Living with Strength and Kindliness

Last Friday as we gathered to celebrate excellence at our inaugural Semester 1 Academic Awards, our school captains, Jack and Mara shared this scripture:

A reading from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:

“And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, and various kinds of tongues.”

St. Paul wrote many letters to his followers and this particular scripture is asking us to use and value the gifts that we have within us all individually in the service of our community and world.   

Last week we engaged in learning and discernment opportunities as staff for our Sabbatical Week. This was in line with our strategic plan, particularly to be witnesses to the life and words of Jesus Christ in all that we do as a College Community.  On Friday all staff and students gathered in House groups to celebrate in prayer. We were blessed to have Father Novi lead some of these in St. Mary’s Parish Church. 

This week the Catholic Church is celebrating World Youth Day. The theme is  “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39). World Youth Day is an opportunity for young people to gather in prayer and celebrate Faith Together. Pope Francis offers this prayer for all as we look to Lisbon 2023.

Our Lady of the Visitation, you who arose and went with haste into the hill country to meet Elizabeth, lead us also to encounter all those who await us to deliver them the living Gospel: Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord!

We, too, will go in haste, without distraction or delay, but with readiness and joy. We will go with peace because those who bring Christ bring peace, and well-being comes from being generous and loving in our deeds.

Our Lady of the Visitation, through your inspiration, this World Youth Day will be a shared celebration of Christ, whom we bring to others, just as you did.

Please make this a time of testimony and sharing, of fraternity and thanksgiving, with each of us looking for opportunities to give to those who are waiting to receive. With you, we will continue on this path of encounter so that our world will join us, too, in fraternity, justice, and peace.

Help us, Our Lady of the Visitation, to bring Christ to everyone, in obedience to the Father and in the love of the Holy Spirit!

Amen

Lee Pethybridge

College Leader - Faith and Community