Living with Strength and Kindliness
Our Opening School Mass, held on Friday the 2nd of February, served a number of purposes. We celebrated the commencement of the year. We also introduced ourselves to the values that will shape and influence the next step in our College’s journey, the Kildare Ministries Values. In our celebration we farewelled our Brigidine Values, those that we have held dear for decades, thanking them for the influence that they have had on the lives of both individuals and the College community as a whole in years gone by.
In 2014 Kildare Ministries officially began their faithful stewardship of St Joseph’s College. In 2018 we will officially adopt the Kildare Ministries values which will guide us as we move forward into this new journey, creating new steps in the history of St Joseph’s College.
During our Mass we also heard about how the theme of ‘Hope’ will play a significant part in our lives this year and how we will be able to practise what we learn when we live out our College Theme for 2018, that ‘Purposeful todays transform tomorrow’ – What an inspirational message challenging us to work toward being the best possible version of ourselves and inspiring us to be people who believe that a sense of purpose can drive any improvement and success in so many aspects of our own lives and in the world as a whole.
Our Prayers of Intercession during the Mass asked for our loving God’s support and guidance as we endeavor to become people who live within the spirit of the Kildare Ministries’ Values.
Let us pray:
Inspired by the transformative vision of the Christian story and informed by the richness of our Catholic traditions we joyfully align ourselves to the values of Kildare Ministries. Today, through Prayers of Intercession we ask for God’s guidance as we open our hearts and our minds to these values.
We pray that we may be people of hope, bringing a sense of purpose to all that we do.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Hope.
We pray that we may be people of Hospitality, welcoming all.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Hospitality.
We pray that we may be people of Courage, speaking and acting with integrity.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Courage.
We pray that we may be people of Justice, making the needs of the vulnerable paramount.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Justice.
We pray that we may be people of Wonder, celebrating all that is good with joy and gratitude.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Wonder.
We pray that we may be people of Compassion, walking with and having empathy for all.
Loving God guide us.
Response: Loving God, guide our hearts and minds to be people of Compassion.
We pray to our loving God. May we walk in your footsteps to image and practise our Kildare Ministries values to everyone we meet. We bring all these petitions before you. Graciously hear and grant them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Kirrilee Westblade
Catholic Identity Leader
Next Tuesday the 13th of February marks the 10th Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's Aboriginal People by Kevin Rudd.
We remember that on this day, Tuesday February 13th, ten years ago the former Prime Minister of this country Kevin Rudd said Sorry to Australia’s first people.
You may wish to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H34Y00HrkUU
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM
Let us pray
‘We Cannot Say …’
We cannot say Our,
if our religion has no room for others and their needs.
We cannot say Father,
if we do not demonstrate this relationship in our daily life.
We cannot say in heaven,
if all our interests are in things and possessions.
We cannot say may your name be holy,
if we do not strive to be holy.
We cannot say your kingdom come,
if we act like we are the centre of the universe.
We cannot say your will be done,
if we are unwilling or resentful of God’s will in our life.
We cannot say on earth as it is in heaven,
unless we are willing to serve and help others.
We cannot say give us this day our daily bread,
without providing for others.
We cannot say forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin
against us, if we continue to harbour a grudge against anyone.
We cannot say save us in the time of trial,
if we deliberately choose to remain in a situation where we are likely to be tempted.
We cannot say deliver us from evil,
if we are not prepared to back up our plea for God’s help with constant prayer
We cannot say yours is the kingdom,
if we do not act as part of that kingdom—responsible, caring, and willing to serve.
We cannot say yours is the glory,
if we are seeking our own glory first.
We cannot say forever,
if we are always anxious about today’s worries and activities.
We cannot say Amen,
unless we honestly say, ‘Cost what it may, this is our prayer’.
Amen.
Author unknown