FAITH MATTERS

During the business of life, it is not always easy to stop, breathe and reflect on the many things to be grateful for. I often find myself asking my students to do this, but the practice of gratitude is not always a part of my day. April 28 was Pay it Forward Day. Pay it Forward Day is a global initiative that exists to make a difference by creating a huge ripple of kindness felt across the world. A small act of kindness, multiplied numerous times, can make a huge difference! Having an attitude of gratitude helps us to identify ways we can be kind to others. 

Year 7 Reflection Day with Gen Bryant

Last Friday, our Year 7 students participated in their first Reflection Day experience. The day was facilitated by Genevieve Bryant, a contemporary Christian musician and youth minister from Melbourne. The impact of her music and ministry combined with her messages of resilience and hope was felt right across the year level. Their participation in the small group sessions was great. We can’t wait to have Gen work with us again!

May 1st - Feast of St Joseph the Worker

In this year proclaimed by Pope Francis as “The Year of St Joseph”, we celebrate the second feast day of St Joseph on May 1st. The importance of work in our lives is picked up in the Feast of St Joseph the Worker. Pope Francis also speaks eloquently of the importance that work plays in any human life:

‘Saint Joseph was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labour.

‘In our own day, when employment has once more become a burning social issue, and unemployment at times reaches record levels even in nations that for decades have enjoyed a certain degree of prosperity, there is a renewed need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron.’

Joseph, by the work of your hands

and the sweat of your brow,

you supported Jesus and Mary,

and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.

Teach me to work as you did,

with patience and perseverance, for God and

for those whom God has given me to support.

Teach me to see in my fellow workers

the Christ who desires to be in them,

that I may always be charitable and forbearing

towards all. Amen

Jesus light of the world guide us

St Joseph journey with us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop pray for us.