From the Religious Education Coordinator

In our Church……………

The Celebration Of Easter

This week the Church celebrates Easter and the 8-week Easter period.  In this newsletter we explore the development of this central festival in the Catholic Church.

Easter

By the second century the weekly assembly came to be complemented by an annual celebration of the paschal mystery.  At first this Christian Pasch was celebrated in accordance with the Jewish calendar for Passover, on the 14th day of the month of Nisan, which could be any day of the week. After much controversy it was decreed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 that the commemoration of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection should be held on Sunday rather than a weekday. 

The annual feast of Easter quickly carried over into a week of celebration which further developed into a season of fifty days.  Throughout this time the church rejoiced in the one great mystery of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.  It revelled in the new life of the Spirit.  But the integrity of this unified season was lost when the Ascension of the Lord began to be celebrated on the fortieth day, leaving ten days to be spent waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Development of the Triduum

The Easter celebration itself took the form of a night-time vigil, preceded by days of strict fasting.  Once it was transferred to Sunday, the service began to focus more exclusively on the resurrection of the Lord.  Accordingly, the preceding days of fast developed an identity of their own.  Good Friday came to centre on Jesus’ death, Holy Saturday on his burial.  The once unified remembrance of the paschal mystery broke up into a series of separate observances.  Later developments led to the Vigil being celebrated on Holy Saturday morning, with the addition of Holy Thursday creating a new Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The evolution of these rites was aided and abetted by widespread imitation of the liturgies of 4th century Jerusalem.  The Holy City had become a popular pilgrimage site.  Devout Christians who visited during Holy Week experienced a series of liturgical events at sites associated with Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.  On return home they introduced some of these rituals to their local churches.  A number of them, such as the veneration of the cross, survive to this day.

All this enables the whole Christian community to be immersed in the whole saving mystery of Jesus Christ: his ministry, suffering, death and resurrection, glorification and sending of the Holy Spirit.  In this mystery the church becomes “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,” called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light in order to proclaim God’s mighty works (1 Pt 2:9).      Taken from: https://www.catholicaustralia.com.au/the-sacraments/lent.

In our Community……

Year 12 Retreat

Last week, the Year 12 students were extremely fortunate to be able to attend their Year 12 Retreat at The Hermitage at Mittagong. 

The students unpacked the theme of integrity with a focus on vulnerability, trust and courage. They were challenged to explore these themes through a variety of activities that pushed them out of their comfort zone. The Year 12 students were also challenged to recognise the worries and struggles they have been facing this year with a focus on overcoming these challenges through guidance, support, and the presence of God in their life. We had a wonderful time and the weather and scenery were beautiful. The Year 12 students were also able to relax, taking time out of their busy lives and reconnect with themselves.

I would like to thank Mrs Rebecca Bombaci, Ms Angela Bowland, Ms Brooke Cleggett, Mrs Carolyn Criss, Mr Andy D’Archy, Mrs Michelle Johns, Mrs Maria Del Moro, Mr David Greenwell, Ms Leoni Hopkins, Mrs Joc Kemp, Ms Emma Pracey, Ms Grace Spurr and Ms Jenny Vu for their time and experience in helping and leading the students through the Retreat. A huge thank you to Ms Samantha Ison for running the second retreat and I would also like to thank Father Brian and Father Aliki from the Holy Name of Mary Parish who celebrated mass at The Hermitage. 

Staff Spirituality Day

On Monday the Marist Sisters’ College staff gathered together at The Hermitage Mittagong for our Staff Spirituality Day. 

Staff had an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition with a focus on the theme ‘Created and Called: A revolution of Love and Tenderness.’ Throughout the sessions we were able to build on our faith by looking at Mary and the qualities we see in her: humility, tenderness and concern for others. To end our Spirituality Day, we had the opportunity to have small group discussions looking at issues around: Beauty, Joy and Wellbeing,  Peace and Simplicity, Ecology, Leadership and Solidarity. Thank you to Ms Samantha Ison, Mr Andrew d’Archy, Mrs Rebecca Bombaci, Mr Daniel El-Hage and Mr Travis Desborough for leading the small group sessions.

A huge thank you to Mr John Hickey from The Mission and Life Formation Team at The Marist Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat for running the Staff Spirituality Day.

Stage 3 Faith Formation Retreat

Students from Marist Sisters were invited to participate and assist in a retreat day with the Stage 3 students from St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Denistone. Amy Davis and Katelyn Kessecker attended this special day which was held at St. Joseph’s Baulkham Hills.. They supported the teachers in enhancing the Stage 3 students’ faith and deepening their relationship with God. 

Our Marist students were encouraged to share how they relate and connect to the rich teachings from the Parable of the Good Samaritan to support the Stage 3 students. They were asked to make connections from the Parable of the Good Samaritan to their Marist charism and what is expected of them as a student in a Marist school. Amy and Katelyn were able to showcase Witness.

Mr Justin Salar, the Religious Education Coordinator at St Therese’s Catholic Primary School

Denistone congratulated both Amy and Katelyn on being very respectful and fully engaged in the student faith formation experience. They co-led reverently with the Marist College, Eastwood secondary students in prayerful experiences. Congratulations Amy and Katelyn for being Marist Women of Action.

SAVE THE DATE

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2