From the Religious Education Coordinator
In our Church ……
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (7th June)
In Catholic churches and homes, one of the most popular images of Jesus is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the image of God’s love revealed in the pierced heart of His Son. It is the symbol of a love that conquers sin and transcends death, the symbol of the One who loved us to the end.
The Friday that follows the Second Sunday in Time After Pentecost is the Feast of the Sacred Heart which brings to mind all the attributes of His Divine Heart mentioned above. Many Catholics prepare for this Feast by beginning a Novena to the Sacred Heart on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is the Thursday of the week before. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart itself, we can gain a plenary indulgence by making an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart.
From the earliest days of the Church, “Christ’s open side and the mystery of blood and water were meditated upon, and the Church was beheld issuing from the side of Jesus, as Eve came forth from the side of Adam. It is in the eleventh and twelfth centuries that we find the first unmistakable indications of devotion to the Sacred Heart. Through the wound in the side, the wound in the Heart was gradually reached, and the wound in the Heart symbolized the wound of love.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Prayers of Intercessions to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Open our hearts to receive your abundant gifts:Make our hearts like yours.
Open our hearts to welcome all our sisters and brothers as your beloved friends:Take away from us all prejudice and hardness of heart.
Open our hearts to feel the pain of your suffering people: Turn our good intentions into acts of justice and mercy.
Open our hearts that we may speak for those whose voices are faint:Give us the courage to challenge those systems and behaviours that compromise the dignity of people.
Open our hearts to forgive those who have caused us injury:Let us grant forgiveness to others as God has granted forgiveness to us.
In our Community ……
Youth Afternoon
The Youth Afternoon at Marist College Eastwood was a great way to explore my faith by connecting with like-minded individuals from different schools. The talk by Sydney Catholic Youth (SCY) was based on how hope and faith tie in with our relationship with God and it was really insightful to hear what other people’s perspectives were on the topic. At the end of the talk we were given the opportunity to ask the local priest, Fr Steve Drum and members of SCY questions regarding the faith. It was really nice to see how many people around my age wanted to become more connected to God. I would definitely go again!
Sofia Vella, Year 10 student
The next Year 7 and 8 Youth Afternoon will be on Friday, 16 August.
Archbishop’s Student Leadership Lunch
On Tuesday, 28 May, our MSCW Liturgy Captains, Melodie Brown and Gabrielle Foster attended the SCS Archbishop’s Student Leadership Lunch at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This event gathered young leaders from across the Archdiocese of Sydney as an opportunity to come together for fellowship and discussion on the topic of ‘The Importance of Prayer in the Life of a Leader.’ These luncheons provide our young Catholic school leaders the opportunity to think deeply about important topics through discussion and Q&A with Rev Anthony Fisher OP. The day highlighted the profound impact young leaders can have on their community and encouraged them to continue to serve our community grounded in faith. Thank you Melodie and Gabrielle!
In our Curriculum ……
Year 12 Studies of Religion Excursion
On Monday, Year 12 Studies Of Religion students travelled to the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra. We spent the morning expanding on the knowledge stemming from the study of Judaism, and within this, synagogue services. Rabbi, Sam Zwarenstein, spoke to the students about the significance of the Torah, the different variants of Judaism, and his personal experience of growing up as a conservative Jew.
When entering the beautiful synagogue students were able to identify the specific symbols and features. Year 12 students observed the Torah ark facing the north, towards Jerusalem as they do in all synagogues in the Southern Hemisphere. The progressive stream of Judaism was embodied through the inscriptions on the synagogue walls which had both Hebrew scripture and the English translations. Having these inscriptions on the walls welcomes all individuals, not just adherents of Judaism, therefore showing the progressive nature of Emanuel Synagogue. Students were given the opportunity to see and touch the back of the Torah, which inscribes the Hebrew teaching, direction, guidance, and law.
It was a very informative and sacred experience, to see the Jewish synagogue and deepen our communities knowledge on our study of Judaism in Studies Of Religion. Visiting Emanuel synagogue was an eye-opening experience which enabled Year 12 to embrace the dynamic Jewish congregation committed to the Hebrew tradition.
Year 8 Religious Education
This week we highlight the fantastic work Year 8 are applying in their Religious Education classes. Throughout this term, Year 8 students have been exploring the unit; Disciples, Martyrs & Witnesses to the Faith frameworked on Rom 5: 8; “But God proves his love for us”.
In this unit students will examine the life of the early Christian communities, which began with the disciples emboldened by the Spirit at the first Pentecost. Students come to an understanding of the key events and people whose influence shaped Christianity, including Paul’s role as the ‘Apostle to the Gentiles’, and they will examine the men and women who were martyred and persecuted as witnesses to the faith. Students will be challenged to reflect upon the role of the Spirit in their life and the enduring challenges for all Christians. To achieve this, students have been consolidating their knowledge, values and skills through activities such as a song analysis on ‘Christ is Risen’ by Matt Maher, a study of the like of St. Stephen Martyr and group work presentations on Contemporary Christian Witnesses.
Thank you to Year 8 for your efforts. Thank you to our teaching team for their continued commitment and dedication to Year 8; Ms. Leoni Hopkins, Mr. Federico Manica, Ms. Rosario Poli and Ms. Rebecca Bombaci.
Events from the Archdiocese
This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2
