From the Rector

Greetings: 

It is great to be able to write to you all again in the second last week of our College year. On October 19, just as the College seemed to be regaining some sense of normality, I collapsed at home and was taken to Monash Hospital.  Unexpectedly, I ended up spending just over a fortnight in hospital and until now I am recovering at home as I am still not 100%. Hopefully, I will regain some strength to join our students in some of their final activities for 2021.

This Sunday is the Advent of a new year in our Christian calendar. The word "advent," from the Latin adventus (Greek Parousia), means "coming" or "arrival." The Season of Advent marks the 25 days, or four Sundays, before Christmas. The readings for the new liturgical year will be from the Sunday Cycle Year C and Weekday Cycle Year 2. The scripture readings and prayers not only prepare us spiritually for Christmas (his first coming), but also for his eventual second coming.

There are two symbols for Advent.  The circular Advent wreath, represents God's infinite love, and is usually made of evergreen leaves, which "represent the hope of eternal life brought by Jesus Christ”. The Advent Candles within the wreath represent the four weeks of the Advent season as well as "the light of God coming into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ" with one candle lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the colour violet is the seasonal liturgical colour of the vestments and signifies a time of prayer, penance, and preparation. The third candle (3rd Sunday of Advent) is pink and symbolizes the liturgical colour for joy and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

Gospel reflection: In this Sunday’s gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus Himself calls us to prepare for His Second Coming. Jesus exhorts His followers to be prepared, remaining awake and “vigilant,” to not be caught by surprise when Jesus returns. If we are prepared, the return of Christ will be a joyous day, for on that day our “redemption is at hand.” Therefore, the Second Coming is something to look forward to. If we are, however, unprepared, then Jesus’ return will catch us “off guard.” During the last couple of years, we have been caught “off guard” as we have experienced the pandemic which has left us suffering “anxieties of daily life” more than usual. We have experienced the anxieties of COVID, losing our freedom with curfews and travel restrictions, passing of family and friends and not being able to celebrate their lives, isolation from family and friends, issues around vaccinations, loss of jobs etc. Hopefully, this Advent Season will be an opportunity for us to take stock by taking a deep breath and reflecting on what is important rather than rushing around madly for Christmas presents and buying for the Christmas lunch. 

Advent is a reminder to open our spiritual eyes to God’s presence amongst us and focus on what really matters: knowing, loving, and serving God. In the end, this will be all that matters! The gift of our spiritual life will last forever, all other gifts we receive will have their use-by date. 

A thought for Advent: 

What needs to change in my life to be ready for that encounter with Jesus? What steps can I take this Advent to make those changes, asking God for the grace to do so?

A Prayer that will help:  

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference....

Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, 

serenity to accept what cannot be helped, 

and the insight to know the one from the other.  Amen.

A Gift of Hope

One of the biggest questions we face in preparation for Christmas is: “What present will I buy for so and so?” When we think about it most of us already have what we need and, at times, even more. Why not try something different this year? Why not give a meaningful gift that keeps on giving for the entire year and beyond? The Oblates offer gift cards of your choosing that can be purchased to assist our brothers and sisters in our Oblate Missions whilst indicating to your family members the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of love for others who have so little. When our families receive a gift such as this, it certainly becomes a talking point and makes them stop and think. Cards for various amounts and missionary endeavours can be purchased from the college reception and are tax-deductible. 

Have a smile!

Maybe a Christmas gift?

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector