspire for all the young people who pass through our school gates.

Kirrilee Westblade

College Leader – Catholic Identity