Mission Report – May 24, 2018

-Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.-

(Matthew 28:20)

This time overflows with the richness of life as a Catholic school.

Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. In St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians we heard proclaimed

No one can say, -‘Jesus is Lord’ unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.

This is one passage that speaks to the nature of a Catholic school: the immediate richness of so many people gathered in the unity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. From Sunday’s Gospel according to Matthew

Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

This is the call for our students who engage with the community beyond the gates of St Patrick’s College. The love of God, the implications of friendship with Christ and a deep concern for our community find expression in our engagement with National Reconciliation Week. Next week will be marked by many special events and also by a prayer repeated each day on our morning messages:

Father,

help us to contemplate the face of Jesus, your Son,

in each person we meet,

that we may experience a new wave of grace

during this Reconciliation Week.

By the light of your Holy Spirit

increase our gift of personal faith and

our respect for all creation.

We ask this of You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

We have also celebrated Catholic Education Week. Among the many possible themes of Catholic education I wish to recall one central tenet: That parents are the primary educators of their child, and the school is invited to share in this intimate responsibility. St Patrick’s College exists in and through this invitation into the formation of sons, who come to know the love of their God, friendship with Christ and the responsibilities of active participation in their human community.

All this calls for an active openness within our heart. The challenge is step aside from the busy routines that may crowd us and provoke only a passive participation, and be transformed by loving moments of prayer and activity.