Mission Report

by Director of Mission, Mr Geoff Brodie

You send forth your spirit, and they are created,

And you renew the face of the earth. (Ps 104:30).

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, commemorating when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles. The Missal states that the

…event of Pentecost marks the beginning of the time of the Church. During this time Christ is with us in Spirit, defending and guiding us and leading us to the fullness of truth. We, as Church, proclaim Christ’s message in every language and witness to the presence of the Spirit by manifesting the Spirit’s gifts, especially the gift of love.

Last Sunday, the Boarding Community gathered for Mass for the first time in well over a year. Our celebration of Pentecost, led by Fr Rupert Bowd, also acknowledged the start of National Reconciliation Week, which in 2021 has taken the theme: More than a word. Reconciliation takes action. The spellcheck on my computer is suggesting this might read More than a word. Reconciliation acts. This echoes the Missal that states: We, as Church, proclaims.  Seeking only to understand the Reconciliation theme chosen, we might suggest the complementary phrase: We, as Reconciliation, act. Reconciliation, therefore, is understood not merely as a series of actions seeking change in our society, but firstly a change in the depth of our hearts. We are Reconciliation. Perhaps, the

…heart’s desire for Reconciliation marks the beginning of unity with all people. From such a change of heart, which is the gift of Christ guiding us and leading us in Spirit, we have the courage to take the action that flows from the fullness of truth. Reconciliation proclaims Christ’s message in the language that speaks to Australia today, and witnesses the presence of the Spirit by manifesting the Spirit’s call to action, especially the action that flows from love.

St Pope John Paul II, when speaking to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, said:

… for thousands of years you have lived in this land and fashioned a culture that endures to this day. And during all this time, the Spirit of God has been with you. Your “Dreaming”, which influences your lives so strongly that, no matter what happens, you remain for ever people of your culture, is your only way of touching the mystery of God’s Spirit in you and in creation. You must keep your striving for God and hold on to it in your lives”.

You send forth your spirit, and they are created,

And you renew the face of the earth. (Ps 104:30).