From the Religious Education Coordinator

In our Church ……

Saints Joachim and Anne

On the 26th July, The Church celebrated the life of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, Jesus’ grandparents- Mary’s parents. In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names “Joachim” and “Anne” come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died.

The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past.

We believe that Jesus is truly God and truly human, and this feast of his grandparents is a testimony to that faith. While the names Joachim and Anne may be legendary, we know that Jesus had grandparents in the parents of Mary (as well as those of Saint Joseph). Our God truly became human and lived among us. (taken from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-joachim-and-anne)

A Prayer to Saint Anne and Saint Joachim

Saint Anne and Saint Joachim,
you were ever faithful to God, trusting in Him in your lives and while you prayed for a child.
Your patience and perseverance in prayer are an example to us.
We ask that you pray for us, that we may be ever faithful and trusting in God.
May our love for God and our faith in Him never waiver, no matter what happens in our lives. 
May we appreciate the faith of others like Saint Anne and Saint Joachim and
be inspired to a deeper faith. 
Saints Anne and Joachim, thank you for your example of faith.
Thank you for your wonderful daughter, our spiritual mother Mary.
Thank you for the love of God and the faith you inspire in us.
Grandparents of Jesus, 
All respond: pray for us 
Parents to Mary,
All respond: pray for us

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, 28th July

Pope Francis decided in 2021 to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. He was moved to establish it not just because of the importance of grandparents and the elderly, a theme on which he has often spoken, but particularly because of the neglect and isolation so many grandparents and seniors experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions, nursing-home policies and fear for their safety prevented their being visited and embraced by their loved ones. 

Pope Francis hopes that, on this day, grandchildren will visit their grandparents, perhaps even sharing with them a copy of his letter, and that parish families will have special Masses thanking God for the gift of grandparents, praying for them, and entrusting to him those who have died, particularly during the pandemic. 

The choice of the fourth Sunday of July is transparently to connect it, as closely as possible, to the July 26 feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. This link to Jesus’ family tree and to salvation history suggests that everyone’s genealogy and personal prehistory is part of the providential plan of God. 

Pope Francis, in his message used the quote “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20) summoning grandparents to recognize and be renewed in their sacred calling to be guardians of the connection between their family’s history and salvation history and to pass on to younger generations a clear awareness of their place in the bigger picture. (from https://www.ncregister.com/blog/world-day-of-grandparents-and-elderly-fourth-sunday-of-july) MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS  FOR THE FIRST WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY  

In our Community ……

CAMBODIA IMMERSION 

A huge thank you to Ms Samantha Ison and Mr Andy D’Archy for experiencing this wonderful immersion with the students.  I would like to thank Catholic Mission for organising and leading the immersion.  Also a big thank you to the families that put their trust in the College and Catholic Mission to allow their daughters to experience this amazing opportunity. And lastly, to the students:  Edie Riley, Catherine Davis, Amelie Gomez-Nielwolik, Kayla Staniforth, Bianca Magner, Sophie Scoullar, Georgia Sherry, Audrey Williams, Lucy Mutimer, Elka Byczkov, Samara Naidu and Ellie Pondekas for having the courage to step outside their comfort zone and immerse themselves in the Cambodian culture.

YEAR 9 REFLECTION DAY

On Friday, the Year 9 students experienced their wonderful Reflection Day at Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill. The theme of the day was Courage with a focus on the question: What are you discussing on your journey?  

This day, inspired by the scripture passage ‘The Walk to Emmaus’ Lk 24: 13-35 invited students to reflect on their own journey throughout their time at Marist Sisters’ College.

The Year 9 students were asked to focus on the following: “we need many things when we embark on a journey, some are practical, some are physical, some are emotional, spiritual.  Sometimes our needs change, mid journey…we need to be adaptable, careful, be active listeners.

“Year 9 had a wonderful day full of activities during Reflection Day at Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill. Through the days’ theme on “Courage” a dimension of our College Compass, we were able to reflect on our obstacles courageously which allowed us to share, connect and build relationships with our peers and teachers.” – Year 9 Student

I would like to thank all the staff who attended the day and ran small groups: Ms Samantha Ison, Ms Jenny Vu, Ms Adrianna Tesoriero, Mr Liam Story, Ms Laura Marshall, Ms Nicola Savvidis, Mr Joshua Allen, Ms Chanel Basha, Ms Rosario Poli, Ms Tanya Guinness and Ms Aleksandra Bridge. A huge thank you for being such a wonderful team and for all your support throughout the day.

This coming Monday, our Year 12 students will commence two weeks of Trial HSC Examinations. As a Marist Sisters’ College Community, we will keep them in our prayers for what can be a stressful and anxious time:

Dear Lord,

We ask for your blessing on our students undertaking their Trial HSC Examinations over the coming weeks. Grant them the confidence they deserve from their years of diligent study. Grant them the ability to comprehend questions and effectively plan and articulate their responses. May they be enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge. May their faith and piety give them the strength to face these examinations and the satisfaction of achieving their personal best.

We ask these things through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

We wish our Year 12 students all the best!

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