Mission Report – August 9, 2018

In recent weeks, the liturgical life of the College has been a strong presence in our community. The Boarding Community commenced their celebration of their first dinner in the new facilities with a prayerful liturgy in our Chapel. College Chaplain Fr Anthony has been celebrating Mass with our Year 8 students whilst they enjoy their camp. The College community celebrates the Solemnities of St Mary of the Cross (August 8) and The Assumption (August 15) with a whole-school Mass between the two key dates. We are grateful to Fr Anthony for also leading this celebration.

Our liturgical and prayer life invites each of us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, for this relationship conforms us to the person God made us to be. Just as all our friendships shape who we become, a flourishing friendship with Jesus appeals to our desire to be faithful and true and to live for others. In Jesus, we learn to live with and for God – who is the source of all joy.

Prayer, liturgy and especially Mass, are the key meeting points in our friendship with Jesus. It is important then for us to remind ourselves why we gather for Mass.-

Mass is a central practice within the Catholic faith because it satisfies five important needs that every person has.

• The need to take time out to think about the important things in life

• The need to gather as a community to support each other in the adventures of life, and to ask God’s forgiveness for the mistakes we make on the way

• The need to name and recommit ourselves to the shared beliefs and values that have always defined St Patrick’s College, and for which we are responsible for today

• The need to recognise the dignity of every person that we acknowledge in our prayers and actions -“ the dignity revealed in the person of Jesus Christ

• The need to give thanks to God for all the gifts we have received; for gratitude and worship are the proper responses to God- – – –

  There are four basic rites (parts) of the Mass, each equally important to the practice of faith.

• The Introductory Rite begins with each person calling to mind their life, recalling the beautiful gifts of life and joy they have received, and to acknowledge that at times they have not been loving in their response to God and neighbour. We are invited to look honestly at our lives.

• The Liturgy of the Word follows, where we listen to the wisdom of God’s word in the Holy Scriptures. Fr Anthony will speak to us to help us understand the meaning and value of what we have heard

• The third part is known as the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is called the Source and Summit of the Catholic faith. In the person of Jesus our faith begins and finds it fulfilment. In saying yes to Jesus, we are saying yes to God.-

• The final part of Mass is the Concluding Rite that encourages us to reflect upon the Eucharist, and with courage to renew our commitment to live a life of love, truth and joy.

  May God’s love bring us all to the fullness of life

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