Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity
Marist Theme 2020
The Marist theme for 2021 is Breathe: The Spirit of Life.
Anthony Clarke, Director of Mission and Life Formation for Marist Australia, reflects:
“In this moment of history, we could not be more aware of how connected we are. An unknown virus spread from a largely unheard-of city to affect every human being on the planet. Pope Francis has been repeatedly reminding us that everything is connected (Laudato Si). I think we can say this realisation is now evident.”
Nothing connects us more intimately than the air we breathe. Life depends upon the exchange of breath between human beings and creation. The average person takes an average of 20,000 breaths each day, this subconscious activity can be easy to forget. Our breathing gives us life. We read in Scripture that God “breathed the breath of life” and created humanity, it is God’s breath, God’s Spirit that gives us life and connects us.
The Marist Theme is depicted in the image by Sharon Williams an Australian Aboriginal woman from the traditional land of the Eastern Arrente people. Ms Williams reflects:
“Creation is bigger than just our planet earth, Creation is about everything in the universe – everything Ngkarte (God) had put there and all those things have Ngkartele Utnenge (God’s Spirit) in them. We are all connected because we all have Ngkartele Utnenge in us. We humans hare very blest because we are able to share in Ngkarte’s creating – when I paint, it is Ngkartele Utnenge who guides me to create something that has never been before, and then Ngkartele Utnenge is that painting. When I care for my children in our families and help them grow – that is the being part of Ngkarte’s creating too. It is very precious to be able to share in Ngkarte’s creating in our Universe.”
As we journey in 2021, let us not forget our relationship to one another, our connection through the air we breathe. Let us make the choice to be a be a spirit of fresh air to one another, where we bring joy, peace, forgiveness and love to the people we encounter.
As we make this journey together in 2021 as a PK-12 community, let us remember God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Life, is walking with us as we strive to be the person God has called us to be. When we are feeling overwhelmed and stress, remember to breathe and recall the words of Jesus who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Looking forward to a great year in 2021.
Shrove Tuesday
On Tuesday the 16th of February in week 3, we will be celebrating Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year’s Holy Week palms, finalising one’s Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes! As such on Tuesday the 16th of February we will be selling pancakes to raise money for the College appeals. Students will be able to purchase pancakes from 8.15am on both the Marcellin and Lavalla Campus. Marian students will be making pancakes in their classrooms and are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation.
Ash Wednesday
As a PK-12 Catholic community, we will be holding a number of celebrations on Wednesday 17 February for Ash Wednesday. This is a significant day in the life of the Church and as such, Liturgies will be celebrated across Marian, Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses. This year ashes will be distribute by a sprinkling over the head of students. This is following the directives and mandate from the Vatican and CEWA.
Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent which is a 40-day season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, almsgiving and prayer. The colour purple is used for all liturgical events during Lent to remind us of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. We look forward to recognising and commemorating this sacred occasion in Week 3.
Project Compassion: Caritas Launch
Ash Wednesday is also the day that Caritas Launch their annual fundraising and awareness appeal – Project Compassion. Project Compassion brings together millions of Australians in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
This year’s Project Compassion theme is: “Aspire not to have more, but to BE MORE”. Each week of Lent, Caritas profiles a person who is involved in a Caritas project and always gives 100%. These stories will be viewed across the College with students being invited to understand the challenges others are facing around the world. In a fundraising effort for this appeal there will be several activities across the College, we ask families to please support generously to this worthy cause.
Thursday Morning Community Mass
Our community Mass will commence once more in Week 4 of Term 1. All families, staff and students are invited to attend this community event that is at the very heart of our Catholic story. Mass begins at 8.10am every week and will be hosted by different Year groups and Guilds throughout the year. Week 4 Thursday 26 February will be hosted by Catherine Guild and Year 5 students.
Year of St Joseph
Pope Francis on December 8, 2020 published an Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart), commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of St Joseph”, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. Resources and information about the Year of St Joseph can be found at the Australian Catholic Bishop’s website here
200 Years of Catholic Education
Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.
Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.
Marist’s arrived 50 years after the first Catholic school was established and began educating students in NSW before coming to WA in 1913. This year as part of Catholic Education we will look to celebrate this important milestone and reflect on the part we have played in growing people of faith for the future.
Resources and more information can be found here.
